Kelly Pavlik vs. Sergio Martinez: What Each Fighter Needs To Do To Win

Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik

Born: Youngstown, Ohio
Resides: Youngstown, Ohio
Age: 28
Height: 6'2 1/2"
Reach: 75"
Current World Titles Held: Ring Magazine, WBC, WBO Middleweight (160 lbs.)
Former World Titles Held: None
Professional Record: 36-1, 32 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 4-0, 4 KOs
Record at Middleweight: 16-0, 14 KOs
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 1-1

Notable Wins: UD12 Jermain Taylor II , TKO7 Jermain Taylor I, TKO7 Edison Miranda
Notable Loss: UD12 Bernard Hopkins

Sergio Martinez

Born: Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Resides: Madrid, Spain
Age: 35
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 76"
Current World Titles Held: None
Former World Titles Held: None
Professional Record: 44-2-2, 24 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: None
Record at Middleweight: 1-1, 1 KO
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 3-1-1

Notable Losses: MD12 Paul Williams , TKO7 Antonio Margarito

Analysis

Pavlik may be known as "The Ghost," but he's the one who's been haunted for the last two years. After an ill-fated decision to tangle with Bernard Hopkins, a troublesome staph infection and some disturbances in his personal life, he'll probably be relieved that all he has to worry about is a tricky challenger for his middleweight crown.

That would be Martinez, who had a star-crossed year of his own in 2009. First he came out with a majority draw against Kermit Cintron last February in a fight he dominated at times, then he gave Paul Williams all he could handle in December only to see two judges score the bout for his opponent—including one who turned in a ridiculous 119-110 card.

But while his resume might not suggest it at first glance, Martinez should be the biggest test Pavlik has faced since taking the Ring Magazine championship away from Jermain Taylor in 2008. The Argentinian southpaw has quick hands, long arms, superb movement, and just enough pop to keep foes honest if he catches them flush.

Though Hopkins exposed some of the weaknesses in Pavlik's game, exploiting them is difficult for most boxers because he has them under too much pressure. Kelly is at his best when he's stalking his prey, using jabs to set up a variety of power punches and his thunderous right hand. Even if you get to him, a sturdy chin and a tremendous heart await.

Pavlik is synonymous with his hometown, but he'll enjoy rabid crowd support in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. His supporters always travel to the Jersey shore in large numbers, though the venue itself has been the site of both his greatest success and his humbling defeat.

Pavlik's Winning Strategy: Fight Your Own Fight

It's quite possible there are still some lingering mental scars in Pavlik's psyche after he came out on the wrong end of B-Hop's boxing classic. He's won twice since then and appears most comfortable at middleweight, but Martinez is the first fighter he'll face who can pose some of the same problems that Hopkins did.

Still, some is the operative word. Martinez has outstanding lateral movement and slipperiness, but he doesn't share Hopkins' defensive mastery. It's possible for Pavlik to catch him with clean shots if he doesn't get caught up in trying to beat him at his own game.

Pavlik needs to press forward, dictating the action by taking the lead. As long as he doesn't get frustrated and concentrates on what he does well, the Pride of Youngstown should be able to steer the fight into places where his advantage in power can be brought to bear.

Martinez's Winning Strategy: Hit and Split

Sergio opened a lot of eyes by surviving and even thriving within Williams' hurricane of punches. Unfortunately, except for the confidence that comes with knowing you can compete with the best, he can't take many lessons from that fight into this one, because Pavlik is a whole different animal.

Martinez was able to exchange with and even rock Williams, but that may be a losing proposition against Pavlik because one mistake could mean staring up at the lights. The key to an upset will be out-landing the champ on a consistent basis and winning rounds on quantity.

Quick hands and quick feet make a nice team, and Martinez has them both. If he can get off first and dance away before The Ghost can lock in on him, Sergio can score the big breakthrough win that so far has evaded him.

Nick Tylwalk is the editor and co-founder of BoxingWatchers.com . Follow his Twitter feed @Nick_Tylwalk or the site's feed @boxing_watchers .