Taylor aims to regain middleweight title in rematch with Pavlik
It didn’t take long for Jermain Taylor to get another shot at Kelly Pavlik.
The MGM Grand is trying to finalize a Feb. 16 card that would feature Pavlik defending his newly won middleweight title against Taylor, the former champ. Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Mirage, is expected to meet today with Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who represents Pavlik, and Lou DiBella, who promotes Taylor.
Pavlik survived a second-round knockdown to overwhelm Taylor in the seventh round with a knockout. It was the first loss in Taylor’s career (29-1-1, 17 KOs), and Pavlik will come into the rematch 32-0 with 29 KOs.
“The first fight was spectacular,” Arum said.
Arum promises to make it affordable. Tickets will be priced at a maximum of $600, and the fight will be a pay-per-view event on HBO.
“We’re looking at reasonable ticket prices,” Arum said, no doubt hoping to attract Pavlik’s blue-collar fan base in Youngstown, Ohio.
DiBella told ESPN.com that all Taylor has wanted since the Sept. 29 loss was a chance at redemption.
“Jermain told me four times he wanted the rematch right after the fight,” DiBella told ESPN.com.