By Mark Pickering: Newly retired Welsh middleweight Gary Lockett believes the final opponent of his career, Kelly Pavlik, will overcome the wily Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City on Saturday. Lockett, 31, has first hand experience of American boxing’s greatest force. The Pocket Rocket was the first challenger to Pavlik’s WBC and WBO middleweight crowns in June and suffered the same fate as many before him. Locket was forced down to one knee on three occasions before his trainer Enzo Calzaghe threw in the towel in the third round.
The Cwmbran, Wales native believes Pavlik has the tools to take care of his old-school adversary Hopkins.
Lockett said: “I cannot see any other result than a Pavlik win, the big question for me is this – does he have the power and savvy to win inside the distance?”
“After doing a little research on the forums, I was somewhat surprised to see that most guys fancy Hopkins.
“I know that Pavlik is a heavy favourite with the bookies but obviously the fans think different. I just wonder why that is??
”It has been said that Pavlik only has a right hand but you cannot get to where he has with only one shot in your armoury. Ok, his right hand is his favourite and most powerful shot but how can we forget his ramrod jab and his correct left-hooks.
”For Hopkins to say that he only has ‘one bullet in the chamber’ is just clutching at straws.”
Locket says the defensive tactics of Hall of Fame bound Hopkins will disrupt Pavlik’s rhythm and shot selection but eventually the young knockout artist will start landing.
“No doubt Bernard will take Kelly’s right-hand away; no doubt he will frustrate him and show him angles and ring craft that he hasn’t encountered before – but only for so long.
”Hopkins has a poor work-rate, whereas Pavlik is relentless.
“Both Joe (Calzaghe) and myself will watch with interest.”