Pavlik’s opponent in a risky spot

By Joe Scalzo

Bernard Hopkins could get hurt against Kelly Pavlik, his trainer said.

Bernard Hopkins’ trainer, Freddie Roach, is worried his fighter may have taken one fight too many.

Roach told Ron Borges of The Sweet Science he’s concerned about Hopkins’ upcoming fight with Pavlik and thinks it’s time for the 43-year-old to stop boxing.

“I’m a little bit worried about that fight,’’ Roach told Borges. “Bernard is my friend. I asked him to retire after the last fight. I saw some things I didn’t like and I told him that.”

Hopkins, who has flirted with retirement for years, walked to the wrong corner four times during his recent bout with Joe Calzaghe, Roach said, and he’s worried that Pavlik, unlike Calzaghe, can actually hurt Hopkins.

“He’s a different cat,” Roach said. “He’s a young, strong, hungry guy. Timing-wise, this is not right.”

Pavlik will meet Hopkins in a 170-pound, non-title bout on Oct. 18 in Atlantic City. Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs) successfully defended his IBF middleweight title a record 20 times, including six as the undisputed champ, before losing two straight bouts to Jermain Taylor in 2005-06. He has never been knocked out and he even floored Calzaghe in the first round of their April bout before losing by split decision.

His strong showing in that fight may have contributed to his willingness to fight Pavlik, who is more powerful than Calzaghe.

Roach was in the same situation as Hopkins two decades ago, although he was only 27. Roach’s trainer, Eddie Futch, told him it was time to stop boxing, but Roach ignored the advice and fought five more times. Roach now has Parkinson’s disease, which he attributes to those later bouts.

Roach doesn’t want to see Hopkins face the same fate.

“Would I train him for this fight?” Roach said. “I don’t think I can do that. I don’t think I can help him with than fight. I think if he asks, I’ll say no.”

To read the entire article, visit www.thesweetscience.com.

Rumor mill

Cleveland featherweight boxer Raynell Williams has been mentioned as a gold medal contender at the Olympics this month in Beijing.

He’s also been mentioned as a possible fighter for Kelly Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew, after the Olympics.

Williams recently met with Top Rank Boxing — one of the promotional companies seeking his service after this year’s Games — and Loew’s name was floated as one of three possibilities to coach Williams.

Loew has only met Williams in passing at a Cleveland amateur show and has not been involved in those discussions.

But, naturally, he’s interested.

“I wouldn’t turn it down,” Loew said. “He’s an unbelievable talent. He’s coming into his own at the right time.”

Dunkin inks Countryman

Pavlik’s co-manager, Cameron Dunkin, recently signed middleweight prospect James Countryman, who served as a sparring partner for Pavlik before the June bout with Gary Lockett.

Countryman (11-1, 8 KOs) hails from Detroit and will fight an undercard bout on Aug. 22 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Countryman’s lone loss came by unanimous decision in February of 2003 against Youngstown native Darnell Boone.

He’s since won three fights.

On stage

Pavlik appeared on stage briefly at the recent Foo Fighters concert in Cleveland.

Lead singer Dave Grohl is a Warren native and the former drummer for Nirvana. The band members are big fans of Pavlik’s.

scalzo@vindy.com