Saturday night is a big night in Las Vegas for the boxing world, as two of the world's most talented super middleweights will go head-to-head as champion Kelly Pavlik takes on Jermain Taylor. Kelly Pavlik took the WBC and WBO titles from Jermain Taylor on September 29, 2007 in Atlantic City, and this rematch is a non-title bout. BetOnline.com has Kelly Pavlik –200 odds favorite against Jermain Taylor who is listed as a +170 underdog .
Pavlik, fighting out of Youngstown, Ohio, is a perfect 32-0-0-0 in his career with 29 wins by knockout. Pavlik was named the Boxing Times “Fighter of the Year” in 2007, and he is being tipped for big things in 2008, namely moving up the unofficial rankings for the title of “best pound-for-pound boxer” on the planet. Pavlik, who will turn 26 on April 4th, is a very exciting fighter with lots of power behind his punches, and he is not afraid to take a punch in order to give on right back. Taylor saw this in their first bout when he knocked down Pavlik in the second round, only to have Pavlik storm back in few rounds later.
Taylor, a 29-year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas, has a record of 27-1-1-0 with 17 knockouts on his resume, and he would like nothing more than to avenge the only blemish on his sterling career, while handing Pavlik his first loss in the process. Taylor is no stranger to high-profile fights, as he has had tilts against the likes of Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright. Like Pavlik, Taylor is a very active fighter, but he prefers technical ability to knockout power, although he does pack a powerful wallop, especially his uppercuts.
"Taylor seems like a fighter that has lost his passion for the game," stated Sports-Odds.com Fight Expert Brad Marchetti of Einstein Picks. "Jermain can still stick a mean jab, but his low fuel cao makes him a risky bet nowadays."
Pavlik should be considered the favorite in this clash at BetOnline.com who has the over 10.5 rounds listed as the underdog with +145 odds, as he is the champion and has already beaten Taylor. This should be a fight with lots of punches thrown, and Taylor would do well to knock Pavlik out early in the fight as Pavlik has a very good chin and exceptional stamina for a fighter who usually knocks out his opponent. But Taylor has been in this position before, so he will not be fazed by the pressure of this bout. Pavlik should win a close one that should go the distance.
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