Special features

Pavlik to fight Espino

Middleweight champion puts titles on the line next month

Last updated: 10th November 2009

Pavlik: Title defence next month

Also see

Kelly Pavlik is set to defend his WBC and WBO middleweight titles against Miguel Espino in the champion's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, on December 19.

The 27-year-old had been scheduled to fight Paul Williams two weeks earlier in Atlantic City but the contest was postponed twice owing to an infection in Pavlik's left hand, before finally being cancelled last month.

It was announced last week that Williams has replaced Pavlik with Argentina's Sergio Martinez for the New Jersey date. However, it is hoped the two can finally meet in 2010 should both win next month.

Espino, 29, has a record of 20 wins (including nine knockouts), with two losses and one draw and has won his last 11 fights in a row.

Pavlik, meanwhile, stands 35 and 1 with 31 knockouts and has not fought since stopping Mexico's Marco Antonio Rubio in the ninth round in February.

That victory came after he suffered his only loss in October of last year in Atlantic City - Pavlik losing a unanimous decision to Bernard Hopkins after moving up to light heavyweight for a non-title bout.

Live Boxing. Click here to bet.