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Pavlik set for Espino test
World middleweight champ to return in December
Last updated: 25th November 2009 
Pavlik: Set to return
I'm not going to allow Espino to be the Grinch who took my world title.
Kelly Pavlik
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Kelly Pavlik will put his WBO and WBC middleweight titles on the line against Miguel Espino in December.
Pavlik was twice forced to pull out scheduled fights with Paul Williams with an injured hand.
However Pavlik insists he is fit and raring to go against Espino at Youngstown State University on Saturday, December 19.
"It's great to be back training and it's great to be defending my titles in Youngstown," said Pavlik.
"Jack Loew and I are taking nothing for granted which is why we decided to set up training in Las Vegas.
"We are 110 per cent focused on Espino and the best way to avoid the distractions of the holidays is to isolate ourselves in the desert. I'm not going to allow Espino to be the Grinch who took my world title."
Grateful
Espino, who starred in the reality show The Contender back in 2004, comes into the fight on the back of a sixth-round stoppage of former two-time light-middleweight world champion Alejandro Garcia.
And the 29-year-old from North Hollywood is determined to take his chance.
"I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it," said Espino.
"All fighters dream of the chance to fight for a world title and now I am living that dream.
"I know I am the underdog in this fight but that is what is inspiring me. No sacrifice will be too large in preparing for this fight. If Pavlik takes me lightly he'll be making a big mistake."
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Comments (9)
Kailash Kohli says...
i agree with lee. pavlik fights nobodys. u only have to look at what happened when he fought hopkins. I know he moved up in weight, but he proved he cant mix it with the big boys.
Posted 01:20 28th November 2009
J C says...
Pavlik twice pulls out of fighting Williams, the 2nd of these being scheduled for Dec 5th. However he miraculously is 'fit and raring to go' only two weeks later to fight Espino who you have to say he has a much better chance of beating. Unless he steps up to the plate to fight the likes of Williams in 2010 then he'll be a champion lacking credibility. Poor Paul Williams, once again the man no one wants to fight because his awkward style makes him a risk.
Posted 08:32 27th November 2009
Steven Hannigan says...
very clever pavlik supposedly pulling out with an injured hand against paul williams who would nondoubt beat him, then fighting someone he knows he can beat that beating by hopkins has shattered him mark my words he will never be the same fighter. ste liverpool
Posted 22:52 26th November 2009
Lloyd Berrill says...
hate to say it but pavlick not as good as america make out. one dimentional and any boxer with half a brain would just move,hold an jab an pick up a points win.(h-hop) i hope i'm wrong cause i like the feel good factor off the pavlick story. let's hope the willams fight happends cause mayweather won't take a chance on the big WELTERWEIGHT
Posted 13:55 25th November 2009
Mark Twine says...
Pavlik is a joke, Continously pulls out of fights with people he knows will beat him like laul williams. Didnt have the ball sto go into the super six because he knows he would of been shown up. Really hope he one day actually get the guts to face williams because williams will tear him apart
Posted 12:03 25th November 2009
Jag Singh says...
well well well looks like another case of lets dodge the dark horse paul williams for some reason everyone seems to want to dodge him and make excuses as to why they shouldnt fight him citing he is not a big name so wont draw the money. A warning message to pacman mayweather mosly you can run but certainly not hide
Posted 11:39 25th November 2009
Lee Moore says...
pavlik fighting another no one he realy is apretend champ should of went in the super6 like arthur abraham moveing up in weight should be stripped as champ if he ever gets in with williams hes taken a brutal beat down
Posted 11:19 25th November 2009
Dwain Clark says...
I wonder what Espino thinks about the possibility of the fight actually happening. If i were him, i'd always have doubts about it and think Pavlik will pull out. If he has this attitude then he won't train as hard and will probably get knocked out. Well, he'll probably get knocked out anyway.
Posted 09:38 25th November 2009
Nick Mcevoy says...
Will Sky sports be showing the fight on 19th December?
Posted 08:41 25th November 2009