Pavlik relishing return

Pavlik: Back in action

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Kelly Pavlik is desperate to win, and win in style as he makes his long-awaited return to the ring against Miguel Angel Espino on Saturday.

The WBC and WBO middleweight champion has been out of action for 10 months with an injured hand, which then became infected.

'The Ghost' last fought against Marco Antonio Rubio when he completed a ninth round stoppage, and he is relishing his ring return.

Pavlik knows that after missing out for so long he needs an emphatic victory to bounce back with.

"Winning is not enough," Pavlik told reporters at this week's final news conference. "I need to be dominant and I need to be impressive.

Mission

"I know what the mission is and I have every intention of completing it.

"It's been a long year for me, very frustrating. First it was a hand injury, then it was an infection, then it was a bad reaction to the antibiotic. And then rehab therapy for the original injury."

Pavlik has been forced to miss two scheduled fights with compatriot Paul Williams due to his injuries, and now faces a mandatory challenger in Espino.

The 27-year-old will be fighting in his home town of Youngstown, Ohio, and he says Espino will be in for a tough night as he vents his frustration.

"I have a huge hunger to get back into the ring," he added. "Espino is in for a butt whipping. My sparring partners have told me I'm hitting as hard as I ever have. My hand feels great."

Espino is ranked third by the WBC with a 20-2-1 record but will be fighting for a world title for the first time, and he says he has a plan to defeat Pavlik.

"I know I'm considered an underdog. That doesn't bother me," said the 29-year-old, who was on the reality TV boxing show "The Contender".

"I've been training to win this fight. If Kelly has chosen to take me lightly, he's made a big mistake."