Kelly Pavlik Wants to Unify the Middleweight Belts

Kelly Pavlik wants all of the middleweight belts. (AP Images)

Coming off his second win over Jermain Taylor (27-2-1), reigning WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (33-0) says he plans to capture the WBA and IBF titles as well.

"My No. 1 goal since I won the middleweight title has been to unify the belts," Pavlik tells Associated Press. "That's been a dream of mine since I started fighting, and that's what I'd love to do now. It's something special to be the champion that everybody recognizes, and that's a life goal of mine."

Currently, the IBF and WBA titles are held by German fighters Arthur Abraham (25-0) and Felix Sturm (28-2). If Pavlik can defeat them, he will be the first fighter to hold all four titles since Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1), who held the belts until Taylor beat him by split decision in July 2005.

Still, while Pavlik has certain opponents in mind, he says he's willing to fight anyone promoters choose. "It took me seven years to win the title, and I want to keep it for a while," Pavlik explains. "I'll fight whoever they throw out there, whatever is the best for the sport."

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