Pavlik is
coming off back-to-back wins against former middleweight champ Jermain Taylor;
their memorable showdown in September 2007 was named “Fight of The Year”.
Making his
American debut, Lockett also hails from an industrial town, but in the south of
Wales.
He’s on a six-year, 14-fight undefeated streak, and hasn’t lost since 2002. In
addition to his near-perfect professional career, Lockett compiled an
impressive amateur record of 90-8.
The Welsh
middleweight has been written off ahead of his showdown with Pavlik in
Atlantic City. For example, LP member, scientific KO has predicted,
“No brainer on this one, too strong, too well schooled ... too good ... the
Ghost by late rd KO.”
But locket
has something different in mind. "People
have American tinted glasses and they think they're unbeatable and have a god
given right to top every weight division," said Lockett.
"There's
no greater motivation for me and there's nothing more dangerous than a guy with
nothing to lose."
Unbeaten
American Pavlik is unequivocal favorite to crush Lockett at The Boardwalk and
retain his WBO and WBC in his first defense. In fact only one LP member, babyfaceassasin 1-1 ( 0
KOs
) 22 points, has predicted a Locket win.
"But
what I can't believe is that they've got nothing to judge me on, I can't
believe people are writing me off before I start.
"Nobody
expects me to go past two rounds against Pavlik so if the worst comes to the
worse and I do get blasted out early, then so be it - write me off.
"I've
only been put down once in my whole career - amateur or professional, fighting
or sparring.
"I
know I haven't been in with a big-hitter like Kelly Pavlik before but I'm not
going to beat myself before I've started. In my mind I believe I can beat
him."
Lockett's
only defeat was to Yuri Tsarenko in a WBO Inter-Continental light middleweight
title by a split decision in November 2002.
Pavlik, on
the other hand, is five years younger and beat Jermain Taylor in
Las Vegas to win the
undisputed world middleweight title.
"I've
got nothing but respect for Pavlik," said Lockett, coached by Joe Calzaghe’s
trainer and father Enzo Calzaghe
"He is
a very determined fighter and I'll have to kill him to beat him. He's a
throwback to the old school style of fighter, he's relentless and fearsome.
Discuss in
forum: Is Pavlik v Lockett going to be one sided?
"But
the Americans have under-estimated me and with the question marks over his
motivation and my chin, power and heart, I've highlighted a few things where I
can shock Pavlik - and the world.
"I've
got nothing to prove but I want my family to be proud of me and I'm not there
to make up the numbers."
Giant
former cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli has been Lockett's main
sparring partner for the fight of his life.
"Enzo
is probably the best sparring I could have wished for when preparing for
Pavlik," says Lockett.
"Enzo
is similar to Pavlik; he's tall, rangy, athletic, fights on the front foot and
he is probably a bigger hitter than Pavlik - and Enzo has landed some huge
shots that I just couldn't get away from.
"But
I'm ready for the fight of my life and I'm feeling great."
Be sure to
make your prediction for this fight, as well as Forrest vs Mora and Ponce De
Leon vs Juan Manuel Lopez.
