Pavlik - Taylor Post Fight Comments

By Dave 'Large" Larzelere Post-fight Just to recap - Kelly Pavlik won a unanimous decision over Jermain Taylor.

Here's Pavlik's interview with Larry. Calls Jermain a very smart fighter. Thought it was a very good fight, thought Jermain won some middle rounds but he closed it out. Thought the pressure was what told the tale in the end. This win not as satisfying as the first one, because that was for the world title. But he's still very happy cause he has a lot of respect for Jermain.

His wish list for future fights? He'll fight anyone that Top Rank gives him. Now Jermain - he thought he was doing good - thinks he won the fight, thought he did the better work early. Obviously very disappointed. Big body shot from Kelly in the 11th hurt him, took his wind.

Will he continue as a super-middle? He's heartbroken, says he doesn't know. I've never been a fan of Jermain's but I gotta say I'm feeling for him right now, because he fought his heart out. I don't know how you all are feeling out there, but I am VERY impressed with Jermain after this thing. I think it's the best performance of his career, better than the first Hopkins fight, better than Winky.

I didn't think he had it in him to fight a strategic bout and so I thought he'd get knocked out in much the same fashion as the first fight. But he figured out Kelly's straight right hand and found holes in Pavlik's defense to exploit with all manner of punches.

I think the decision is a good one, but Jermain should be proud of himself tonight because he turned around what was essentially a mismatch in the first bout to a highly competitive and strategic fight in the second. And make no mistake, Kelly Pavlik is a HELL of a fighter.