Taylor Promises Exciting Rematch With Pavlik

Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor will fight for a second time on Feb. 16. (AP Images)

Former undefeated boxing champion Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KO's) says his Feb. 16 rematch with rival Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) will be a war.

"I'm not looking to go in there with a strategy," Taylor tells the Canadian Press. "It's going to be a fight, all 12 rounds. I'm going straight to him, all 12 rounds. He gets knocked out, I get knocked out, it don't matter. I'm going straight to him."

Pavlik took Taylor's championship title on Sep. 29, recovering from a second-round knockdown to TKO Taylor in the seventh. Anticipating their second fight, Pavlik says that Taylor's plan to come out aggressive could backfire. "He says he's going to come out and slug, but that could all change after one big right hand," Pavlik explains. "As soon as that one punch lands, I think he might change his mind."

After suffering his first defeat, Taylor activated a clause in his contract for an immediate rematch. While some boxing experts think the second fight comes too soon for him, Taylor disagrees and feels he's ready for the non-title rematch, which will be held at 166 pounds. "I don't need a tuneup fight," he says. "I believe in fighting the guy who got you."

Bet on Kelly Pavlik or see the Jermain Taylor odds in the Bodog Sportsbook. All lines subject to change.