Season 3: #42 Kelly Pavlik

Former world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik hit the heights after back-to-back wins over Jermain Taylor. He was red hot, then, and he had a superb career with 40 wins against just 2 defeats. He was a big puncher who was involved in a number of fun fights.

There was a damaging loss up in weight against Bernard Hopkins before Pavlik dropped back down to 160lbs to defend his titles and after losing to Sergio Martinez he tried to make a fresh start in California but the moment had gone. Certainly, after a proposed fight with Andre Ward fell through he saw nowhere else to go.

Here, Pavlik talks about his life and reputation in Youngstown, his big fights, the fights he could have had against the like of Froch, Calzaghe and Kessler, his legacy and his start in boxing in a candid and frank interview.

Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon.

You can get access to research, unseen photographs from Boxing Life Stories, go behind the scenes of the podcast with Tris Dixon and even get some episodes early.

You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon

Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’

AND

DELCO SAFETY COMPLIANCE, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk

Follow Tris on twitter @trisdixon and instagram @trisdixon @boxing_life_stories