Kelly Pavlik has choice words & advice for Chavez Jr: “Try to make weight… or retire.”

Kelly Pavlik has choice words & advice for Chavez Jr: “Try to make weight… or retire.”

Kelly Pavlik is no stranger to middleweight challenges. The retired former world champion is still a student of his weight class, and well versed in battles inside and outside the ring. Prior to retiring, Pavlik was slated to fight Brian Vera (23-6), and his opinion?  That Julio Chavez Jr. (46-1) will have his hands full come fight night.

“I was supposed to fight Vera,” Pavlik said, “and it’s going to be a tough bout for Chavez.” Several things are in Vera’s favor, Pavlik said. “Vera coming in shape, if the fight goes the distance, he has a good chance of winning. He’s awkward, punches from all different angles, and is just a different type of fighter.” Chavez not being known for an amazing defense, Pavlik said, is great for what Vera brings to the fight. “This kid can fight, and he knows how to break people down. This fight will be a lot closer than people think, and I don’t see Chavez knocking him out. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised.”

Nearly eclipsing the fact Chavez has a fight this weekend are his weight issues; Pavlik didn’t mince words on that topic. “He’s notorious for not making weight and weigh-ins,” he said. “Chavez has got his issues,” he continued. “To be honest,” Pavlik cut right to the chase, “if he quit smoking pot, he’d be all right. You smoke pot, you get the munchies.” Chavez Jr., Pavlik also noted, has a built in mechanism for being able to elude with his weighty offenses. “His father, being Chavez Sr., and the friend of the W.B.C. Chairman, Junior gets away with it. I hit a lamppost with an ATV; it’s headline news for three or four days. He should have been fined, stripped of his titles and not able to fight.”

Seeing Chavez struggle with the 160-pound weight limit, Pavlik predicts no easy refuge for him at super middle. “If he moves up, I don’t see him doing well at all,” he said. “Froch stops him, Kessler beats him and Andre Ward? He embarrasses him.”  With options running out as a middleweight, and the future seeming dismal in a bigger weight class, what advice does Pavlik offer Chavez Jr.?

“Honestly,” Pavlik said, “he’d better off TRYING to make his weight. He’s not going to be a top guy at 168. I guarantee, Will Rosinsky, who I fought beats him. I’d tell him to retire. You’re not your dad. You’ve made your money and you’re a world champion; Quit before you get hurt.”

-Amy Green/ @amygreenPR

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