The Outdoor Life Network made its professional boxing debut broadcast with a show at Mohegan Sun Arena and a six bout card that featured several world ranked fighters in competitive match-ups.  The result was an exciting evening of fistic festivities and a great start for the network's new relationship with the Sweet Science.

In the main event, Ohio's undefeated middleweight Kelly Pavlik defeated Bronco McKart in an exciting bout that thrilled the small but enthusiastic crowd.  Both men started fast and began exchanging hard blows in round number one, with the veteran McKart doing well in the early going.  McKart's southpaw style appeared to be an advantage as he was able to deflect the heavier punches of Pavlik with shoulder rolls and his right glove which brushed some of the shots away.  But Pavlik was getting his licks in and was digging hard punches to the waist of McKart, a fighter who spent much of his career six pounds lighter in the junior middleweight division.

Despite a swelling right eye, McKart managed to score a flash knockdown in the fourth round.  When Pavlik got up he was all business and his heavier blows were clearly starting to take their toll on McKart.  Pavlik stung McKart along the ropes above press row in the fifth and a huge right hand dropped McKart to the canvas.  McKart was up at the count of nine but Ref. Ricky Gonzalez waved off the bout at 2:45 of round number six.

"I ruined his whole game-plan from the first round on," said Pavlik afterwards.  "He wasn't impressed with my resume. He looked past me and I didn't look past him."

Pavlik improved to 28-0 (25) and retained his NABF middleweight title with the kayo victory.  He is now in line for a possible shot at middleweight king Jermain Taylor and rumors are that Lou DiBella, Taylor's manager/promoter might be interested with the undefeated puncher from Ohio.  For his part Pavlik vowed to continue fighting and winning as there is little more he can do to create a title shot.   

"It's out of my hands, we'll see what happens," said Pavlik.  "I gotta pray to the boxing gods."

Bronco McKart is now 48-7 (31) and said later that his career isn't over.

"He's stronger than I thought he was actually," said McKart.  "He throws a lot of hard shotsﾅand they add up." 

In the co-feature, Anthony Thompson improved to 22-1 (16) with a TKO victory over

Mohammad Said.  In a display of hand speed and power punching, Thompson whacked away at the rugged and durable Said for eight mostly one-sided rounds.  In the ninth a hard Thompson right hand behind the ear made Said take a knee; clearly hurt, Said beat the count but referee Danny Schiavone waved off the bout giving Thompson the TKO victory.    

Said is now 17-5-1 (10).

Later, Thompson talked about his increase in confidence since his kayo loss to Grady Brewer, an upset defeat that nearly smashed his dreams as one of boxing's young prospects.

"People don't understand that pressure," said Thompson.  "I work so hard in the gymﾅon keeping my composure.  Everybody thought this was gonna be a rough fight and it really wasn't a rough fight.  This victory just rejuvenated my career."

Almazbek Raiymkulov, also known as Kid Diamond, scored a fourth round knockout over Antonio Wong with a vicious left hook to the belly.  After a slow start Raiymkulov began digging numerous left hooks to the side of Wong, tenderizing the spot where he eventually landed the finishing blow.  With the win Raiymkulov improved to 22-1-1 (13) while Wong dropped to 11-6-1 (7).

Hartford CT featherweight Mike Oliver won a unanimous decision over Jose Hernandez.  Hernandez, who was busier and pressured Oliver throughout the bout, didn't receive a single round on Judge Tom Kazcmarek's scorecard, a fact that mystified this observer as well as several other writers in press row that saw Oliver as the recipient of a stereotypical hometown decision.  Although Oliver came on in the last several rounds and tried like hell throughout, his smart counter-punching was largely ineffective in disrupting Hernandez's attack.  The unanimous decision win brings Oliver's record to 15-0 (7) while Hernandez falls to 6-5 (3).

In the first bout of the evening heavyweight Eric Fields made his professional debut with a first round knockout over Tim Harris.  Referee Ken Ezzo called a halt to the bout at 2:24.  Fields is now 1-0 (1) while Harris drops to 1-1 (1).

Philadelphia's Omar Pittman improved to 11-3 (7) with a second round stoppage of

Victor Paz, who fell to 9-3 (1).

Send comments or questions to Alex Pierpaoli at: alex@kofantasyboxing.com