Steve Collins vs Kelly Pavlik

Who wins?

 

Tough fight to call IMO

Pavlik's main weapons are his power shots and his ability to throw straight combinations whilst getting in and out of range, as well as being an excellent finisher once his man is hurt.

However, Collins had a chin like granite, and it is likely that he would have been able to withstand the best shots Kelly had to throw. Collins was also a very strong and tough fighter who threw powerful shots of his own.

I could honestly see Kelly winning the first few rounds by landing solid bombs, but he might become disheartened as the fight progresses and Collins keeps on coming through the best shots Pavlik can land, allowing Collins to win most of the late rounds on the way to a pretty close and potentially controversial decision.

MTF

 

Collins had a good chin, but it wasnt Chavez-like. He could be hurt. eubank put him down, and hurt him, and Pavlik hits harder than Chris. So no I dont think Collins would just eat up Pavlik's best shots like nothing. You are right about the strenth factor however. Collins was a bull. Arguably stronger than Kelly, making this a tough fight to pick.

 

Really? Eubank had very, VERY underestimated power.

Benn hit Collins with all he had and wrapped it all in at the end of 4 and 6. He may well have been completely shot, but he was a puncher to the end and Collins never budged.

I'm not pretending that Steve is some kind of unhurtable beast, but even McCallum said that Collins was 'the toughest SOB he ever fought'. The bugger could really take a shot. I can't see that Pavlik hits as hard as Benn at 160, and if Benn couldn't hurt Steve, why should Kelly?

Collins by tight and tough SD still for me Xplosive...