Pavlik, Ward could fight in super middleweight bout

Staff report

Kelly Pavlik’s next fight could be on Jan. 26 against current WBC and WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward.

Several boxing websites are reporting that details are being finalized on a Los Angeles-based matchup of Ward (26-0, 14 knockouts) and Pavlik (40-2, 34 KOs), the former world middleweight champion from Youngstown. The fight reportedly would take place at the Galen Center.

Ward’s last fight was a victory over Chad Dawson in September. Pavlik earned a unanimous decision over Will Rosinsky on July 7.

Ward would be Pavlik’s top opponent since he lost the title belt to Sergio Martinez on April 17, 2010. Pavlik has been training with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, Calif., since a much-publicized 2011 split with Jack Loew, his long-time Youngstown-based trainer.