You are in > manchester.com  > News > Pavlik dominates Taylor in Las Vegas fight

Boxing

Pavlik dominates Taylor in Las Vegas fight

17/02/2008

Kelly Pavlik maintained his unbeaten record after beating Jermain Taylor on points in Las Vegas.

This latest victory comes after Pavlik beat Taylor twice in 2007 to take his WBC and WBO middleweight belts and his continued dominance over the former champion was apparent from the start of their MGM fight.

In comparison to Pavlik's 845 punches, Taylor maintained a cautious approach throughout, throwing just 456.

However, it was only in the final three rounds of the contest that The Ghost's aggressive tactics started to pay off and a series of hard jabs in the 11th round were more than enough to sway the judges' decision in Pavlik's favour.

Judge Dave Moretti had it as 117-111, while Patricia Morse Jarman and Glenn Trowbridge also called favoured Pavlik, scoring the contest 115-113 and 116-112 respectively.

The victor explained that both boxers had raised their games since their last meeting, resulting in a more tactical fight, where Taylor's tiredness ultimately proved his undoing.

"My jab and punches landed more this time," he said.

"Nothing will top the first victory over Jermain, but it was a great win tonight."

Pavlik is now expected to return to middleweight in order to defend his titles, while Taylor is likely to switch to super-middleweight.