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Bernard Hopkins vs Kelly Pavlik tonight in Atlantic City
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Tonight, fight fans around the globe get a chance to see a highly anticipated showdown between the sport's quickest-rising star and one of its most memorable who may soon be on his way out when Kelly 'Ghost' Pavlik (34-0, 30KO's) takes on Bernard 'Executioner' Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KO's).
The intrigue in this fight comes into play for the simple fact that few opponents of Kelly Pavlik have lasted the full12 rounds, while Hopkins has only touched the deck twice in a career spanning nearly 20 years. During that same time span, Hopkins has not only avoided the KO, but has never left the ring with a swollen face or black eye, remaining literally untouchable in a sport that promotes the exact opposite.
Anyone who's seen Pavlik fight knows that there's little chance of facing him and not sustaining battle scars, as the Youngstown, Ohio native has brutally beaten everyone he's ever faced.
Perhaps the biggest name on the Pavlik resume is the first man to defeat Hopkins in nearly 12 years, Jermain Taylor. This is a fighter whom defeated Hopkins twice, yet subsequently lost to Pavlik twice - including once by 7th round KO.
The level of intrigue in this fight increases when you consider that Pavlik is known primarily as a bully-type fighter.
In the past, Hopkins has never been known to back down or shy away from that style, evidenced in the annihilation of Puerto Rico's Felix 'Tito' Trinidad, whom delivered the same bull rush.
When it all boils down, something has to give.
Can the salty veteran with all the experience in the world muster enough energy to sustain the punishment he'll undoubtedly take? Or will the young lion be too hungry to let the old bull snatch his meal ticket to multi-million dollar paydays in the future?
It's anyone's guess how this fight could end up, but when it's all said and done, something monumental will happen before it ends.
Either we'll get a very unlikely Hopkins victory over Pavlik which would set the media storm ablaze, relative to whether or not Pavlik was indeed a media created hype; Or the sport of boxing will see for the first time, a Bernard Hopkins lost via KO, which is seemingly infathomable as we speak.
For Pavlik, there's so much to lose, while for the aging Hopkins, there's so much to gain!
Either way it goes, someones life and legacy will be forever changed when the headlines print tomorrow morning.
The quest to write those headlines start tonight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and for viewers at home, 9 p.m. eastern standard time on HBO PPV.
Stay tuned....
For
(For Vivek Wallace's official prediction and more analysis, visit www.eastsideboxing.com after 12 p.m.).
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