With Lockett looming, Pavlik stays cautious

Since turning pro seven years ago, Kelly Pavlik has learned one immutable fact about boxing: Contracts mean more than words.

So, as reports filtered out Thursday that he’d make his first middleweight title defense against Gary Lockett on June 7 at Madison Square Garden, Pavlik was in no hurry to start gathering information on the relatively unknown fighter from Wales.

“I’ll wait until it’s official,” Pavlik said Thursday. “I don’t want to get my mind set on one guy then have it switch.

“I just go about my own business. Whoever they put in front of me, that’s who I’ll fight.”

Although no contracts have been signed — Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said his focus is on the March 15 bout between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez — a source close to the negotiations confirmed Lockett will be Pavlik’s opponent provided the money can be worked out.

Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew, was told Tuesday night that Lockett had emerged as the choice between four prospective opponents. Two of those fighters, Giovanni Lorenzo and Marco Antonio Rubio, are still options, Arum said.

For more details, read Friday's Vindicator or visit Vindy.com.