Pavlik agrees Hopkins fight
Mouth-watering match-up to take place at catchweight
Last updated: 22nd July 2008
World middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will take on veteran Bernard Hopkins in a non-title fight in Atlantic City on October 18.
Pavlik, who took over the linear crown previously held by Hopkins when he defeated Jermain Taylor last year, will take on the 43-year-old at a catchweight of 170lbs - six pounds more than when he beat Taylor in their February rematch.
'The Ghost' from Ohio has since defeated Welshman Gary Lockett in a mandatory defence but has regularly vowed to take on all-comers - and is certainly walking the walk after agreeing to fight Hall of Famer Hopkins.
The ring legend, now firmly in the twilight of his career, is coming off a narrow points defeat to Joe Calzaghe in April but will have a natural weight advantage over the unbeaten Pavlik, having now fought three times at 170lbs or more.
However, Pavlik is one of the hardest hitters in the game with 30 of his 34 wins coming by stoppage, and the scalp of Hopkins would only add to his fast-growing reputation.
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Comments
Eric Healy says...
hopefully if palvik beets hopkins it will open a match for calzaghie v pavlik. andy lee is very good also give him tome and he will be taking on pavlik himself
Posted 14:19 22nd July 2008
Adam Healey says...
Pavlik will stop B-Hop in six rounds. B-Hop is well over the hill, whereas Pavlik is in his prime. Come on Kelly!
Posted 13:17 22nd July 2008
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