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| Kelly Pavlik © Gallo Images |
Kelly Pavlik will defend his WBC middleweight title against fellow-American Miguel Espino in Youngstown, Ohio, on December 19.
Pavlik, whose record is 35-1 with 31 knockouts, beat Jermain Taylor for the title in 2007 and will make his third defence against Espino, who is at 20-2, with one draw and nine knockouts.
Pavlik suffered his only defeat when he stepped up in weight 13 months ago to face US legend Bernard Hopkins. He lost by unanimous decision, but bounced back to stop Mexico's Marco Antonio Rubio in the ninth round in February.
"I'm not going to allow Espino to be the Grinch who took my world title," Pavlik said on Tuesday.
Pavlik backed out of two fights against US southpaw Paul Williams because of to staph infection in his right hand but will step into the ring only two weeks after Williams, who replaced Pavlik for a December 5 fight in Atlantic City.
"It's going to be Seasons Beatings for Espino," Pavlik trainer Jack Loew said "Nothing but lumps of coal in his stocking plus a few lumps on his head."
Espino has a four-year, 11-bout win streak, including his past four victories by knockout. His most recent fight was a sixth-round stoppage of former world champion Alejandro Garcia of Mexico in March.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it," Espino said. "All fighters dream of the chance to
fight for a world title and now I'm living that dream. If Pavlik takes me lightly he'll be making a big mistake."
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