By James Slater – It was reported by a number of sources a while back how former middleweight king Kelly Pavlik will box on the under-card of the upcoming Nov. 13th Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito bill, but no mention was made of just who “The Ghost” would fight. Well, according to the man with all the hot news, Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Pavlik, in what will be his first fight back since losing on points to Sergio Gabriel Martinez, could face Daniel Edouard in Texas.
The fight, in the works for a catch-weight limit of 164-pounds, would see Pavlik in against a once highly-touted prospect who lost his way a little after an initial 16 pro wins and a couple of draws. Known as “The Haitian Sensation,” Edouard, a fine amateur who earned unpaid wins over good names Steve Cunningham and Chris Henry, is currently 23-3-2(14).
Turning pro in 2002, the 29-year-old lost his first major fight, when he was taken out inside three-rounds by future world middleweight king Jermain Taylor in February of 2005 – on the under-card of the Bernard Hopkins-Howard Eastman card in Los Angeles. Since then, the Haitian has boxed at both 154 and 160-pounds, and he has fought nine times – winning seven and losing two..
Eromosele Albert stopped him in the 7th-round down at light-middleweight in July of 2007, and after five quick KO wins, most of them at 160, Edouard lost a split decision to Alfonso Mosquera this past July. Against the returning Pavlik, 36-2(32) the man who lives in Florida will have one huge chance to finally break into the big time. But against the 28-year-old from Youngstown, Edouard will be up against it in a big way.
Pavlik, a monstrous puncher, is anxious to get back into winning form since suffering that decision loss to Martinez, and against the smaller (5,10”) Edouard his long-armed punches will have a real chance of getting him a KO victory. Edouard has an okay chin and he has speed and power of his own, but it would be some big upset if he were to hand Pavlik his third pro loss. The slightly older man has been in action recently, though, so he will at least be sharp and in fighting shape.
Pavlik and his team could have picked a tougher “comeback” foe for November, but they could also have picked a much softer touch. Who knows, maybe Edouard will really get motivated and rise to the occasion against the former champion. He’ll need to to make the fight competitive.
If this match-up goes ahead, look for “The Ghost” to score a mid-rounds stoppage win.