What were the reasons behind the fight? Why did Pavlik jump to LHW when he was the lineal Middleweight champion? I remember the fight happening but just assumed it was at MW. Just curious for the reasoning behind it or is it just about the money?
Edit: Thanks for all the responses!
Posted Aug 9, 2022, 10:24 PM UTC · edited
Pavlik had trouble making weight and thought Hopkins was ripe for the picking at a CW.
Instead Hopkins put on an absolute masterclass which Pavlik never really recovered from.
Pavlik had trouble making weight
This. Also Pavlik was deep into alcoholism by this time and could barely make it through a camp. He thought old Bhop would be an easy fight at an easier weight for him to make, that's all. Didn't work out for him but that's what he (and his team) was thinking.
Bhop was a big name and pavlik wanted to be the one to knock him out. Winky wright made the jump to 170 too.
From what I remember money.
Hopkins still had a big name to draw the viewers.
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There was a time where white American dudes got the bank thrown at them by HBO.
The Ghost was on fire but Hopkins was making that mythical run again and Kelly was served. Hopkins was on some other shit around that time.
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Ask Canelo because he did exactly that. But it wasn't fir money.
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Looking for an easy payday vs old Hopkins. Taylor had beaten Hopkins n pavlik crushed Taylor, calzaghe had just beat Hopkins. Pavlik was a massive favorite and easy payday, until the bell rang and Hopkins showed why he is ATG
even Jim Lampley had to admit defeat at the end of that broadcast. Bhop beat up all of HBO that night lol
Money, money, money. And an opportunity for Pavlik to add a legend to his resumé. Pavlik, maybe the hottest star in boxing at the time (he was exciting, could punch and was white) found himself in over his head and received a thorough boxing lesson. As I recall, the bout was fought at a catchweight. Maybe 170.