The Epic Battle Continues...
Much anticipated Pavlik-Taylor rematch on Saturday

February 12, 2008

By Edgar Gonzalez / Photos: Big Joe Miranda

It might have been another day in Beverly Hills for some people, but for undefeated middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost “ Pavlik and former undisputed world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor it was intense Monday morning during their press conference at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, Calif. Pavlik (32-0, 29KO’s) from Youngstown, Ohio will face Taylor (27-1-1 17KO’s) from Little Rock, Arkansas will collide for the second time on Saturday at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Their first battle became an instant classic and has fight fans still buzzing about their all action ring-war. Fighting this time at 166 pounds, when they face-off in a PPV battle of epic proportions.

"A lot of people have said to me, why don't take a tune-up and get your confidence back I don't need a tune-up to get my confidence back, I never lost my confidence. I can beat Kelly Pavlik," stated Taylor.

"I choose do this rematch because I want to beat the guy who beat me. I don't want to waste anytime with any tune-up fights. That's what the fans want to see.

“I might have taken Kelly Pavlik for granted, and that’s because when you haven’t lost, you're supposed to be the best so you get comfortable. I underestimated him and I learned something from the loss. I'm not taking anything away from him, but I'm coming to get back everything he took from me. I'm very focused for this fight, everything is on the line with me for this fight.

“I got my butt kicked the last time. I have my old trainer back so I'm putting it in my trainer's hands (Ozell Nelson), but I'm putting it in mine also, because I know exactly what I have to do. Ozell has been with me from the beginning, he knows the buttons to push with me that made me a world champion. We are ready to go back to work like we used to do it,” Taylor concluded.

Pavlik was brief in his comments.

“I have made a career out of fighting and beating the best and this fight is no exception,” said Pavlik. “Just because I beat Jermain before doesn’t take away from the fact that he is still the best contender out there. I dedicated my entire being to training to take away his title when we fought the first time and I will do no less to make sure I win this time because that’s what it will take to beat him again.”

Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini both spoke very highly of Pavlik. Mancini, another champion from Youngstown, advised Kelly, "It’s borrowing time. You have to enjoy it. The same people who call you champ, call you a bum on the way out."

“Taylor-Pavlik was one of the great middleweight fights in memory and a fight that truly deserves a second go, said Lou DiBella, CEO of DiBella Entertainment, Taylor’s promoter. “I am proud to be co-promoting the rematch and I’m confident that Jermain can reverse the first result.”

The Pavlik-Taylor II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95. Tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200, and $100, are on sale at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Tickets will also be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations and there limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or MGM Grand at (800) 929-1111. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com