Pavlik can’t ignore defense of his titles

By Joe Scalzo

That’s why fighting lesser-known challengers must remain in his future plans.

YOUNGSTOWN — As Kelly Pavlik prepares for a 170-pound bout with Bernard Hopkins in October and a potential super middleweight showdown with Joe Calzaghe, it’s important to remember one fact: Pavlik is the middleweight champion.

And if he wants to keep his WBC and WBO titles, he’ll have to defend them.

“Kelly has been in some unusual circumstances,” said his co-manager, Cameron Dunkin. “I think they [the organizations] understand that.

“But we don’t want to [tick] them off.”

Since winning the titles in September, Pavlik won a non-title rematch with Jermain Taylor at 166 pounds in February, then defended his titles against Gary Lockett last month. Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) will meet Hopkins (48-5-1) in a non-title fight on Oct. 18 in Atlantic City.

Dunkin took a lot of criticism for arranging the Lockett bout, but he knew it was important for Pavlik to get one of his mandatory defenses out of the way. Lockett entered the bout as the WBO’s No. 1 contender and has since dropped to 12th.

“Even though people didn’t like it [the matchup], it was a big deal for me to fight Lockett because it helped us keep the belts,” said Dunkin. “You don’t know what’s going to happen down the line.”

If Pavlik beats Hopkins and Calzaghe wins his fight with Roy Jones Jr. in September, there’s a good chance Calzaghe will opt to defend his WBO super middleweight belt against Pavlik. Depending on when/if that happens, Pavlik could have time to take care of one of his mandatory defenses before fighting Calzaghe.

The WBC’s No. 1 contender is Marco Antonio Rubio, who was one of the opponents considered by Pavlik’s handlers before they chose Hopkins and who is ranked third by the WBO. The WBO’s No. 1 is Sebastian Zbik, who is ranked seventh by the WBC.

“If he fights one of those guys, it’ll make everybody real happy,” Dunkin said.

Dunkin wasn’t thrilled with the idea of a bout at 170, but after negotiating with at least a half-dozen opponents, he was happy just to get a fight done. Dunkin said repeatedly he was willing to let Pavlik rest for a few months if they couldn’t find the right opponent.

“Hopkins is a big name guy and our big concern was the weight,” Dunkin said. “It’s a lot heavier, but we have a lot of faith in Kelly that he can get it done.”

Dunkin said Pavlik’s biggest question about the bout was, Will the fans in Youngstown like it?

“Kelly always wants to know if they’ll be happy,” Dunkin said. “I told him absolutely. It’s a terrific fight. He has more title defenses [20] than any man in the history of the middleweight division. It’s an honor to get to fight Hopkins.”

Plus, Dunkin said, “I won’t have to hear any more about Gary Lockett.”

scalzo@vindy.com