Kelly Pavlik: The Savior of American Boxing

There is no doubt that boxing has lost a significant percentage of its fan base over the past few years, ever since...well...when there was no longer a top American Heavyweight.  Even when Lennox Lewis, the last universally recognized heavyweight champion, reigned in the division, Americans began to lose interest in boxing.

However over the past two years there has been resurgence in the sport, even with the ever-growing popularity of MMA.  But while diehard boxing fans are as excited as ever, boxing has yet to grasp the attention of the average person.

Lately there has been a slow increase in boxing's popularity thanks to some unbelievable fights such as Margarito vs. Cotto, Pacquiao vs. J.M. Marquez, and Vazquez vs. R. Marquez.  Not to mention the super fight between Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya.

However, except for the now retired Mayweather, none of these fighters are American born and raised.

I was floored when I first heard Pavlik was fighting Hopkins. I gave a couple of loud groans, and then groaned even louder when I found out that it would be televised on HBO PPV. 

For all you sports fans who are not so knowledgeable when it comes to boxing, Bernard Hopkins' latest fights have been as exciting as watching paint dry.

He is a genius when it comes to his defense, however his alias "The Executioner" is a complete overstatement.  The only people he could possibly execute are boxing fans who want to be entertained.

Don't get me wrong, Bernard is a hall of fame boxer. However, his style is just not fan-friendly.

At the ripe age of 43, Bernard Hopkins is no spring chicken and no longer is he knock out oriented.  His recent fight against Joe Calzaghe (lost by split decision) is a perfect example of his fighting style over the past few years.

Through clinching and an excellent defense he conserves enough energy where he can throw spurts of punches in bunches, and then retreat to his defensive style.  His decrease in energy can be a result of his age. 

Kelly Pavlik is the complete opposite.  I would pay almost anything to see Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik fight (which is why I will probably buy the PPV fight).

America, you are not going to get a great Heavyweight champion any time soon, but will a fan-friendly, blue collar, middleweight suffice?

Pavlik who is the Ring MagazineMiddleweight champion has a perfect record of 34 wins with 30 KOs.  He always keeps coming forward against his opponent and is willing to fight anyone.  He has a solid defense, but is not afraid to take a punch to give two. 

So why is Pavlik the savior of American boxing?  If he wins, especially by KO, he will rise high in the pound for pound rankings.  And with the retirement of Floyd Mayweather, he may become the highest ranking American boxer.

He has an underdog growing up and living in Youngstown, Ohio, which just makes him even more popular.

If, however, the wily old veteran Hopkins wins, then American boxing fans' only hope is in…well…an old man who one day will be in just those just for men commercials.

So for the sake of American boxing fans and all boxing fans in general, Pavlik needs to win, and hopefully by KO.