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ARUM SAYS PAVLIK IS LOOKING GREAT By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Thu, 17 Dec 2009  Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says WBC middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs), of Youngstown, Ohio, who defends his title against the WBC’s No. 3-rated contender Miguel Espino (20-2-1, 9 KOs), of North Hollywood, Calif., at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center is “looking great” judging by the reports he’s been getting. Arum spoke to us after arriving in Pavlik’s hometown of Youngstown and said the fight was “going very well” and although he did see Pavlik work out he was told that “he was really smashing the mitts and everything looked great.” In an innovative move the Pavlik-Espino world title fight will headline a two-country world championship doubleheader that will be telecast in the Philippines by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN “Live” over Studio 23. After a media workout at Jack Loew’s South Side Boxing Club in Youngstown, Pavlik bragged that Espino “is in for a butt whipping. I’m back and I’m 100%. My sparring partners have told me I’m hitting as hard as I ever have. My hand feels great. During my first sparring session I took it easy, but when I felt no pain, I switched to normal sparring gloves and never looked back. I don’t think the layoff was a detriment to me. I just wish it had been for a different reason. But I feel excited and refreshed. My weight is on target and I’m raring to go. As the saying goes, ‘There’s no place like home.’ Making my return in Youngstown in front of family and friends is just what the doctor ordered.” Trainer Jack Leow said “the snap in Kelly’s punches is back. Over the past seven day of training Kelly has returned to his world championship form.” Taking off like a regular stand-up comedian, Leow said “ Kelly is ready to drop Espino more times than Tiger Woods’ trousers!” Espino acknowledged the fact that he is an underdog in the fight but made it clear “ That doesn’t bother me. It never has. I’ve been training to win this fight. I’ve been training to become a world champion. My trainer John Bray and I have not wasted one moment of training camp.” Espino conceded “ It’s a tough fight, perhaps the toughest I’ve ever had. But I have full confidence in my abilities as a fighter. If Kelly has chosen to take me lightly, he’s made a big mistake. I can’t wait until Saturday night.” Trainer John Bray who has been with ERspino for the past ten years said this was “ by far his best training camp. He won’t be overwhelmed by the experience, he will embrace it. We are very appreciative for this opportunity and we intend to make the most of it. Kelly Pavlik is a very talented fighter. He is a good champion, a strong champion. But we have prepared well. Miguel is ready. This is going to be a great fight and a great night for boxing.” Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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