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Pavlik Finalizes Deal To Take On Hopkins

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 24, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has finalized a deal to fight longtime titlist Bernard Hopkins on Oct. 18 in Atlantic City, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Wednesday.

Arum is ambivalent about making the 170-pound fight between Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) and Hopkins, the cagey 43-year-old boxer who lost a narrow decision to Joe Calzaghe in April. But after potential matchups with Calzaghe and Arthur Abraham fell through, Arum and Pavlik decided to move up 10 pounds to face a famous opponent who specializes in messy, defensive fights.

"Kelly was looking for a big fight, and there was nobody around that qualified as a big fight," Arum said. "Even though we're not thrilled about fighting at 170 pounds, Hopkins was the only alternative."

JONES-CALZAGHE: The fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Joe Calzaghe is expected to be rescheduled for November.

Jones said in a statement it will likely take place Nov. 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York and be televised on HBO pay-per-view.

Go to Keyword: Boxing Report for results of Wednesday's Jeff Lacy-Epifanio Mendoza fight.

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