Pavlik vs. Vera

Is this supposed to be a crossroads fight for Kelly? I love all the drama that’s being played out for Kelly Pavlik’s next fight against journeyman Brian Vera (17-5, 11 KO’s) on November 13th at the Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington. This is supposed to be a do-or-die bout for Pavlik, and one that will show what that he can still be a factor in the middleweight and/or the super middleweight division. Who are they trying to kid? Vera has lost four out of his last five fights and is about as stationary a fighter as they come.

This guy is probably the most perfect opponent for Pavlik that’s ever been set up for him. If Pavlik can’t beat this guy, then he really needs to retire. But let’s not kid ourselves, a win over Vera will prove nothing for Pavlik, other then the fact that he can beat a plodder that stands right in front of him. That’s not Pavlik’s problem. His problem is that he can’t seem to beat fighters that use any kind of movement against.

It doesn’t matter how old they are, if they use movement, Pavlik is royally screwed. And with Pavlik now kicking around the idea of moving up to the super middleweight division, where the fighters are faster, better boxers, bigger and more highly skilled than the guys that Pavlik has been facing at middleweight, he’s almost doomed. It’s nice that Pavlik’s promoter has set him up with a guy that he can actually beat, but this fight won’t prove anything other than he can beat a guy that’s lost four out of his last five fights.

I frankly can’t believe the Pavlik-Vera fight is the co-main event of a $55 pay per view fight card. That fight is a sickening mismatch, and I can’t see how boxing fans would be able to see that fight and feel like they were entertained. I don’t understand how Pavlik, coming off a loss to Sergio Martinez, is the co-main even fighter. But since they are making him the co-main event on an super expensive PPV with Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito, why didn’t they match Pavlik up with a better fighter than Vera?

I don’t care if Vera will make it interesting for a few rounds because he’ll trade with Pavlik. Vera isn’t in his league and beating this guy won’t prove anything about Pavlik, aside from the fact that he’s good at beating lesser fighters. That’s been Pavlik’s problem since he captured the WBC/WBO middleweight titles in 2007. Pavlik hasn’t fought anybody other than Martinez and Bernard Hopkins, both of which beat him badly. Why then is Pavlik being matched up with yet another soft opponent? Shouldn’t he be put in with the kind of fighter that he typically has problems with? This is a waste of a fight.

But watching Pacquiao vs Margarito Fight will be more interesting. See you there!

Credits: boxingnews24 By Chris Williams