Kelly Pavlik earned an impressive seventh round knockout over former undefeated middle weight champion Jermain Taylor after earlier tasting the canvas himself. Pavlik showed incredible physical and mental toughness as he weathered several onslaughts and a vicious knockdown that would have put most tough fighters away. The way he carried himself throughout the entire fight makes him deserving to be crowned champion. Taylor on the other hand has to now struggle with proving his numerous critics right. Boxing is an unforgiving sport at times and Taylor will have to begin his career anew if he wants a page in boxing history.

The first round began at a blistering pace with both boxers trying to assert themselves by going toe to toe in the middle of the ring. Pavlik was able to keep perfect distance, while landing several effective right hands. In round two Pavlik made a mistake of putting himself in “no man’s land” where Jermain was able to land cleanly with a barrage of punches sending Pavlik to the canvas. Pavlik went to the canvas hard and to the surprise of many was able to get back up and survive the round by holding on. Taylor  expanded lots of energy trying to finish Pavlik off.

For the next four rounds the fight would remain a back and forth affair with Pavlik walking Taylor down behind a double jab and straight right hands. To his credit, Jermain was by no means a passive observer, as he landed well off the ropes and dominated in the middle of the ring when he chose to be aggressive. In round seven Pavlik surprised Taylor with an uppercut which stunned the champion. Seeing his opponent hurt was all the encouragement Pavlik needed, as he jumped on Taylor and pounded him into the corner forcing referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight as Taylor laid helplessly slumped in the corner of the ring.

In the end this fight came down to will power and desire. Before the fight Lenox Lewis mentioned that one of Taylor’s goals or main objectives was to make money. Having made money may have made Taylor a less hungry fighter. It is my humble opinion that somewhere along the way Taylor took his focus off the sport of boxing and instead focused it on the business aspect of it. Pavlik, however, was a hungry, determined fighter who would not be denied. He showed his toughness and determination when between rounds two and three he literally laughed off a brutal knockdown he suffered in round two. While Pavlik may not be as polished a boxer as Taylor or some other middleweights, his toughness more than makes up for anything he lacks in skill. It will be interesting to see how far this toughness takes Pavlik who will surely strive to improve upon his skill level for a future mega fight.