Pavlik not backing down from big hitters

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- One of the tendencies of Edison Miranda is that he backs up when a lot of punches are thrown at him.
One of the traits of Kelly Pavlik is that he doesn't back down from taking fights against dangerous fighters.
The outcome of a fight between those individuals may be determined by their respective inclinations on May 19.
That's when the Nos. 1 and 2 World Boxing Council contenders meet in a 12-rounder at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis.
The headliner that night is undisputed (WBC/WBO) middleweight (160 pounds) champion Jermain Taylor against Cory Spinks.
The Pavlik-Miranda winner is expected to be in line for a mandatory bout against Taylor.
Big punchers
Pavlik (30-0, 27 KOs) said he'll press the action against Miranda (28-1, 24 KOs) in a battle of two powerful punchers.
Pavlik expects Miranda, of Colombia, to be in the "bully" mode in their WBC middleweight title eliminator. Miranda is also the top International Boxing Federation contender.
"Being a power puncher, he backs opponents up," Pavlik said. "We like to back our fighters up and I throw a lot of punches. I think once I come forward and throw my punches, he's definitely going to go backwards and that's going to be the difference in the fight and that's going to be our game plan now."
Kelly averages over 99 punches a round.
Another part of Pavlik's plan is to be in shape and be strong.
"I don't believe he's fought anyone with my strength before. I've seen him get hit a couple times on the chin. So, we're definitely confident. We just have to be wary of the right hand -- not afraid or nervous, but just be wary of it and just stick to our game plan."
At this point in his career, Pavlik has developed enough security to match his ability.
"It's probably one of the most confident fights I'm going into, yet it's against one of toughest opponents, too."
Last fight
Before Pavlik fought Jose Luis Zertuche on Jan. 27, Pavlik and Loew were under the impression that the winner would have a shot at Taylor.
After Pavlik knocked out Zertuche in the eighth round, the scenario didn't develop.
They still aren't convinced that it'll happen, even though Taylor will be expected to negotiate with the Pavlik-Miranda winner.
Pavlik said he'd rather fight the champion, but if Taylor vacates the title, that's acceptable, too.
"I definitely want to fight Taylor because he's got the name. If he vacates it and I fight someone other than Jermain Taylor and win the world title, at least I know I made him run away from me. That's one good way of looking at it. Eventually, if we have to chase him up to 168 [pounds] or 175 or have him come back down, I'm going to be there for Taylor. Either way, I'll fight him one day before I retire."
A few new wrinkles have been added to Pavlik's training regimen.
He said his natural strength training doesn't include weightlifting because it puts on muscle.
"I'm doing cardio workouts and other strength and speed work."
Tire workout
One of his drills is hitting a truck tire across a parking lot with a sledgehammer. He takes 15 swings with the left hand and 15 with the right to move the tire several yards each time.
By the end of training camp next month, Kelly, who weights 173, hopes to whack the tire 100 yards in one direction and another 100 upon the return.
Pavlik and Loew prefer to stay home to train for several reasons.
"In Las Vegas, if you want to lift weights, you pay 2,000. If you want to run, you've got to travel a half hour to the mountains. Here, we have Mill Creek Park and a parking lot behind my parents' house where I hit the tire. Rocky's in Boardman is a heck of a personal trainer with weights. My sparring partner now is Teddy Muller of Chicago and, next week, I've got a guy who is a legit contender at 168," said Pavlik.
bassetti@vindy.com