Kelly Pavlik wins Rematch with Jermain Taylor

Kelly Pavlik wins Rematch with Jermain Taylor

Kelly Pavlik won his rematch against Jermain Taylor on Saturday, persisting until the late rounds when he landed some big punches to claim victory by unanimous decision.

American Pavlik, who won the WBC and WBO middleweight titles against compatriot Taylor in September last year, proved too strong in a non-title bout that was fought at a catchweight in the super middleweight band.

It was the first time Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs) had been taken the distance since 2004, but the Ohio fighter threw far more punches and landed more memorable exchanges. Taylor (27-2-1) came up short on all three scorecards despite an improved performance after getting his first career loss in their September bout.

The fight could have gone either way until the 10th round, with both fighters cannily minimizing their opponents' strengths. Pavlik staggered Taylor in the 11th, demonstrating the power that makes him the highest-regarded middleweight in the world.

"He was better tonight than the first fight, (but) I was better, too," Pavlik said. "It was a more tactical fight. ... From rounds 10 through 12, I was finally landing body shots," Pavlik said. "He was tired. I could hear him exhaling."

Pavlik received decisive scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 on the cards.

Stories:  http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/sports/boxing17.php

http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2008/02/kelly-pavlik-defeats-jermain-taylor.html