December 19th, 2009 Beeghly Center, Youngstown, Ohio ~ WBC middleweight title ~ ~ WBO middleweight title ~
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/box/news...ShgM6?slug=ap-pavlik-espino&prov=ap&type=lgns YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP)—Kelly Pavlik stopped Miguel Espino in the fifth round Saturday night to defend his middleweight titles, ending a difficult year on a high note. After a 10-month layoff because of a staph infection on his left hand, the WBC and WBO champ dropped Espino to a knee in the fourth round with staggering rights. Pavlik knocked Espino down again in the fifth, and referee Steve Smoger stepped in at 1:44 into the round. Kelly Pavlik, left, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Miguel Espino pose after the weigh-in on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at Beeghly Center in Youngstown, Ohio. Pavlik will defend his middleweight boxing title Saturday. It was the third successful title defense for Pavlik, who was back in his hometown on the campus of Youngstown State. Pavlik (36-1, 32 KOs) hadn’t fought since beating Marco Antonio Rubio on Feb. 21 across town at the Chevrolet Centre. Espino (20-3-1) was rated the No. 3 contender by the WBC, though few gave the fighter from North Hollywood, Calif., much of a chance.
