Thomas vs Pavlik/Cloud vs Dawson. Vote »

Kelly Pavlik: The Worst-Managed Career In Boxing? » You may have read that the Oct. 3 Kelly Pavlik-Paul Williams middleweight championship fight has been postponed, but it’s very possible the fight won’t happen at all now. Why? Because Pavlik and/or his team have made a series of boneheaded mistakes, which follows a trail of goofiness that has marked his career since last summer…. Tim Starks, queensberry-rules.com

Gateway To Autumn Begins With Diaz-Malignaggi » A wonderful fall is almost upon us. We’ve been enduring the worst of the “new normal” for about a year now. The corporate cynicism — low sales, high layoffs and “met” earnings — the political instability, currencies that defy supply and demand, and an increasingly unemployed populace unmoored from reasonableness. Now boxing fans get a little compensation… Bart Barry, www.cbssports.com

Boxer Vs. Mixed Martial Artist: It Will Never Work » Boxing, the sweet science; a historic, moving, influential sport that has earned the love of generations of fight fans.  Boxing brought us the Greatest, Sugar Ray, Marciano, The Pac Man.  Boxing is an ageless gem, for which there is no equal. • Boxing fans have witnessed amazing history.  Those fans are highly knowledgeable and well seasoned. • While it may hold no equal, boxing does hold a modern day rival that has been forged in the spirit of what boxing is, meaning prize fighting… Todd Jackson, insidefights.com. 

Years Later, Rectifying Boxers’ Grave Injustices » BALA CYNWYD, Pa.— Hidden in a hilly corner of Merion Memorial Park, just outside the city limits of Philadelphia, are the gravestones of Beatrice Tate (born 3/14/20, died 5/6/99) and Nellie J. Garrett (1929-2001). • The cemetery is filled with mothers, fathers, sons and daughters – everyday people with names nobody knows except the family they left behind. • Between Beatrice Tate and Nellie Garrett, though, is a name whose mention will give pause to any boxing fan and bring a smile to any Philly fight fan. • “Gypsy Joe Harris – 1945-1990”… Thom Loverro, washingtontimes.com

Pavlik To Prepare For Tough Defense » YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik’s first middleweight title defense was a mismatch. His latest one is expected to be a classic. • “But I don’t know how he’ll react when he’s in there against a legitimate, big-punching middleweight. He’s never fought that caliber of fighter, while we’ve fought much bigger people than Paul Williams.” —Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew… JOE SCALZO, www.vindy.com

How Would Calzaghe Fare Against The Super Six? » TYPICAL isn’t it? The super middleweight division has been arguably boxing’s weakest over the past decade, even when Joe Calzaghe was in his pomp. • For years, and even now, the Welshman was pilloried for not fighting the best guys out there. • But I say to you all. What guys?… Martin Williams, www.dailypost.co.uk

Photos: Harris by Jerry Lodriguss; Pavlik by Al Bello/Getty Images

Don King Boxing: Wii Review by Brian Browne » 2K Sports and Don King have teamed up to bring us Don King Boxing. This game takes advantage of the Wii remote/nunchuck and the balance board. However, the balance board is optional for this game. This installment features a lineup of boxers including: Joe Louis • Rocky Marciano • Joe Calzaghe • Kelly Pavilik • James Braddock

The Return of Miguel Cotto

By Distinio Lois, Jr.

This Saturday night, we fight fans will see in Madison Square Garden, the return of one of the most formidable and perhaps feared Welterweight fighters’ in boxing today— former World W.B.A. 147 Pound Champion, Miguel Angel Cotto. • Question! Which Miguel Cotto will show up Saturday night— the pre-Antonio Margarito Champion fighter, or the post-Margarito brutal knockout victim? Read on…

Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik vs Marco Antonio Rubio & Miguel Cotto vs Michael Jennings: Pre-fight predictions and preview with some of boxing’s top journalist and personalities including Steve Farhood (Showtime) and Tim Smith (NY Daily News). 

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Part 2: 

Miguel Cotto, Kelly Pavlik Fighting Back  Miguel Cotto and Kelly Pavlik looked fine. • They smiled and answered questions politely Tuesday during a press conference at Madison Square Garden. And it was impossible to tell whether Cotto or Pavlik had depreciated as a fighter since losing for the first time… BY MITCH ABRAMSON, www.nydailynews.com

The Brilliance Of Bernard Hopkins  After he had completed his 12 round whitewash of Kelly Pavlik, Bernard Hopkins stared out into press row and gave us guys behind the laptops his best Graterford State Penitentiary glare. For a good minute or so, he stood frozen, his eyes never even blinking once. He didn’t need to really say anything – we all got the message, loud and clear. This was jailhouse communication from the man who served five years in that joint for strong-armed robbery beginning as a 17-year old in 1984. He had proved us wrong once again. In giving yet another career-defining performance at age 43 – versus a fighter who was 17 years his junior – he proved he was/is a prizefighter that could’ve competed in any era of boxing… Steve Kim, maxboxing.com

Calzaghe Speaks Out On Pavlik Vs Hopkins  Cardiff, Wales (October 20, 2008)—As he continues to prepare for his November 8 “Battle of the Superpowers” against Roy Jones, Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City and live on HBO Pay-Per-View, undefeated light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe took a quick break from training to share his thoughts on Saturday night’s tremendous victory for Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik.  Here is what he had to say:

“I said all along Kelly Pavlik was overrated, overhyped and hadn’t done anything in his career to a warrant a fight with me…

“I said all along Kelly Pavlik was overrated, overhyped and hadn’t done anything in his career to a warrant a fight with me.  This was evident Saturday night when Hopkins destroyed and exposed him for what he is.  That is why I wasn’t going to waste my time fighting him and went straight to a bout with Roy Jones who has proved himself time and time again that he is one of the greatest fighters in our era. I have been a champion for 11 years and I am only interested in fighting legends.”  •  “They told me that the place was packed with Pavlik fans who either sat stunned or actually started cheering for Hopkins.  My fans will have a great night at Madison Square Garden in New York as I will give them no reason to cheer for Roy Jones.  I am sure it was a long trip back for all those people from Ohio.  I tell my fans, don’t worry, we will be partying on the plane ride home.”  •  “Look at the landscape-I have beat everyman I have ever faced including younger fighters, stronger fighters and of course Bernard Hopkins.  After fighting Hopkins, my biggest wish was to fight Roy Jones Jr. who also has a win over Hopkins.  Hopkins showed Saturday night he is an amazing fighter but Roy and I both beat him.  That says more than enough and come November 8, Roy and I have a chance to settle the score with the winner taking all the glory.”  •  “My boxing career and record speaks for itself.  November 8 will be the biggest fight of my career as I am fighting one of the best, at the best place to fight, Madison Square Garden. Believe me, it can’t get here fast enough.” —Source: Swanson Communications

Pre-Fight preview with some of boxing’s top journalist and personalities including Iran “The Blade” Barkley (Former Middleweight Champion Of The World).