Mancini: fan of England

Myself and Ian Darke were of course working, but once our professional duties were over, we joined the Pavlik camp and couldn't help but get carried away with the mood. At one stage we managed a rendition of 'there's only one Kelly Pavlik', and were delighted when the chant was picked up by the rest of the bar!

Glenn McCrory
Quotes of the week

Also see

• From Taylor to Tyson
• Homeboy away from home

What a fight! Saturday night at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City was as good as it gets.

I had a feeling that Kelly Pavlik would win and I was delighted to be proved right. Particularly after that second round, when he was, to all intents and purposes, finished.

There was no doubt Jermain Taylor came to the ring more pumped up than we've ever seen him, and it showed. Pavlik won the fight with a tremendous finish in the seventh, but it was that second round that was the turning point - and showed the difference between the two fighters.

Pavlik really was out on his feet, but somehow had the wherewithal to hold on, buy some time and make the bell. When the tables were turned on Taylor in the seventh, he didn't know what to do. Maybe it is because he has never had a tough fight, I don't know.

What he did tell us was that that second round really got to him. It still looked to me like Taylor was in control of the fight, but afterwards he admitted he was struggling from then on. A really good fighter would've jumped on Pavlik and finished him off, but Taylor didn't.

And when he saw him get back up and recover, it clearly shocked him. He must have been thinking 'what do I have to do to get rid of this guy?' and by his own admission, his confidence drained away. It was a great insight into a fighter's mind and shows just what a fine line they tread.

What next for Pavlik, I'm not sure. He really struggled to make the weight and I know he has been invited to sit ringside for Joe Calzaghe-Mikkel Kessler in November. I'm not sure it is right for him to move up to super-middle just yet, so middleweight unification beckons.

He deserves whatever luck he gets though. The fight was called 'Throwback' and in no way was that a reference to Jermain Taylor! It was all about Pavlik and he didn't disappoint anybody - before, during or after the fight.

I can confirm that the celebrations on Saturday night were every bit as good as the action. Around 5,000 people had made the trip from Youngstown, Ohio, to cheer Pavlik on, and boy did they enjoy the party!

Rendition

Myself and Ian Darke were of course working, but once our professional duties were over, we joined the Pavlik camp and couldn't help but get carried away with the mood. At one stage we managed a rendition of 'there's only one Kelly Pavlik', and were delighted when the chant was picked up by the rest of the bar!

It topped a great weekend. The Boardwalk was jam-packed and everywhere you turned there was a boxing legend, former heavyweight champ or famous face. Larry Holmes was there and Tim Witherspoon, who I met all those years ago when I was over to spar with Mike Tyson, and Lennox Lewis both gave me a big bearhug - and I've got to admit, even now, I still have to pinch myself when these guys know me!

Never mind the best job in boxing, never mind the best job in sport, being ringside at these nights has to go down as the best job there is full-stop!

The highlight outside the ring though, was definitely meeting the great Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini. He heralds from the same town as Pavlik so was cheering the local boy on, but all he really wanted to talk about was England!

Ray loves our country and he spent plenty of time telling me about his favourite fish and chip shop in Yorkshire, asking me if I knew this pub or that pub in Cambridge. I didn't, but it was a pleasure to talk to a legend and learn how much he loves it over here.

Under-estimating

One of our own, Ricky Hatton, was also the subject on everybody's lips. It was great to hear the American writers and boxing people talking about nothing else. And I get the feeling they are all under-estimating Ricky. They think he's a rugged, all-action fighter and they love him for that, but I didn't hear too many people praising his boxing skills.

But there were also plenty of doubts about Floyd Mayweather and his Dancing With The Stars (he was voted back in).

The Americans think it shows he is not giving Hatton his all and I think they may be right. But to a man, they recognise his boxing ability and plenty of people pointed out how, even against the very best around, he has barely moved out of second gear.

He is not the most popular fighter in the States though (to put it mildly!) and I have a feeling Ricky will have a few more fans than people - not least Floyd - are expecting.