Pavlik-Martinez Expert Picks
I also envision a late stoppage victory for Pavlik. I know Martinez’s speed and movement will give the champ problems, but I also think Pavlik’s long jab and high guard will limit the southpaw challenger’s offensive opportunities in the early going. If Pavlik can cut the ring off by the middle rounds, he can do what Margarito did 10 years ago (I covered that fight, by the way). The Mexican mauler wore down Martinez by going to the body and Pavlik’s body punches are devastating.
Steve Farhood (Showtime boxing analyst)
Pavlik-Martinez is a classic contrast in styles: Power and size vs. speed and mobility. I give the natural middleweight, Pavlik, a slight edge. If he can consistently land his right hand, he’ll wear down Martinez. If Martinez can neutralize Pavlik’s biggest weapon, he can steal the fight on points.
Kevin Iole (Yahoo! Sports Boxing)
I struggled with this pick, because I think Pavlik’s power is a difference-maker. But Martinez is a terrific boxer and has displayed a good chin. In a very competitive fight which could go either way, I look for Martinez to pull out a narrow decision.
Tim Smith (New York Daily News)
Kelly Pavlik has been through a long medical ordeal with his staph infection in his knuckle. He says he’s completely healthy now, but he hasn’t been on his game in a long time. Martinez is awkward, a decent boxer and doesn’t mind fighting.Pavlik never wavers from his game plan, which is to follow the jab with a right hand. That should be enough to take a close decision. So the pick is Pavlik by unanimous decision.
Tim Starks (TheQueensberryRules.com)
I suspect it will be a good deal closer than the shutout or near shutout Hopkins pitched, but I see Martinez one way or the other — definitively or closely — outboxing and outmaneuvering Pavlik, maybe with some moments of trouble thrown in like against Williams when he had to go on the run for a little while to survive and clear his head.
Graham Houston (Boxing Monthly & Fightwriter.com)
I can see the sort of fight developing in which Martinez gets in with sharp shots and has Pavlik missing in the early rounds, but keeping it up for 12 rounds will be the tricky part. I believe Martinez can do it, though. I think he has the speed, savvy and southpaw style to frustrate Pavlik and outscore him, and the toughness to stand up to Pavlik’s heavy right hands — as long as he doesn’t have to take too many of them. I’m going with Martinez to pull off the upset with a points win, perhaps after having to survive some rocky rounds.
Jonathan Yaghoubi (411mania.com)
If Pavlik has any problems with his hand, Martinez will easily exploit Pavlik’s weakness and utilize his quickness to earn a decision victory. But I just can’t ignore the fact that Pavlik is the bigger, stronger, and has more talent than Martinez. I think Pavlik’s power will be too much for Martinez to handle through 12 rounds. I don’t think it will go that far as I feel that Pavlik will bounce back in a big way and I predict a late TKO for the champion.
Paul Upham (SecondsOut.com)
While Kelly Pavlik is a worthy favourite, the fast flurries of Martinez could upset his pace. The American champion has the power to stop Martinez, but he isn’t fighting with the confidence of old. However, in a close battle, Pavlik should be able to land the more definitive punches, resulting in a twelve round points win for him.
Vivek Wallace (Eastsideboxing.com)
When it all boils down, I see the speed of Martinez giving Pavlik a ton of problems as the fight unfolds. Pavlik has never been a very fast fighter, but his workrate and tenacity have always been his calling card. In fitting fashion, I can vision him using those calling cards to dial up the energy level, before ultimately hurting Martinez late. Martinez’s superb conditioning will keep him from looking at the ceiling, but it won’t be enough to combat the powershots he’ll undoubtedly take. Pavlik via majority decision.
Daniel Herbert (Boxing News)
Martinez will do well early on, perhaps even winning rounds in the fight’s first half. But gradually Pavlik will reel him in and bash the resistance out of him for a clear points victory or even late stoppage.
Result: Pavlik 6 Martinez 4
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