By Mark Vester
The decision was suppossed to come down on Monday from Top Rank, but nothing was set as WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is still without an opponent for June 7 in Atlantic City. The Vindicator reports that Pavlik’s co-manager, Cameron Dunkin, met with Top Rank on Monday to discuss some possible opponents for Pavlik’s June date.
Nothing was set and the final decision may not be announced until the middle or end the week. There are five possible names, Giovanni Lorenzo, Gary Lockett, Marco Antonio Rubio, Randy Griffin and an unnamed fighter who the paper reports to have "just entered the picture."
According to Dunkin's interview with the paper, the problem with finalizing an opponent is the amount of money that all of the possible names are demanding. Dunkin says that all of the five fighters being considered are making demands as if they are "big name" opponents. The high purse demands are likely due to the original demand by John Duddy, who some say was going to receive around $1.2 to $1.4 million for the fight, initially scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York. Duddy sustained a serious cut above his left eye during a New York bout on February 23, and was forced to withdraw his name from the Pavlik date.
“We’re trying to get it where they all stop thinking they’re worth so much money,” Dunkin said. “These guys should be happy for the opportunity.”