KELLY PAVLIK: KING ARTHUR ABRAHAM’S GHOST
Bleacher Report
July 04, 2009
Undefeated middleweight, King Arthur Abraham 30-0, 24 KO’s-who owns
an alphabet version of the title-was suspiciously in support of his
fellow pugilist, and Ring Magazine 160 lb titlist, Kelly Pavlik,
in Pavlik’s October ’08 match-up with the treacherous and seemingly
ageless Bernard Hopkins.
No, it’s not because the Armenian-German boxer had suddenly become
a fan of the Youngstown Ohio native, it’s simply that King Abraham
had some very important future interests in Pavlik.
"I have a lot of respect for both fighters," King Arthur
said. "Normally I’d say the better man should win, but in this case
I am supporting Pavlik for a reason."
"I want to be the first man to defeat him. I want to fight him as
soon as possible to unify the titles. I will even come to his home
city to prove that I am the world´s best middleweight boxer!"
That was almost 9 months ago, and most fans are well aware of Pavlik’s
"woodshed style" beating last fall at the hands of Hopkins; however,
The Ghost and his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank are attempting to
remain invisible to the No.1 Ranked Abraham.
Arum spoke to Setanta Sports news recently and revealed the news of a
match-up between Pavlik and granite-chinned-super-middleweight-champion
Englis hman Carl Froch, not a word however, in regards to fighting
the Armenian.
"That is absolutely true, we have discussed Pavlik fighting Felix
Sturm in the fall; and then early as next year, perhaps as early as
the end of January, fighting Froch."
In addition, the reports state that Froch may defend his super
middleweight title against Pavlik.
In this writers opinion, The Ghost has about as much chance of beating
Froch as Jermain Taylor did. It’s possible, but not likely.
Pavlik is slow, awkward and fights off balance, and correct me here
if I’m out of line, but it seems that Arum is trying his elusive best
to keep The Ghost from being detected by fighters like King Abraham.
The King could easily steal Pavlik’s middleweight crown; which would
ultimately take him out of the big money picture. Having no Ghost,
would undoubtedly cause Arum to endure promotional nightmares instead
of middleweight dream-fights.
Arum has long been talking big-fights for Pavlik, however, talk is
cheap, his actions prove otherwise, he has done nothing to make a
Pavlik-Abraham fight happen; a number of other good names, like Winky
Wright or Anthony Mundine, remain unmentioned as well.
My guess is that, with Pavlik set to sign a two-year extension with
Top Rank, Arum needs to talk a big game to ensure Pavlik stays put,
and scratches his John Henry on the contractual dotted line.
Froch is set to face 24-0 Lucian Bute next, Bute-born in Pechea,
Galaþi County, Romania, is currently living and fighting out of
Montreal, here in Canada.
Bute is as yet undefeated. He can bang; and he is also a highly
regarded south-paw slugger not to be taken lightly, so my advice to
Arum is not to count his chickens before they hatch.
Froch may not be the champion come 2010.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress