Kelly Pavlik Pulls Out From November 13 Pacquiao-Margarito Undercard

Former WBO and WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has pulled out from his scheduled fight with Brian Vera in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Margarito showdown on November 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas.

Pavlik cited his rib injury as the reason for his withdrawal. Last year, the Youngstown, Ohio based boxer also withdrew from a fight with Paul Williams after several postponements due to a major staph infection and an allergic reaction to some antibiotics that nearly killed him.

On April 17, 2010, Kelly Pavlik attempted to defend his middleweight title for the fourth time against junior middleweight champion, Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City, NJ. The fight was for Pavlik's WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine Middleweight titles.

Pavlik was defeated by Martinez by a unanimous 12-round decision.

Top Rank Promotions president Todd DuBoeF reportedly confirmed Pablik's withdrawal from the undercard of the Pacquaio-Margarito fight.

Brandon Rios, who is one of the current sparring partners of Margarito, is reportedly being tapped to replace Pavlik in the undercard. His possible opponent is yet to be announced.

Rios, who is undefeated in his 25 professional fights, is set to fight in the undercard of the Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. fight slated for December 4 in Anaheim, California.

Rios is being trained by Robert Garcia, the current trainer of Antonio Margarito.