MSG June 7th - Pavlik-Duddy, Abraham-Lorenzo, JuanMa, Calderon...

Arum eyeing MSG for Pavlik title defense with Duddy


Although middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has a rematch on Feb. 16 with former champion Jermain Taylor, it will take place at 166 pounds, as per Taylor's rematch clause from their original contract.

That means even if Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) loses, he will still be the middleweight champ, and promoter Bob Arum is already looking ahead to Pavlik's first defense.

Arum told ESPN.com Thursday that he is planning that fight for Madison Square Garden on June 7, the night before the annual Puerto Rican Day parade in New York.

That has been the traditional date for another of Arum's stars, welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto. However, because Cotto will defend his titlte against "Contender" star Alfonso Gomez on April 12, he won't be available in June. So Arum is planning a Pavlik-John Duddy bout in the main event and said he will give the Puerto Rican fans a heavily Puerto Rican undercard, which means fighters such as junior flyweight champ Ivan Calderon and junior featherweight contender Juan Manuel Lopez figure to be on the show. Duddy (23-0, 17 KOs), who is from Ireland but living in New York, is big ticket seller in New York.

"I've met with the Duddy people. We had a nice meeting. He'll be Pavlik's next opponent. They want the fight," Arum said.

Arum added that he has been in conversations with Sauerland Event, the German promoter for middleweight titlist Arthur Abraham (25-0, 20 KOs), who could wind up in the co-feature against Main Events' promoted Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KOs).

"I've talked to Sauerland's people and they'd like to have Abraham fight here," Arum said. "That's how we're moving -- to end up with a Pavlik-Abraham fight. Kelly wants to stay at middleweight in 2008. The only reason we're doing the over-the-weight fight is because of the crazy Taylor people. It's in the contract. We wanted to fight for the title."

HBO has also had conversations about putting Abraham on.

Arum said he has no TV deal in place for Pavlik's first defense but that HBO and Showtime are interested.

"I am in the beautiful position of not having Pavlik tied up with any network," he said. "We'll listen to the best offers and go from there."

Dan Rafael is ESPN.com's boxing writer.


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Sounds like a decent card if it comes off. I'd pay for this shit.

 

I like Abraham-Lorenzo a lot

 

I hope MSG is stocked up on paramedics, and a priest. They'll be needed for Duddy.

 

GOOD Card...

REED has No Problem w/Pavlik Sandwiching Fuddy Duddy N btwn the Taylor RE & a Bout w/Abraham...

The Cat is EXCITING, he Fights OFTEN & he Fights QUALITY Opposition...What's NOT to Like about Kelly Pavlik???...


REED:clap:

 

:laughing: Quote of the year!:bears:

 

What happened to the idea of Pavlik fighting in Ohio. I was actually liking the idea of Roy Jones fighting the winner of Pavlik-Taylor 2.

 

:doh:

 

:clap:

Great fight...

 

Your not a true Roy fan if you like the idea of that. Jones wouldnt have a prayer at beating Pavlik at this stage. It would be a brutal ending to Roy's career.

He's better off taking his chances against the Calzaghe-Hopkins winner, rather than face Kelly.

 

i guess it took 3 years for lorenzo to step up his competition. i thought he had the goods when i first saw him a while back.

 

Pavlik is a MW. Roy should have to move down to 160 and actually do something to deserve a shot at the Champ. Roy is nothing but a circus act right now and he shouldn't be getting any big fights. He should earn one by doing something meaningful.

 

What if Pavlik gets KTFO by Taylor? Does this card still go on?

 

yes....Pavlik will still be the MIDDLEWEIGHT champion of the world.....and would be looking for a tune-up/comeback fight..

 

I fear for Johns health.

 

you should be fearing for Abraham health..he should be next after Duddy...

 

Abraham is a whole fucking light year ahead of Duddy.

You mark my words....if Pavlik looks past Abraham, he'll get his clock cleaned.

 

that Abraham's only chance at beating Pavlik...that the ghost is looking past him...

 

Abraham would have a tough enough time getting past Lorenzo. He shouldn't look past lorenzo thinking that Pavlik would look past him!

If Abraham is on his game, he would be able to stop Lorenzo. He's got a shaky chin.

 

Abraham is guilty of "Mike Granting" it.........he will do the very least possible to KO his man whenever possible....preferring to coast and pick up his decision. The one time he tried to force the issue he got his jaw broke versus Miranda.

 

The fight obviously wouldn't be at 160 it would be at 168-170. It would also make Pavlik his career high paycheck along with making him a superstar if he wins.

 

Someone help me out here. So in the rematch clause with Taylor he actually wanted the rematch to be at 166 pounds where the titles wouldn't be at stake? Why? I am lost with this one.:dunno:

 

He struggles to make weight :dunno:

 

Taylor wanted the increased weight limit.