His trainer says middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will defend his titles next month against Miguel Espino, in Pavlik's first fight since February.
Trainer Jack Loew tells The Associated Press that Pavlik (35-1,31 KOs) signed the contract Monday for a Dec. 19 bout at the Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University in Pavlik's hometown.
Pavlik has been battling complications from a hand injury and twice had to back out of fighting Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs), who's now facing Sergio Martinez on Dec. 5. Loew says therapy on Pavlik's hand has been going well.
The trainer calls Espino (20-2-1, 9 KOs) "dangerous" and says the fight is no "tuneup bout" for Pavlik. But Loew says his fighter would like to take on Williams next, if Williams gets by Martinez.
