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[D-MARV]

A few weeks back, promoters Dan Goossen and Bob Arum of Top Rank held discussions on a possible middleweight bout between WBO/WBC champion Kelly Pavlik and multi-division contender Paul Williams.

"About three weeks ago, two weeks ago, I had discussions with Bob Arum regarding a possible Pavlik-Paul Williams fight. Now as we know, Paul Williams has fought at 160-pounds but he's actually a 147-pounder," Goossen said to BoxingScene.com's Thomas Schlabe.

Goossen tells BoxingScene that he pitched an even 50-50 deal and Arum wanted no part of the deal. Based on their recent runs in the ring, Goossen believes that both sides are entitled to an even split.

"Coming off that great win over Winky Wright, obviously Kelly is still reeling somewhat from the loss to Bernard Hopkins. Regardless of that, we feel that Paul is at the top of the divisions whether it's 147, 154, 160 or 168," Goossen said.

"I told Bob that I wasn't going to get into a situation where I thought, that based on Paul's recent win over Wright and Pavlik's recent loss to Hopkins - I wasn't going to sit there and put Pavlik at a smaller percentage. I told him that we would be willing to do the fight at 50-50, co-promotion and each side split it down the middle and Bob didn't want any part of it."

Top Rank recently spoke with HBO and three middleweight opponents are being looked at for Pavlik's return on October 3 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City - Winky Wright, Sergio Martinez and Felix Sturm.

[BigG]

I wouldnt have a problem with Pavlik taking on Sturm in a unification fight.

[Romulus9]

I wouldnt have a problem with Pavlik taking on Sturm in a unification fight.

My thoughts exactly. Right now, I'd rather see Pavlik fight Sturm, let Williams really do something worthwhile at 160, and earn a shot at a unified champion. It'd make for a much bigger fight for everyone involved.

[Sugar Q]

My thoughts exactly. Right now, I'd rather see Pavlik fight Sturm, let Williams really do something worthwhile at 160, and earn a shot at a unified champion. It'd make for a much bigger fight for everyone involved.

How much more worthwhile can you get after dominating Winky? Williams has every right to call out Pavlik. Hopefully Williams will go after Abraham's vacant title and force Pavlik and Sturm to fight him. Gotta give it up Williams just dominated a man nobody wants to fight. 50/50 is fair but 55/45 Pavlik wouldn't be bad either. Mad props to Williams for the gusto.

[STEVENSKI]

"Coming off that great win over Winky Wright, obviously Kelly is still reeling somewhat from the loss to Bernard Hopkins. Regardless of that, we feel that Paul is at the top of the divisions whether it's 147, 154, 160 or 168," Goossen said.

Who the hell do they think Williams is? Some kind of crossover superstar that can just hold his rankings & fight in any of 4 divisions? It is not that I don't respect what Williams is doing but he is at the top of the tree in 4 divisions? What has he actually done at 168? Why would he be a top contender at 147 when he has not seen that weight in 3 or 4 fights? This is all very confusing & sounds to me like they are placing a value similar to a mint conditioned boxed Gen 1 transformer from 1984 when he is more like a pre played with Megatron with a arm broken off value wise.

How much more worthwhile can you get after dominating Winky? Williams has every right to call out Pavlik. Hopefully Williams will go after Abraham's vacant title and force Pavlik and Sturm to fight him. Gotta give it up Williams just dominated a man nobody wants to fight. 50/50 is fair but 55/45 Pavlik wouldn't be bad either. Mad props to Williams for the gusto.

50/50 & 55/45 is far from fair. What type of PPV #'s has he done. What revenue has he shown he can generate to deserve 50/50. I am not talking about his fighting potential & ability which he has displayed in abundance. I am talking about generating money as that is the only way to get paid in full. Otherwise guys like JMM would be getting $10M per fight not Hatton.

In order for him to be worthy of facing Pavlik bring something to the table like a belt or better yet get the belt & go fight Sturm in Europe & then demand a fight with Pavlik.