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<\/a><\/p>\nThis Saturday, April 17th, the Middleweight Championship of the world is on the line.\u00a0 Champion Kelly Pavlik will defend his title against veteran contender Sergio Martinez.\u00a0 Pavlik won his title in 2007 by scoring a stunning knockout of Jermain Taylor.\u00a0 Since his signature wins over Taylor, Pavlik\u2019s career has been up and down but he has managed to hang on to his belts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Challenger Sergio Martinez just recently rose to prominence as a widely respected contender recently despite being a pro since 1997.\u00a0 Sergio fought the majority of his career in Argentina and Europe, but his greatest success has come in his recent fights in the United States.\u00a0 Martinez offered brutally tough resistance to highly ranked and respected contenders Kermit Cintron and Paul Williams.\u00a0 Martinez came away with a loss and a draw from those two matches, but earned the respect of the fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n The writers from RSR offer their predictions for this evenly matched, interesting title bout.\u00a0<\/p>\n Geno McGahee<\/strong><\/p>\n Sergio Martinez is a wonderful fighter and\u00a0is just the sort to frustrate a guy like\u00a0Kelly Pavlik.\u00a0 I’m picking a minor upset here with Martinez winning via unanimous decision,\u00a0unless we get the same judges that scored his fight with Kermit Cintron.\u00a0 Great fight.<\/p>\n \u201cBad\u201d Brad Berkwitt<\/strong><\/p>\n Sergio Martinez by unanimous decision.<\/p>\n Mike Plunkett<\/strong><\/p>\n I’m leaning towards Sergio Martinez\u2019s slickness, angles and hand speed to see him through the rough spots that Kelly Pavlik will surely put him through when they meet.\u00a0 While I wouldn’t be shocked to see Pavlik wear Martinez down and stop him late, I have a feeling that the game Argentinean has just enough experience, moves and guile to edge the bigger champ and take the crown via a close unanimous nod down the stretch.<\/p>\n Gina L. Caliboso<\/strong><\/p>\n Wow \u2013 the rangy sometimes unpredictable Kelly \u201cGhost\u201d Pavlik will go up against Sergio Martinez \u2013 the last fighter to knock down Paul Williams?\u00a0 This is a great match up.\u00a0 Both Pavlik and Martinez have a lot to prove, notably Pavlik because he\u2019s on a comeback for respect.\u00a0 Pavlik avoided Williams for most of last year and Martinez gave Williams a fight in their last meeting.\u00a0 I predict Martinez will defeat Pavlik over 12 rounds, but notwithstanding, Pavlik\u2019s reach and size usually looks good and his inside fighting combinations can have him tasting victory.\u00a0 If Martinez has done any fine tuning since the Williams fight, it\u2019s that he must stay in the fight from the get go and wear down his opponent.\u00a0 He cannot be intimidated by Pavlik at all.\u00a0 Prediction: Martinez over 12 rounds with a split decision.<\/p>\n Eoin Redahan<\/strong><\/p>\n I can see this being a frustrating night for Pavlik.\u00a0 While Pavlik’s power will trouble Martinez, I can see\u00a0him struggling with the Argentine’s speed and wiliness.\u00a0 I’m going to say that Martinez becomes the victim of yet another dubious decision loss.<\/p>\n Jeff Stoyanoff<\/strong><\/p>\n It is hard to imagine that Sergio Martinez won’t have a fair amount of success in this fight.\u00a0 He moves incredibly well and Pavlik, simply put, does not.\u00a0 Martinez should create many of the same angles that Hopkins used to bedevil Pavlik when they fought last year.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, Martinez will likely have to fight at a pace that is hard for any fighter to maintain and he has a noted tendency to fade late in fights.\u00a0 Martinez will surge to a lead on the cards, but,\u00a0the supremely conditioned Pavlik will begin to break Martinez down as he begins to tire in the second half of the fight.\u00a0 Pavlik by TKO in round 11 or 12.<\/p>\n Brian Wilbur<\/strong><\/p>\n Martinez is a skilled opponent who has all of the tools to follow the game plan of how to beat Kelly Pavlik laid down by Bernard Hopkins.\u00a0 This will not be easy for Pavlik it all, and kudos to him for taking on such a tough opponent.\u00a0 I am banking on Pavlik learning from his mistakes and improving since the Hopkins fight, and for his size advantage to play a role.\u00a0 Pavlik wins a close unanimous decision but takes significant damage in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dan \u201cTex\u201d Cohen<\/strong><\/p>\n Pavlik vs. Martinez pits a large, stalking power hitter against a snake-like serpent with versatile chops and plenty of volume.\u00a0 Expect a good fight.\u00a0 Some are leaning toward Martinez based on his performances against Kermit Cintron and Paul Williams.\u00a0 I see Kelly Pavlik as a bigger challenge than either of those guys.\u00a0 For one, he hits a helluva lot harder.\u00a0 For two, his punches are based largely on accuracy and advantageous leverage from intelligent countering.\u00a0 Pavlik won’t be as open as Williams.\u00a0 The most overlooked X-factor in this fight?\u00a0 The age of Martinez.\u00a0 At 35 years old, you just never know when this guy will lose a step.\u00a0 For a fighter that relies on speed, that’s a big deal.\u00a0 Pavlik by close UD or late stoppage.<\/p>\n SJ Jarapa<\/strong><\/p>\n Kelly Pavlik in 4!\u00a0 Right hook on the chin brings the KO!<\/p>\n Geoff Poundes<\/strong><\/p>\n I think Martinez will give Pavlik a few problems, but expect Kelly to be too strong over twelve rounds and come out with a unanimous decision.<\/p>\n Final Tally Advertise Now On RSR<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ringsidereport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/team-picks-header.jpg\" "\\"team")
<\/a>Compiled by Brian Wilbur<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nKelly Pavlik \u2013 6
\nSergio Martinez \u2013 4<\/strong><\/p>\n