Kelly Pavlik Will Knockout Sergio Martinez

WBC, WBO and The Ring Magazine middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik is tentatively scheduled to fight WBC super welterweight titlist Sergio Martinez April 17 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

“We’re waiting for Lou (DiBella, Martinez’s promoter) to send back the contract, which he said there are no problems with,” said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Pavlik’s promoter.

“Kelly is on board, and we’re planning a press conference in New York, but HBO wanted us to hold off until after the Olympics. But the fight is agreed to. We’re good on our side and Lou tells me it’s good to go on his side. We’re putting off the press conference strictly because of the Olympics.”

Pavlik (36-1, 32 KOs), whose only loss as a professional came at the hands of legendary pugilist Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs), successfully returned to the ring last December, after two major surgeries on his left hand, with a dominating fifth round TKO victory over Miguel Espino (16-3-1, 8 KOs).

Meanwhile, Martinez (44-2-2, 24 KOs), an Argentinean who is a former WBC Latino and IBO light middleweight champ, lost a close majority decision to Paul Williams (38-1, 27 KOs) on Dec. 5.

“It’s a terrific fight, and I think Kelly is going to win, but we know this is a very tough fight,” said Arum. “But I think that Kelly has the firepower to come through and win the fight.”

Despite his skinny physique, Pavlik, 27, possesses tremendous punching power with both his fists, and he is naturally a far bigger man than Martinez is.

However, 34, Martinez is a muscular and skilled southpaw whose quickness could pose tremendous problems for Pavlik.

“Sergio Martinez is the best 154-pound fighter in the world, but he simply could not turn down an opportunity to take on the true middleweight champion of the world,” said DiBella. “While size is not his advantage, speed is, and sometimes David slays Goliath. This is a big opportunity for him.”

For fans of Pavlik, it is unnerving to realize the severity of his hand problem.

Granted, Pavlik looked relatively sharp against Espino two months ago, and he seemed entirely healed during that bout.

Still, Pavlik’s hand has endured such terrible adversity that, every time he throws a punch with his left, it will be subject to injury for the remainder of his young career.

Pavlik uses his left to jab and establish control of the battle before he launches his devastatingly powerful right.

Provided that “The Ghost’s” hand is again able to endure constant contact, Pavlik should tire Martinez and ultimately overwhelm him with his strength as the fight progresses into the latter rounds.

If the Youngstown, Ohio native has any issues with his surgically-repaired hand, Martinez could easily exploit Pavlik’s weakness and utilize his vast quickness to earn a decision victory.

Sergio Martinez has great capabilities in the ring, and he is a very talented fighter.

Nevertheless, Kelly Pavlik is simply a larger and overall a more talented boxer than Martinez is.

“Sometimes, David slays Goliath.”

Unfortunately for Martinez, more often than not, Goliath crushes David.

Expect Pavlik to emerge victorious against Martinez by a late-round stoppage.

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