Judges differ on which rounds Pavlik won

LAS VEGAS — Trying to make a fair assessment of Saturday’s Pavlik-Taylor middleweight rematch is as difficult as choosing a slot machine that’s ready to spit out thousands.

But, is one needed when the judges have ruled and your check’s in hand?

Judge Patricia Morse-Jarman gave Pavlik the first three rounds, plus the eighth, ninth, 11th and 12th.

Dave Moretti gave Pavlik one, four, five, then 7 through 12.

Glenn Trowbridge had Pavlik on top in one, three, five, six, seven, then the last three.

Aside from the men in the ring, those judging the fight and counting the punches over 12 rounds had the busiest and most intense duty inside the MGM Grand Arena before 9,709 spectators who ranged from well-dressed and sober to disheveled and inebriated.

But those peanut- and popcorn-eating fans were vocal in their approval or disapproval of the outcome.

An interesting aspect is the fact that Pavlik connected on only 32 percent of his 845 total punches thrown to Taylor’s 39 percent of 456.

The number for those that really count — the power punches — were 34 percent Pavlik (123-of-361) to Taylor’s 46 percent (76-of-164).

To punctuate the punch tally, throw in the jabs — Pavlik’s 30 percent to Taylor’s 35.

Of course, intangibles such as stamina must be figured into the equation to arrive at a comfortable conclusion.