‘The Ghost’ is set for ‘The Executioner’

Kelly Pavlik and Bernard Hopkins heaped praise on each other prior to their Oct. 18 non-title bout in Atlantic City.

Vindicator staff report

111Appearing at back-to-back press conferences in New York and Philadelphia Tuesday, “The Executioner” and “The Ghost” had plenty of praise for each other — and predictions for their Oct. 18 fight in Atlantic City.

“I’m a boxing fan and I am a fan of Kelly Pavlik,” said the 43-year-old Hopkins. “I am a fan of Pavlik because he became a champion the right way. Not because of politics, but because he came up through the ranks and beat them all.

“I know what makes a good fight, but I never thought I would be fighting him. Kelly has a lot of heart and determination, but saying that, I’ve never been afraid of a ghost.”

Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs) ruled the middleweight division for a decade before losing his titles in 2005 to Jermain Taylor. Although he’s lost three of his last five bouts — including a split decision to super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe in April — Pavlik still considers him a dangerous fighter.

“I want to fight the best,” said Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs). “People talk and ask about why I am fighting Bernard Hopkins. You’ve got a legend right here.”

The non-title bout will be fought at 170 pounds — 10 more than the middleweight limit — and will be on HBO pay-per-view.

“This fight will take Kelly to another level,” said Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew. “He’s a great fighter, but on October 18 it will come to an end for Bernard Hopkins. It is over for him.”

Hopkins’ longtime trainer, Freddie Roach, recently said he wanted Hopkins to retire and is worried he could get hurt against the 26-year-old Pavlik, who has more power than some of Hopkins’ recent opponents.

Hopkins, who has never been knocked out, said he expects to win the fight.

“I believe I’m coming into this fight as the winner,” he said. “People know me and boxing people know me and they know I’m a threat against anyone. I am willing to say that I am coming into this fight to win.

“When we get into the ring, it will just be me and him — and that means it is 50-50.”

Although Hopkins isn’t the fighter he once was, he was able to floor Calzaghe in the first round of their bout and is still a good enough boxer to cause fits for Pavlik. He said he has a simple strategy against Pavlik.

“Kelly comes in and throws the hammer down and it’s my job to take that away from him,” he said. “This is a blue-collar fight. It’s like two guys working on a pier and get in a fight. It’s two guys fighting with their hard hats on. This is a blue collar sport, the kind of fight that could happen in any inner city — except now I’m from Philly and he’s from Youngstown.

“This fight is about two guys. One guy is coming forward and the other guys is looking to do his thing and that spells action.”

Added Hopkins’ trainer, Nazim Richardson, “Bernard Hopkins has been through the wars and the fires. He has never been cut and has never been beat up.”

A Pavlik victory could set up a lucrative bout against Calzaghe, or a middleweight unification bout against IBF champion Arthur Abraham. When asked about Calzaghe, Pavlik said he wasn’t sure what would happen.

“I guess I would have to shoot him in the foot to get him to stop running from me,” Pavlik said. “All I can tell you is that I will train as hard as I can to get in the best shape that I can be in — for Bernard Hopkins.”

T-shirts

The latest Pavlik T-shirts, which feature the Ohio State Block-O, are available at the following locations: BW-3 in Boardman and Austintown, O’Donald’s in Austintown, Clemens Wine Cellar, Knoll Run Golf Course, Bedford Trails Golf Course, Jimmy’s Italian Food Specialties on Belmont Avenue, Cornersburg Italian Specialties, Patrone’s Landscaping in Girard and East Side Civics.