The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Pavlik finalises deal to fight Hopkins

Boxer Bernard Hopkins

las vegas (ap)

Unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has finalised a deal to fight long-time titlist Bernard Hopkins on October 18 in Atlantic City, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said yesterday.

Arum is ambivalent about making the bout between Pavlik and Hopkins, the cagey 43-year-old boxer who lost a narrow decision to Joe Calzaghe in April. But after potential match-ups with Calzaghe and Arthur Abraham fell through, Arum and Pavlik decided to move up in weight to face a famous opponent who specialises in messy, defensive fights.

Looking for a big fight

"Kelly was looking for a big fight, and there was nobody around that qualified as a big fight," Arum said. "Even though we're not thrilled about fighting at 170 pounds (77 kilos), (Hopkins) was the only alternative."

Pavlik, who battered Gary Lockett in his first title defence in June, had hoped for a super middleweight (76 kilos, 168 pounds) match-up with fellow unbeaten champion Calzaghe, but the Welshman instead accepted a less daunting fight with veteran Roy Jones Jr. That fight likely will be held November 8 in New York after Calzaghe recently sprained his right wrist in training.

Pavlik, who holds the WBC and WBO middleweight belts, also craves a unification bout with IBF middleweight champion Abraham. But the German fighter must meet mandatory challenger Raul Marquez this fall.

Impressive athlete

Kelly Pavlik - ap

Though Hopkins isn't a strong pay-per-view television draw in the United States or a particularly exciting fighter, he's still an impressive athlete and a defensive mastermind who will test Pavlik's discipline and resourcefulness.

"Kelly realised that since Hopkins has given everyone else trouble, that if Kelly disposes of him and knocks him out, it will be a feather in Kelly's cap," Arum said.

After revitalising his career with upset victories over Antonio Tarver and Wright, Hopkins dropped a split decision to Calzaghe in April in Las Vegas, losing his light heavyweight title despite knocking down Calzaghe in the first round. Hopkins, who faded in the late rounds, repeatedly has insisted he was robbed.