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.

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