Miranda boastful of KO; Pavlik confident of victory
The middleweights were in a talking mood at a press conference.
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Saturday’s much-anticipated showdown between Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and Edison “Pantera” Miranda could be one for the record books. That is, if Pavlik has his way.
“This is a big fight, a huge fight,” said Pavlik Thursday at a press conference. “[It’s] something I’ve worked towards all my life.”
The fight, billed as an elimination fight with the winner expected to get a shot at Jermain Taylor’s WBC and WBO middleweight world title belts, will start around 10:15 p.m. Saturday at the FedEx Forum here. The fight will be televised live by HBO.
Taylor’s fourth defense
Taylor will make the fourth defense of his titles against junior middleweight Corey Spinks in the night’s main event.
That defense, though, is considered by many pundits as a mere formality. The real show will be Pavlik’s (30-0, 27-0 knockouts) showdown with the boastful Miranda (28-1, 24 KOs).
“I had my best camp ever,” said Pavlik. “I’m as strong as I’ve ever been. I’ve had the best conditioning, the best flexibility while training for weeks.
“I will not be slowing down in this fight. I am going to try to set a new HBO record to the number of punches each round.”
The press conference began with promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank (who handles Pavlik) and Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing (Miranda’s promoter) each predicting a knockout victory for their respective fighter.
“Pavlik reminds me of the great middleweights I used to promote — Monzon, Hagler, Leonard,” said Arum.
Carlos Monzon (87-3-9), an Argentine, held the world title for seven years and made a then-record 14 title defenses. Marvin Hagler (52-3-2) was twice named Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine, and Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1) was an Olympic and world champion.
Pavlik’s strategy
“My plan is to attack, back him up and not allow him to set up and throw,” said Pavlik of his strategy. “I am confident. I will win this fight.”
Miranda continued his verbal assault on the Youngstown fighter, sometimes pounding his fist on the podium while speaking.
“Pavlik is a great fighter in his league,” he said Thursday. “I said ‘in his league.’ I am in the big leagues.
“In the baseball big leagues, people want to see the home runs. In boxing big leagues, people want to see the knockouts. I am going to have a big, big knockout.”
Miranda then finished with an interesting analogy.
“Pavlik is going to be barbecued, just like the ribs are in all of the restaurants in town. Enjoy your barbecue everyone. Edison Miranda is going to enjoy his on Saturday night.”