Pavlik-Taylor; 2/16/2008 Las Vegas

[frank s.]

I figured I'd get the ball rolling on this one now as I suspect there may be LOTS of divergent opinions on this fight. I'll list some of the issues I feel are pertinent at this time.
1) Weight aspect; I think the extra 6lbs. may favor Pavlik more than Taylor. At 6'2.5", Pavlik can carry 6lbs in his sleep. Of course, Taylor is a big boy also. The old adage about taking your power with in when moving up may be a moot point here. advantage-Pavlik.
2)Confidence factor; Taylor saw what he did to Pavlik, ALMOST taking himout. Where it not for Smolger, it would have been stopped by Nady, or Cortez perhaps. But Taylor now knows Pavlik can drop him at anytime. I feel Pavlik has learned more from their encounter than Taylor; advantage -Pavlik.
Jack Lowe, Pavlik's trainer stated they will MAKE Taylor fight. I feel he said this as Taylor may plan to fight long-distancejab city, then look for a wounded animal then strike. Maybe not. The longer it goes the better for Pavlik. Taylor may try his bum rush attack again, but Pavlik has seen this before. He will have an answer I feel. I'll stop at this point and await any replies from the crew.

 

[tonymontana]

Pavlik was a great bet last year two times. NIce dog money.
The way Pavlik got up from that knock down and survived the round (smart tactics clinching) and won the next round was very impressive.
I believe that Pavlik has a lot of advantages going in that fight. Pavlik has great stamina and workrate and power that is a scary and very rare combo. How many rounds did Taylor win after the KD ? I have to watch the fight again. But i dont believe that Taylor can win a decision against Pavlik Taylor is a going forward fighter and so is Kelly. Taylor looks horrible going backwards. I wait for props.

 

[amhlilhaus]

Pavlik was a great bet last year two times. NIce dog money.
The way Pavlik got up from that knock down and survived the round (smart tactics clinching) and won the next round was very impressive.
I believe that Pavlik has a lot of advantages going in that fight. Pavlik has great stamina and workrate and power that is a scary and very rare combo. How many rounds did Taylor win after the KD ? I have to watch the fight again. But i dont believe that Taylor can win a decision against Pavlik Taylor is a going forward fighter and so is Kelly. Taylor looks horrible going backwards. I wait for props.

taylor was leading in the fight before the ko, obviously his magic with the judges was working. I thought pavlik is a -180 favorite or something, with him almost getting stopped that's interesting, although not as much as a taylor by ko prop.

 

[frank s.]

Tony; if you do watch it again, I think you will see Pavlik backing Taylor up for the most part. After the KD, in the next round,Pavlik was still acting out the aggressor role.

 

[tonymontana]

Taylor won round 5 after the KD. Great fight. Pavlik is scary that was not a flash Kd he was out on his feet and got hit but three more big shots and and elbow and he got hit plenty more in that round very good crisis managment. He was talking very clear in the corner. Steward is full of it telling Taylor that Pavlik is gtting tired and is not used to fight at that rate. The opposite is true.
I had Taylor ahead with one point aftrer six i gave him the first round, close round but he landed the bigger punches in the first.
I had Taylor insid the first 3 rounds last time as hegde of my Pavlik inside bet. Maybe if th odds are right but in someway i feel Taylor had a lot of luck to get that KD and still couldnt win.

Heres the link to the fight not the best quality but small file (get Vlc player to play)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TRAU7112

 

[The Sponge]

After Taylor getting knockout like that all i see is him Jabbing and dancing. Last fight i did have Taylor because i thought finally someone will make him fight and this was more suited for his style. Was even counting my money after round two but this kid has something Taylor seems to lack and its hunger. I just don't see Taylor fighting the same fight he fought the last time and that is the only chance i think he has to win unless like Amhil says his magc with the judges prevails in a jab fest. I can see Kelly getting a little discourage this fight trying to make Taylor actually fight. I just can't lay that 180 tho. Looks like im sitting this one out. I can see this one going the distance tho.

 

[Romi]

My 02., I picked Taylor in the 1st fight but felt it was an absolute toss up. I didn't wager. I feel that Pav should be favored but certainly not counting out JTs chances. I thought JT was looking better than several previous fights up until the KO. He was so close to blowing out the kid in 2. I think it will be close but it appears that JT has a tendency to fade as the fight goes on and you can't slack off against a relentless puncher like Pav. I believe the fight will be very close and JT may even be up on the cards but Pav will stop him in about 10. Because Pav was so close to getting stopped in the 1st go, I doubt if I'll wager any on this one. There is good value on so many fights... I just don't see it here.

 

[punchmaster]

My 02., I picked Taylor in the 1st fight but felt it was an absolute toss up. I didn't wager. I feel that Pav should be favored but certainly not counting out JTs chances. I thought JT was looking better than several previous fights up until the KO. He was so close to blowing out the kid in 2. I think it will be close but it appears that JT has a tendency to fade as the fight goes on and you can't slack off against a relentless puncher like Pav. I believe the fight will be very close and JT may even be up on the cards but Pav will stop him in about 10. Because Pav was so close to getting stopped in the 1st go, I doubt if I'll wager any on this one. There is good value on so many fights... I just don't see it here.

When Pav put Zertuche to sleep for a moment, literally on his feet, I was sold and backed him against Miranda at +180. I still didn't expect him to walk thru Miranda and lay that type of beating on him so I went rather large on Pav while taking the trip to the shit-hole that is AC this past Sept. What some people simply aren't recoginizing in round 2 of Pav-Taylor 1, is that Kellly stuck out his chin to say I'm a badass, AFTER taking about SIX shots from Taylor, not respecting huge middleweight Taylor's power. (Bhop was scared shit to take a Taylor power shot) Then Taylor hit Pav with a nice jab, right to the ear, perfect left hook to the chin and Pav finally went down.....cleared his head and walked Taylor down until leaving him a heap in the corner. Taylor did have a nice 5th round and is strong fast , athletic no doubt. I think the higher weight helps both of them. Taylor does not suddenly become Pernell Whittaker overnight. His only chance IMO, is bombs away with that nice hand speed and power and hope to catch Pav with another temple shot and finish him. Otherwise, Pav walks him down with that relentless pressure and underated jab, waiting to land another devastating right that could change the fight at anytime. Pav in 6. Pav will make him fight. I think the smart play is the under 10.5, doesn't matter who. Props to Taylor for demanding a rematch after getting stopped.

 

[conanthecribber]

Maybe a few dimes on the Under whatever. bwin has Taylor at +2.75 or something, (+175). Seems OK for a toss up fight.

I'm certainly not looking in my crystal ball and seeing a clear picture. Just like 1, it coudl go either way. I just want to see the winner against Abraham. That would be cool.

conan

 

[The Sponge]

. There is good value on so many fights... I just don't see it here.

Im a firm believer that betting a huge dog just to hope he wins is like wasting money. I will never bet a dog or a huge dog if i don't think they can win. In this case Taylor is a live dog but like you say romi is it worth the risk betting this either way? If i had to bet i would take Taylor because i do believe he can win. I sure as heck wouldn't wager something large on this one. I will say this tho. This is a fight i don't have to bet to enjoy. I can't find that feeling in any other sport except MMA. First fight was excellent and i doubt this one will even come close to that one but i still want to see it.
I would watch this fight before the superbowl.