Pavlik Waiting On Answer From Calzaghe

So maybe Gary Lockett had no business being in a title fight. But it must be said, Kelly Pavlik looked mightily impressive as he utterly destroyed the Welshman on Saturday night in Atlantic City. One has to wonder, though, how would the pride of Youngstown look against the fighting pride of Wales, Joe Calzaghe, in a super middleweight tussle?

Bob Arum has been working on letting us all see how that plays out, he told TSS. Arum has talked with Frank Warren, and wants to see WBO/WBC middleweight king Pavlik (34-0) take on the unbeaten Calzaghe (45-0). The two promoters even mulled over a possible site, and according to Pavlik manager Cameron Dunkin, who chatted with TSS on Tuesday, some news on this front could break Friday. If Calzaghe isn’t into taking on the younger hitter, and prefers a safer alternative, like say, Roy Jones, Arum said he’d try and book two bouts for Pavlik to make up for the absent megamatch.

Marco Antonio Rubio (42-4), on an eight-fight win streak, and Ricardo Mayorga (29-6), still smiling after his handling of Fernando Vargas in November, could get the call to scrap with Pavlik. Others who will get a long look for Pavlik include: German IBF middleweight champ Arthur Abraham (26-0), if he handles Edison Miranda on June 21 and the Felix Sturm (29-2) vs. Randy Griffin (24-1) winner (they fight July 5).

Calzaghe/Pavlik is Option A in Arum’s eyes. “Frank Warren wants to do it,” Arum said. “He has to talk to Calzaghe. Kelly wants to fight Calzaghe.”

Arum also shed a little light on the future of Manny Pacquiao (46-3). If Pacman gets past rugged David Diaz (34-1) on June 28, and likes how he feels at 135, he’ll stick around in that neighborhood. In fact, he could perhaps be enticed to add on a few more pounds-—he might like that, he could eat all that rice he’s been saying no to—-and face off with Ricky Hatton in a megafight. Hatton has turned down Oscar De La Hoya, apparently, and he has a signed contract to fight Paul Malignaggi. But if someone were to offer Paulie a nice chunk of change to cool his heels, he might be amenable to waiting for awhile.

What about Manny against Oscar, Bob? “God knows what’s happening with Oscar,” he said. “We’re not looking at Oscar, but we’d consider an offer. Of course, Arum would love it if Oscar were to tap Miguel Cotto for a massive fall megamatch. “Oscar trumps all,” Arum said, “We would jump at that but the chances are slim to none.” Cotto (32-0) fans should keep an eye on the Aug. 2 Joshua Clottey (34-2) vs. Zab Judah (36-5) matchup. The vacant IBF 147 belt is up for grabs there, and if Clottey wins, he might be an option for Cotto. Cotto has already taken down Judah, of course. And if Antonio Margarito (36-5) pulls off the upset of the year on July 26, and upends Cotto in Vegas, a fight with Judah would make sense, if he handles Clottey. Paul Williams could factor in as well, after these bouts shake out, Arum said. Lots of “ifs” are in play here.

SPEEDBAG No, Carlos Quintana will not see if he can break the 1-1 tie, and step in with Long, Tall Paul Williams again, at least not right away. “Maybe somewhere down the line,” Dibella told TSS.

—WBC light heavy champ Chad Dawson (26-0) will see how the purse bid for a Dawson/Adrian Diacanu (25-0) beef goes down on Friday. If there is a good pot there, Bad Chad might meet the WBC interim champ, Canadian Adrian Diaconu. But there is more interest in a young lion vs. veteran lion showdown with Antonio Tarver (27-4), Dawson manager Mike Criscio tells TSS.