WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (36-1, 32 KO's) pounded out (take term literally) a 5th round KO over a WBC #3 Miguel Espino (20-3-1, 9 KOs) who impressed many with his grit in going into a phone booth type fight with Pavlik. It was a courageous effort yes, but very fool hearty to think he could match skill and power with a pure puncher like Pavlik. Espino showed he was there to do whatever he had to do, hitting after the bell to get a point taken away and throwing low blows until Ref Steve Smoger emphatically warned him not to do it again.

The truth of the matter is Espino could not hurt Pavlik and Kelly was doing damage that added up quickly. Pavlik used uppercuts to drop Espino twice in round four. Those uppercuts made Espino's nose pour like a fountain of blood. The end came at the 1:44 mark in round 5 as Pavlik again dropped Espino with an uppercut that buckled his knees again. The too tough for his own good Espino got up and took a real beating until his corner saw enough of the carnage and saved the overmatched and outgunned Espino from further trips to the canvas.

Not a bad showing by Pavlik who chose to go toe to toe with Espino. He showed signs of rust but in the end his power combined with the lack thereof from his hapless foe was enough to get this one done before the halfway mark.

Both Pavlik & Bob Arum called out Paul Williams after the fight. Arum said that all Williams people had to do was put their signature on the dotted line and they could get this thing done at the start of 2010. Arum then said if they don't want to sign it's time for them to "SHUTUP!"


Questions or Comments? Email William Trillo