Kelly Pavlik vs Winky Wright who wins now?

Question

A year ago I felt Wink had Pavlik's number, does anyone think Pavlik has improved enough to take Winky Wright early in 09 or is Wink still trouble for Pavlik. Things change, and fighters improve or age. I think Pavlik has gotten better, and age cannot improve Wink. This one is a tough call now, where a year ago I would have chosen Wink without hesitation. What do you think?

Answer 1

Well, first,I think a slightly younger version of Wright would win a tight decision, in my view...... but despite my own view, I think Wright get robbed by the judges. In a jabbing battle, I think the judges would look at the man who is throwing the harder jab, which would be Pavlik.

Now, with Wright being older and seemingly taking more risk as of late, I think Pavlik would win a unimpressive decision. I say unimpressive, because I don't really see Wright giving up too many opportunities for Pavlik to score a knockout, which is something that fans like about Pavlik.

Answer 2

Kelly Pavlik by split decision. Winky hasn't fought so much recently and he's beginning to age faster because of it. Pavlik on the other hand is at his prime and fighting tougher opponents now as time progresses.

Answer 3

Kelly Pavlik

Answer 4

Wink is the best pure boxer in the sport - yes, better than Mayweather. He could win some early rounds against Pavlik, but Wink has never fought anyone who can swat like Pavlik, and he doesn't hit hard enough to keep Pavlik off of him. Pavlik would eventually break Winky down and then stop him around round 10.

Answer 5

Dating back to Wright vs. Taylor, the fight was a draw. Winky let down his defensive boxing style and decided to brawl with Taylor. If he decides to brawl out with Pavlik, then most certainly, Pavlik will teach Winky a lesson on brawling because           Kelly Pavlik is a harder, heavier, and more accurate puncher than Jermaine Taylor. Certainly would be a h**l of a fight. Even if  Winky fights with his defensive style, I believe that the younger and more fresh Pavlik will have an edge and win the fight by decision.

Answer 6

I wish that Bob Arum would match Pavlik with Wright after he takes care of Gary Lockett, but now Arum is saying that undeserving Marco Antonio Rubio is next after Lockett.  That sucks because Wright does deserve another shot at the title even though he is coming off a loss to Bernard Hopkins- remember that loss took place at 170 pounds and Wright was still pretty competitive.  However, as much as it pains me to say it, I do believe that Winky Wright has started to slip and his inactivity is not doing him any favors.  Kelly Pavlik on the other hand is at his peak right now and its hard for me to imagine anyone beating him at 160 pounds.  Along with Arthur Abraham, I think that Wright has the best chance, but in all honesty, I see Pavlik beating both of them.  Wright would still make it a competitive fight and there is no way that he would be knocked out against Pavlik because he is still very good defensively, but I just think that Pavlik's high punch output would be too much for Wright at this stage of his career.  Wright would win some rounds, but in the end I think that Pavlik would win a unanimous decision.

Answer 7

I never thought that much of Wright. I think he is a good fighter, obviously. But the fact he is so tall for those weights. AND he is left handed. He is an odd fighter to fight, that does not make him anything to write home about. Wright is very beatable. Beside that, if I was Pavlik, I'd want to see Wright fight a time or two first. He gets a draw vs Taylor, then a loss to Hopkins? That does not earn you a title shot, sorry, it doesn't. He'd need a few pick up fights to get a shot at Pavlik, by then, he is too old.

Sorry, no title shot. Pavlik would win no matter what.

Answer 8

A good, tough, young, strong offensive fighter versus a defensive genius. First half of the fight, Winky will frustrate Kelly with tight defense and a good jab. Second half of the fight Kelly will wear Winky out with body shots and win a close decision.

Answer 9

Winky baby.

Answer 10

I believe it would still be a very good fight.  Winky is a very clever fighter with great defensive skills.  Pavlik of course is a champion and has improved a great deal since his earlier days.  He has size, strength and a distinct power advantage over Wright.  I think that Wright would give Pavlik trouble early in the fight, but Pavlik would wear him down by the middle rounds.  Pavlik might catch him with a bomb or two and possibly send him to the canvas,  Wright would survive and go the distance.  Pavlik by unanimous decision in my opinion.

Answer 11

Pavlik is the favorite because of his power and size but then again Winky's defense and experience, who knows? It might go 12.

Answer 12

Winky is tough for anyone, but I think age and weight issues are really catching up with him - he looked very drained against Hopkins in the later rounds.  And Pavilk will push him a lot harder than Hopkins just in activity rate.

Wright is certainly a great boxer, but I think his abilites get a bit exaggerated on these forums - remember, he lost to Fernado Vargas (even if you thought he won, it was still very close), he was beat earlier in his career, dominated even.  And, again, even if you think he did enough to beat Taylor, no one can say that it wasn't an extremely close fight.

I think Pavilk is disciplined enough to stick to a fight plan, which is what you have to do to beat Winky, you can't just expect to out think him as the fight goes on.  Winky has been hurt at 154, and Pavilk is a huge puncher at 160.  

I think he puts enough pressure on Winky (remember Jermaine only had trouble when he was backed into the ropes, when was the last time Kelly took more the 2 steps back a at a time?), lands enough hard punches to put Wright even more on the defensive, and takes a clear decision.

Answer 13

The only things that have improved in Kelly Pavlik is his ability to draw a huge crowd and his confidence.  

His skills have probably always been there. . . .I knew he was special the way he tore into Edison Miranda.  The Colombian toughman barely knew where he was after that one.  

While Winky is the king of long, drawn-out snoozefests. . . .I think Pavlik would really be able to dominate, and possibly, end the fight early.