Kelly Pavlik stops Miguel Espino to retain titles

Kelly Pavlik stops Miguel Espino to retain titles

Pavlik was returning to the ring after 10 month absence

American Kelly Pavlik retained his WBC and WBO middleweight titles with a fifth-round stoppage of compatriot Miguel Espino in Ohio on Saturday.

Pavlik, returning after 10 months out with a hand infection, dropped Espino in the fourth with a stunning right uppercut and ended it a round later.
It was Pavlik's third successful defence of the two belts he won by defeating Jermain Taylor in 2007.
"I'm definitely back," said Pavlik, who holds a record of 36 wins and one loss.
Pavlik had not fought since a defence against Marco Antonio Rubio in February.
After winning the title in 2007 he made a successful first defence against Welshman Gary Lockett, then lost a non-title fight against Bernard Hopkins, before returning to defeat Rubio earlier this year.
"We're not going to have another lay-off," said Pavlik.
"The hand held up great. It's a little tender, but nothing ice can't fix."
Espino was rated the number three contender by the WBC, but few gave the Californian much of a chance in his first tilt at a major title.
He was deducted a point for punching after the bell following the first round, then was warned in the second and third for repeated low blows.
"I thought I hurt him a few times," said Espino.
"He didn't think I could hit. He thought he could bully me, but I don't remember taking one step back. If there was ever a day to take a champion down, today was the day."
Pavlik, 27, will now turn his attention to Paul Williams, whom he was supposed to fight on 3 October.
His hand infection originally caused the fight to be postponed until 5 December, and it was then cancelled when Pavlik realised his left hand was still injured.
American Williams decided to fight Sergio Martinez on that date instead, winning on points.
Pavlik said Williams is now the priority, but if another deal cannot be reached, he will turn his attentions to WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan Edwin Valero defended his WBC lightweight title by defeating Mexican Hector Velazquez, who retired on his stool at the end of the sixth round.
It was undefeated Valero's 26th straight victory inside the scheduled distance having won his first 18 fights as a professional in the opening round.