“That would be ... one of the biggest statements of the last 40 years in boxing,” Pavlik

“That would be ... one of the biggest statements of the last 40 years in boxing,” Pavlik said. “The question is, What happens when he gets hit flush? Eventually his defense is going to lapse a few times.

“I have to take advantage of that.”

Hopkins, a defensive counterpuncher, is confident he knows enough tricks to school the 26-year-old, and said the fight is a good matchup.

“An offensive guy and a defensive veteran — that’s a perfect match,” he said. “Can Bernard Hopkins derail the Mack truck? I’m going to flatten his tires, slow it up and then it will conk out.”

Pavlik is winding down his training camp and is scheduled to spar 12 rounds today. He bruised his left elbow a month ago — that revelation caused a stir on the Internet — but said it’s nothing ice couldn’t fix.

He also said he weighed between 171-172 pounds Wednesday and won’t have any trouble making the 170-pound limit or being sharp at the higher weight.

“It’s an advantage to me,” he said. “I can eat more, so I’ll have more energy and more snap on my punches. I walk around at 175-176, so I don’t have to kill myself to make weight.

“I’ll be ready to go.”

Hopkins’ trainer, Freddie Roach, said a few months ago that he thinks Hopkins should retire. But the self-proclaimed “fitness fanatic” said people should ignore his age and focus on his ability.

“A lot of people are concerned about me,” said Hopkins. “I will be OK. I’m not a fool. I’m a thinker. I’m a guy who likes to take big challenges.

“I will beat [Pavlik] impressively and show the world Bernard Hopkins is a great champion.”

scalzo@vindy.com