Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik

                                                                                                    By Alden Chodash

  By the way Zertuche slithered to the canvas after the last sickening right hand, you could interpret that he was stricken by a "ghost". For Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik, as he stated in the post-fight interview with Max Kellerman, this was just another step towards the title he is long-deserving. Pavlik, who had previously impressed audiences with his terrific punching power, had also made one of his first appearances on HBO and for Kelly, again, it was just another moment to showcase his skills. In a way, Kelly may not show enthusiasm until he lifts the crown off Jermain Taylor's dome. Whether or not you believe he can, you can't deny that Pavlik, along with Edison Miranda, are the two most exciting challenges that Taylor can face.  

   Pavlik has the resume, the style, and the pop to get a title shot. Pavlik's last four opponents have all been top-flight. Francisco Zuniga had proved his durability against well-rounded fighters such as Daniel Santos, Danny Lopez, and Jose Luis Zertuche and was only beaten once before "The Ghost" annihilated him in nine rounds. Bronco McKart, though well past his best, had a reputation as a tricky southpaw who had never been stopped. McKart also held his own with Winky Wright in their first bout which ended by way of split decision in favor of Wright. Pavlik overcame a controversial knockdown to beat down McKart and ultimately emerge victorious in the sixth round. Jose Luis Zertuche, who was Pavlik's unfortunate victim last night, also came into the bout having never tasted the canvas. In the eighth round of their fight, he fell face first, literally being  knocked out.

   Pavlik has also shown that he is vulnerable, which can be a good thing. Adversity, which Pavlik has surely faced evidently because he's hit the canvas several times in his career, plays a big part in why Pavlik is so popular with certain crowds. Arturo Gatti obviously wasn't close to being invincible and he is one of the sport's legends basically because of his style. With all that said, Pavlik still hasn't received an invitation to box with even a minor title holder after thirty bouts and victories. Also, not many fighters capture the imagination of the public without having significant punching power something Pavlik has displayed on every televised occasion. 

  I wouldn't call Pavlik an uncrowned champion but a more than deserving challenger. The much repeated question is what about him is holding him back. Hopefully this HBO appearance will give him the right to battle with the worlds elite.