Kelly Pavlik suffers injuries..Codrington-Bika Fight of the Year?…UFC 78 plans busy week…James Toney plots return. Does anyone care? By GEORGE WILLIS
The cuts middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik suffered to his hands and forearms while repairing a broken window at his house on Nov. 5 wonât threaten a proposed rematch on Feb. 16 against former champion Jermain Taylor.
Pavlik suffered three âsuperficial lacerationsâ to his right arm and hand and three other minors cuts to his left forearm and hand, but there was no tendon damage, according to Dr. Sandy P. Naples of Poland, Ohio. The cuts were sealed with stitches that wonât be removed until Nov. 16. Pavlik isnât schedule to begin training until the second week in December.
Though nothing has been officially announced, Pavlik will meet Taylor Feb. 16 in Las Vegas. Pavlik took Taylorâs WBC/WBO titles with a seventh-round knockout last September in Atlantic City.
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The NYSAC will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to reduce the suspension and fine imposed on promoter Dino Duva for his actions during the Sam Peter-Jameel McCline heavyweight fight last October at the Garden. Duva was suspended for six months and fined $10,000 for peeking at the judgesâ scorecards during the fight. Duva met with the NYSAC last week to appeal the penalties.
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Stoggy boxing writers will have to decide whether a fight on The Contender television series is worthy of being The Fight of the Year. The final between Jaidon Codrington of Queens and Sakio Bika of Africa was an all-out slugfest. Codrington was dropped 30 seconds into the fight by a hard right hand from Bika. But as Bika tried to finish a Codrington left hook caught him flush on the chin, sending him to the canvas. Bika barely survived the round, but the two super middleweights traded heavy leather until Bikaâs power finally overwhelmed Codrington in the eighth round. The bout was live on ESPN with $750,000 to the winner, which helps its authenticity. But the Hollywood feel might turn off some purists. Iâve got it in the top three for 2007 along with Cotto-Judah and Vasquez-Marquez II.
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UFC 78:Validation intends to spread the message of mixed martial arts in Newark with a week-long list of activities leading up to the Nov. 12 card at the Prudential Center. Open workouts, press conferences and autograph signings are all on the menu. Tickets sales are brisk as the UFC hopes to make a huge statement in New Jersey, which could benefit from New Yorkâs resistance to sanction the popular sport. New York is enjoying a boxing renaissance, with nearly 40 shows staged statewide in 2007, but its missing out on the big dollars mixed-martial arts is bringing in to other states.
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James Toney comes off his second steroid suspension on Nov. 25 and is looking to get back in the ring. But it will take a special effort by his promoter Dan Goossen to rehabilitate Toneyâs career. Goossen has two better heavyweight prospects in unbeaten Eddie Chambers, who out-pointed Calvin Brock last week, and rugged Cris Arreola. Speaking of Goossen, he might have struck gold in St. Lucia. The resort island wants to use boxing to promote tourism. Andre Ward on Nov. 16 headlines Goossenâs first fight card there.
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Bronx native Frankie âEl Gatoâ Figueroa will defend his NABF light welterweight championship on Nov. 16 in Kissimmee, Fla. Figueroa (17-2, 13 KOs) will face Noel Rodriguez of Mexico (13-1 5 KOs) in the main event of a Telemudo telecast.
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