KELLY "THE GHOST" PAVLIK AND BERNARD "THE EXECUTIONER" HOPKINS SET TO FACEOFF IN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
When a powerful young champion and devastating knock-out artist meets a future Hall of Fame boxing legend and two-division world champion who has never been knocked out, there will be plenty of debate and speculation as to who will win. That will definitely be the case when Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik faces Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins in a light heavyweight battle at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on Saturday October 18.
"Kelly Pavlik is a perfect opponent for me," proclaimed Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs), who is training in Miami. "He comes forward, and he's coming to knock me out early. But he only has one bullet in the chamber. If he thinks he is going to knock me out with a right hand, he is a damn fool."
The veteran middleweight and light heavyweight champion gave Pavlik his props, but he also was quick to point out that at his age, 43, he has all the experience in the world. According to Hopkins, the 26-year-old Pavlik has not met the quality of opponents listed on Hopkins' 20-year ring résumé.
"I respect Kelly Pavlik because he came up through the era in his own way," said Hopkins, who referred to Pavlik's hometown as Columbus instead of Youngstown. "I recognize that I have to make it a long, punishing fight for him. He's not going to run. But he will fall into the hands of 'The Executioner.' "
Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) will not have his World Boxing Council or World Boxing Organization middleweight titles at stake, as this fight has been set for the catch weight of 170 pounds. Going 10 pounds over the middleweight limit will not be a problem, according to Pavlik, and neither will any below-the-belt tactics from the older fighter.
"I'm not going to give him a chance to get a hold on me," said Pavlik, finishing camp in Youngstown, OH. "He's never fought a guy with my size and strength. If he tries to start roughhousing, it goes both ways."
Pavlik said he has not been slowed by an injured left elbow he hurt while sparring a month ago.
"It was a little bruise," he said. "Nothing a little ice didn't fix."
Hopkins, who lost his first professional bout in Atlantic City on Oct. 11, 1988, said this could be his last ring appearance.
"I'm not putting the cart in front of the horse," said Hopkins. "People are going to see an expert at his craft. Enjoy me while I'm here. I'm going to enjoy Oct. 18. Bernard Hopkins will show he is one of the greats."
Pavlik is a 4-to-1 favorite. . . . The fight telecast on HBO pay-per-view will begin at 9 p.m. and cost $49.95.
*Personally, I'm interested in this fight as it pits the young up-and-coming Pavlik against a legend in Hopkins. Pavlik is also a local favorite as he is from Youngstown, Ohio.
