After going 0-2 on my picks for the first time since this site launched in May, I am back with another edition of Pete’s Pick’s. I haven’t officially kept a record, but I’ve only picked 3 fights incorrectly in the history of this site. The other being Vernon Forrest’s rematch against Sergio Mora. Ah well, unless you’re Rocky Marciano, everyone loses eventually.
This weekend’s 170 pound catchweight contest between reigning middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik and the legendary Bernard Hopkins is quite interesting. Like both of last weeks big bouts, this week’s big fight is tough to call.
Pavlik is younger, undefeated, and full of knockout power. Hopkins is more experienced, excellent defensively, and capable of making pretty much anyone look bad in the ring.
So onto my official pick: I pick Kelly Pavlik to win a unanimous decision. He’s younger, has a more active work rate, and should be able to beat Hopkins down the stretch.
Hopkins clearly has a shot at winning though. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he catches Pavlik with a sneaky punch in the fight and scores a knockdown. But ultimately, I feel it will go to the cards and Pavlik will leave with a win.
There has been some speculation among boxing fans on whether or not Pavlik can be the first to knockout the legendary Hopkins. Hopkins has never been cut in his career and has only been knocked down twice, and those knockdowns came in the same fight 14 years ago. If Pavlik can stop B-Hop, it would be a huge accomplishment.
If Hopkins does get Pavlik in trouble, it will be interesting to see how he reacts. Hopkins Is not a “go in for the kill” type of fighter, but if he can put Pavlik in a situation similar to the one he was in during the second round of the first Jermain Taylor fight, he maybe can live up to his nickname of “The Executioner”.
With all that being said, I still say Pavlik via decision.
