Kelly Pavlik will put his WBC and WBO middleweight titles on the lilne against Sergio Martinez of Argentina in Atlantic City on April 17.
Middleweight champion to defend belts against veteran
Kelly Pavlik will put his WBC and WBO middleweight titles on the line against Sergio Martinez of Argentina in Atlantic City on April 17.
The Ghost, 36-1, is still trying to rebuild his reputation following the first defeat of his career to Bernard Hopkins in 2008 and an injury hit last 12 months.
However, he did manage to defend the belts on two occasions in 2009, retiring Marco Antonio Rubio in nine rounds before advertising his renowned power against Miguel Angel Espino in December, stopping him inside five.
"I have no doubts at all about taking this fight," said Pavlik, who was attending Manny Pacquiao's victory over Joshua Clottey in Dallas on Saturday night.
"It is great to be back in training and it is great to be defending my titles in Atlantic City where my world title reign began."
His 35-year-old opponent has enjoyed an honourable career at light-middleweight, where he currently holds the interim WBC title, but comes into the fight off the back of a points loss to the undefeated Paul Williams.
"This is the fight of my life so I plan to take full advantage of it," said Martinez, who is based in Spain. "I am a much better fighter than before and I will win by a knockout."
