Kelly Pavlik Could Fight In Cowboys Stadium, Arlington Later This Year - If He Can Get Past Martinez -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

The hugely successful idea of holding a big fight inside The Dallas Cowboys incredible stadium in Arlington, Texas looks as though it will not prove to have been a one-off. Hot on the heels of "The Event," between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, which attracted over 50,000 fans to the stadium that cost around $2 billion to build, comes news that promoter Bob Arum is looking at having middleweight king Kelly Pavlik fight there later on this year.

According to Joe Scalzo of Vindy.com, Arum has talked to Cowboys stadium owner Jerry Jones about the idea of Pavlik defending his world middleweight title at the venue this year..

"Jerry [Jones] was very impressed when he met Kelly [Pavlik], and he told me he's looking forward to Kelly fighting a main event in Cowboys Stadium," Arum said. "When I spoke to Kelly, his eyes opened wide."

This idea, though a hugely intriguing one, is reliant on Pavlik winning his next fight; against the dangerous southpaw Sergio Gabriel Martinez on April 17th. By no means is this a definite winning fight for the man known as "The Ghost," and knowledgeable fight fans are well aware of this. Pavlik, still only two wins removed from his terribly humbling experience at the hands of Bernard Hopkins, will be facing the man who came thisclose to beating the highly regarded Paul Williams last time out. Very much having the look of a 50-50 fight, Pavlik-Martinez could conceivably go either way.

Speaking of "The Punisher," his name is one of three that have been mentioned as possible opponents to face Pavlik at Cowboys Stadium if the idea comes to fruition. Knowing Pavlik would need a fighter who is also a big name to help fill the huge arena, Arum has reportedly looked at Williams, Lucian Bute and Winky Wright.

As fans know, the Pavlik-Williams fight was almost a go two times last year; until finally falling apart. If the match-up we all still want to see could get re-made this year, holding it in such a grand setting would make the wait worthwhile. Pavlik-Wright is not as exciting a prospect, but this prospective bout is also a pretty solid-looking one. However, the fight that probably has the best chance of happening out of the three is the one with Lucian Bute.

The reigning IBF 168-pound champion, who meets power-punching Colombian Edison Miranda the same night Pavlik meets Martinez, has had his name put next to Pavlik's before now. Pavlik could make the move up to super-middleweight in search of his second world title, and if both men win on April 17th, who knows; this explosive-looking battle might take place in what is one of the best sporting venues in the world.

Pavlik's clash with Martinez now looks to be even more a must-win fight for Youngstown's finest!

Source: eastsideboxing.com