Pavlik Taylor II - Round by Round

11:09EST - Larry Merchant is staring at the camera and reciting bad poetry. Lampley kicks it up to Michael Buffer for the National Anthem from Airamis, who looks like MC Hammer with diabetes.


11:12EST - Tale of the tape shows Pavlik fighting at 169 and Taylor fighting at 171. I'm currently at 186 with a stack full of Nilla Wafers next to me.

11:15EST - Crowd booing Taylor upon entrance. Similar to first fight in AC. Youngstown apparently is again in the house. He looks a little nervous.

11:17EST - Pavlik walks to the ring. He may have a fat lip already. Crowd definitely pro-Pavlik. Both fighters have terrible robes. Very mid-80's wrestling star for both. Pavlik might have stolen his robe from Greg "The Hammer" Valentine.

11:19EST - Buffer doing his spiel. Ref is Tony Weeks. I think Taylor just handed him a wad of twenties. Judges look crooked. I'm predicting a screwjob.

11:21EST - Jermain is announced. He rubs his feet back and forth like a dog covering up a bone. This thing is definitely fixed.

11:22EST - Pavlik is announced. I think he mouths "I'm a drip" to the camera.

11:23EST - Merchant with more bad poetry.

11:23EST - Its on. Crowd behind Pavlik. Lots of measuring. Big jab for Pavlik. Taylor looks dry. Good jabs from Taylor. Pavlik covers up high. Taylor getting best of exchanges. Good right from Pavlik. Crowd cheers every punch from Pavlik regardless of accuracy. Pavlik landed more power punches in round but Taylor landed more jabs. Taylor 10-9.

11:25EST - Lederman had Round 1 for Pavlik. I feel even better about giving it to Taylor now. Handsome woman in first row keeps on clapping and distracting me. Taylor jabs his way through first round. Big punches (not really landing) from Taylor. Pavlik looks confident. Big right from Taylor. Doesn't seem to slow him down. Taylor winning exhanges. Taylor seems quicker to the punch. Taylor 10-9. Bring it on, Lederman.

11:28EST - In Taylor's corner, Ozell Nelson seems afraid to talk. Interesting. Lederman has it 1-1. Pavlik trying to find range with his left jab/right combo. Good combo from Taylor. Hard right from Taylor. Taylor seems sharper than first fight. Much more patient. Taylor continues to get best of exchanges. I find myself agreeing with Larry Merchant. Kill me. Taylor 10-9

11:33EST - Lederman has it 2-1 Taylor. Pavlik comes up with more urgency. Taylor moving well. Pavlik stalks with little success. Taylor not getting backed up to ropes. Moving around Pavlik. Good jabs from Taylor. Definitely Taylor's round. Skill beats heart. Taylor 10-9.

11:36EST - Jack Lowe in Pavlik's corner sounds nervous (probably pissed that he didn't do more public appearances to cash in on first win). Lederman has it 3-1 and he just strangled a hooker. Taylor looks very confident. Pavlik continues trying to measure Taylor with jabs followed by right hand. Big right from Taylor that Pavlik shakes off. Lampley just punched his girlfriend. Good straight right from Pavlik. Taylor's nose is bleeding. It could be the altitude though. Taylor continues to be sharper than Pavlik. Taylor 10-9.

11:40EST - Lederman has it 3-2 for Taylor. He freebased coke in between rounds. Taylor staying away. Pavlik's hands seem lower. Big right inside from Taylor. Good body shots from Taylor surprised Pavlik. Pavlik is much busier than Taylor in this round but not many have landed. Pavlik 10-9.

11:44EST - I think Ozell Nelson is reading Jermain a bus schedule. Lederman has it 4-2 for Taylor. Poet laureate Merchant has... the... fight.....even. Crowd trying to rally Pavlik. Left jab landing for Taylor. Pavlik is gaining momentum. Talor seems to be slowing down. Female judge seems to be squinting a lot. That can't be good. Pavlik 10-9.

11:48EST - Jack Lowe is cursing at Pavlik. Good stuff. Taylor seems a little tired. Pavlik seems poised to pounce. Blood from Pavlik's nose. Taylor playing good defense. Big right from Taylor. Close round. I'm giving it to....Taylor 10-9.

11:52EST - Lederman has it even. Pavlik told his handlers that he's "all ears" when they were chirping advice. Jermain had Ozell pick up a calzone for him in between rounds. Both fighters' hands seem lower. Defense may be slipping. Taylor lands good power punches. Pavlik continues to move forward. Good jab from Taylor. Taylor 10-9.

11:56EST - Pavlik giggling in his corner with the spit-man. I'm not kidding. Jack Lowe pleading with him to get serious. Lederman has it 5-4 for Pavlik. Merchant has it 6-3 for Pavlik. HBO commentators seem to be pushing for Pavlik. More marketable? Hard combo from Taylor. Close round. Taylor looks fresher. He's landing first. Taylor 10-9.

12:00EST - Ozell Nelson just tried to sell Jermain some old magazines. Good body shots from Taylor. Pavlik can't get into rhythm. First clinch of fight. Somewhere, Bonecrusher Smith is smiling. Taylor continues to get off first. Good combo from Pavlik. Taylor may be hurt. 10-9 Pavlik.

12:04ESt - Both corners imploring their guys that they NEED this round. Lederman has it 6-5 for Pavlik. Both throwing big punches. taylor looks tired. Taylor's right eye is swollen. Pavlik seems to have more of sense of urgency. Taylor backs away. Pavlik lowering his defense to try to deliver big punches. Taylor playing more defense. He's either tired or thinks he's ahead. Good jab from Pavlik. Good right from Pavlik. Taylor coming back. That's it. Pavlik 10-9.


I've got it 8-4 for Taylor. Lederman has it 7-5 for Pavlik. Merchant has it 8-4 for Pavlik. Let's see what the real judges (read "crooks") have it....


And the judges have it 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112 all for the winner Kelly Pavlik....