'Ghost' stops McKart in sixth
Youngstown middleweight Kelly Pavlik proclaimed himself worthy of a world title fight.
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UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- A combination to the head spelled the end for challenger Bronco McKart, and kept the world championship aspirations of Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik on track.
The unbeaten Youngstown middleweight stopped McKart at 2 minutes, 45 seconds of the sixth round to retain the North American Boxing Federation title bout at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena Thursday night.
Pavlik (28-0, 25 KOs) was actually behind on points entering the sixth round, in large part due to a disputed knockdown he suffered in the fourth round. Early in the fourth, McKart's right hand found Pavlik's ribs, then he connected with a shot to the arm. At the same time, Pavlik slipped and lost his balance. Pavlik's glove touched the canvas and refere Ricky Gonzalez stepped in and began a 10-count, as he was required to do when a boxer's glove touches the canvas.
But in the fifth round the 24-year-old Pavlik began to wear down his 35-year-old rival. McKart (48-7) began to experience swelling around both eyes and with about 20 seconds remaining, a Pavlik right caught McKart.
The end
The sixth round was all Pavlik. Early in the round he connected with a solid left and drew blood from the challenger's nose.
McKart went to the canvas about 1 1/2 minutes into the round, but it seemed more from exhaustion than a Pavlik punch. After the 10-count, the champion continued to apply pressure. McKart's right eye began bleeding in the final 30 seconds of the round, and with about 23 seconds to go Pavlik connected with a solid combination, sending his opponent to the canvas for the last time.
"If [this win] doesn't say I deserve to be the No. 1 mandatory [challenger] I don't know what does," said Pavlik. "[McKart] is a great fighter and I went through him and won convincingly."
Lou Divello, the manager for Jermain Taylor, was in the audience. Taylor is the top-ranked middleweight in the world and holds the WBC belt. Arthur Abraham holds the IBF belt and Javier Castillejo has the WBA belt.
"I think I deserve my shot," said Pavlik, "but I'll let my team handle that."
Pavlik said the first knockdown in the sixth round was the result of "a little sneaky punch."
"I knew he was a little hurt, but with Bronco you have to be careful when he's hurt," said Pavlik. "He's dangerous and he's sneaky."
Beaten opponent impressed
McKart said he wasn't impressed with what he saw of Pavlik on film but changed his opinion after the fight.
"The guy is a good puncher," said McKart. "He has to work some more on his defensive skills, but every punch is hard and heavy and he puts good moves behind them.
"I believe this kid could be the middleweight champion someday. He's the real deal."