Williams opts to move on after Pavlik scraps bout | Chris Mannix's Boxing Blog

Kelly Pavlik's ongoing problems with a staph infection on his left hand left Paul Williams with a choice: reschedule the middleweight championship fight for a second time, or move on.

Williams has elected to move on.

Williams' promoter, Dan Goossen, told SI.com on Wednesday night that he will keep the Dec. 5 date and find another opponent for Williams. HBO Vice President Mark Taffet confirmed that -- assuming the two sides could come to an agreement on an acceptable opponent -- the fight would still be broadcast on HBO.

"I could sit here and say a lot of things that don't need to be said," Goossen told SI.com. "It doesn't help that we are facing this again. We want to keep Paul's activity going. He's on his way to becoming a star."

A source of irritation for Goossen were comments made by Pavlik's trainer, Jack Loew, to The Youngstown Vindicator. Loew told the Ohio newspaper that he had been trying to keep Pavlik's injury problems "a secret" and that, at this point, "I'm not going to fool anybody any longer."

"I think his words say everything you need to know," said Goossen. "His own words allow you not to have to speculate as to what was going on behind the scenes. We rescheduled [the October fight] knowing full well what we thought could happen. And it did."

Goossen said that he is considering several opponents and will have an announcement by the end of the week. He did not specify what weight class Williams -- a former two-time welterweight (147 pounds) champion who holds an interim title at junior middleweight (154) and was preparing for his third fight at middleweight (160) -- will compete at, just that Williams "will fight for or defend his title in December."

The cancellation also comes as a big blow to HBO, which was counting on Williams-Pavlik to be the anchor for their end of the year boxing schedule. That card also was scheduled to feature a fight between two former welterweight titlists, Joshua Clottey and Carlos Quintana. But because Clottey is promoted by Pavlik's promoter, Top Rank, that fight is reportedly off.

Comments (4) Add A Comment

October 22, 2009 10:36 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Thanks for an informative piece. I'm a huge boxing fan who can understand why so many are disillusioned with the sport. Jack Loew and Pavlik should be ashamed of themselves. Paul Williams has goals and dreams just like Kelly has. Williams is the real thing, a true talent but now he, his promoter, and HBO have a very small window of time to sign a truly acceptable opponent for Paul. And Clottey and Quintana, they both are at critical career junctures, and now they're adversely affected.

Spartan68

Tulsa, OK

Total Comments (86)

October 23, 2009 01:02 PM ET

What a farce - how bad can a staph infection be?! Did his hand fall off?

Soooooo glad Hopkins destroyed this fool when they fought. I'm done with Pavlik - maybe I'll tune in someday to watch him get beat down again

bluehens#1

Total Comments (43)

October 27, 2009 07:58 AM ET

I am sure his infection affects his performance.....Give the guy a break.....he wants to be at his best when he steps into the ring....especially with a tough opponent like Williams. Fighters want to be at there best when they step into the ring, that way they do not have an excuse if they lose. Just like when Tommy Hearns cancelled and rescheduled the first fight with Marvin Hagler(because of his pinky). A PRIZE FIGHTER wants to be at his best when he steps into the ring.

Anyhow, I still think Williams will outpoint Kelly via Unanimous Decision.