Pavlik’s first defense likely to be in Atlantic City

By Joe Scalzo

Once Gary Lockett officially became Kelly Pavlik’s next opponent, Top Rank boxing sent his trainer, Jack Loew, tapes of four of Lockett’s fights.

“He beat the [tar] out of all four guys,” said Loew, “and they were all sound, technical fighters. Once he popped them on the chin, it was Goodnight, Irene.”

Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs), who holds the WBO and WBC titles, will make his first middleweight title defense against Lockett June 7 in New York’s Madison Square Garden or, more likely, Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Boardwalk Hall held Pavlik’s first fight against Jermain Taylor, in September.

“It’s going to Atlantic City,” said Pavlik’s co-manager, Cameron Dunkin.

Atlantic City, which has pursued Pavlik, would be a more cost-effective destination, both for the fans and the promoters.

“They’re going to have to pay Kelly a good buck, so maybe they needed to do that to get a site fee from a casino and things like that,” said Loew. “I don’t care where it’s at. We’ll have Kelly prepared.”

The fight will be televised by HBO, although it could be shifted to June 14 if HBO can’t air a live tripleheader, according to ESPN.com.

Junior featherweight Daniel Ponce De Leon of Mexico will fight Juan Manuel Lopez (21-0, 19 KOs) of Puerto Rico on an undercard bout. Rising middleweight Andy Lee (15-0, 12 KOs), who recently signed with Top Rank, could be added to the card against Marco Antonio Rubio (41-4, 36 KOs).

Rubio had been a finalist to fight Pavlik.

Lockett (30-1, 21 KOs), of Wales, has never fought in the United States. Thirty of his 31 bouts have been in the United Kingdom. He is WBO’s top-ranked contender.

“This kid can fight,” said Loew. “Shame on people who think he’s no good. Just because he’s never fought in the America, this isn’t going to be a walk in the park.”

Pavlik, who is 6-foot-2, has a 4-inch height advantage on Lockett. Loew compared him to Jose Luis Zertuche, whom Pavlik knocked out in the eighth round in January 2007.

“They’re both sound, technical fighters and they can punch,” said Loew. “My only question is, what’s this kid going to do when he fights somebody he can’t back up?”

scalzo@vindy.com