Boxing fans have been clamoring for fights that make sense, matches that have meaning and that bring together two opponents who bring similar ability and desire to the table. HBO is giving us that in tonight's Taylor-Pavlik match up, and not a minute too soon, I may add. The date between champion Jermain Taylor and challenger Kelly Pavlik is also free of PayPerView fees and that only adds to the enjoyment this championship fight will bring. 

Who do I think will win tonight? I am going to make a daring prediction but first let me tell you why. I believe that HUNGER is a great  motivator  and in this fight, the hunger belongs to Pavlik.

It's been a bit disappointing to hear Taylor say he'll take the fight that will make him the most money when asked by Larry Merchant as to who he might want to fight next. Nothing wrong with making money, that's what makes the world go around, but, I find that when a fighter starts talking about money instead of wanting to fight X, Y or Z because he wants to be the best, prove he is the best and wants to remain the best, when that kind of talk spews from a boxer's mouth, I sense that his motivation is in the wrong place. It is even more disheartening coming from a man who has a top-notch promotional team. Call me crazy if you want, but that's just a bad indicator for me.

Furthermore, I really don't see how Emanuel Steward has improved anything about Jermain's skills. I don't see a real connection between them, and that could be a problem for Jermain against a no holds barred type fighter like Pavlik. 

How great has Taylor looked against 40-year-old and in survival mode Bernard Hopkins, soft-punching Winky Wright, (who hasn't stopped anyone since 2002) or soft-punching, blown up welterweight Cory Spinks, (who hasn't stopped anyone since 2001)? Should we call a draw against Wright, two split decisions (against Spinks and Hopkins) and a very close unanimous decision that went 115-113 all in the Hopkins rematch indicators of a champion's greatness? You make the call...

Kelly Pavlik is a no nonsense kind of guy who trains hard, who remains consistent in his preparation and in his effort in the ring. Granted that his level of competition hasn't been the same as Jermain's but I feel that 4 out of his last 5 fights in particular, have earned him the right to challenge what many view as a shaky champion.

I think the key to victory will hinge on Pavlik's body attack. Plain and simple. If Pavlik can get under Jermain's jab and hit him to the body, the fight will be his to win.

Borrowing a line from my fellow writer Chris Ackerman, what I want to see tonight is the emergence of a true champion. I just happen to think that champion will be Ohio's Kelly Pavlik.