Lockett Given Shot at Pavlik Titles in New York

Gary Lockett, the big-punching Welshman, will fight the world's No1 middleweight, Kelly Pavlik, at Madison Square Garden on June 7 for the American's WBC and WBO titles. Lockett, 31, the WBO's No1 challenger, gets his chance after Pavlik's original choice, the Irishman John Duddy, was badly cut in his last contest.

Pavlik, 25, from Youngstown, Ohio, is undefeated in 33 fights, with 29 stoppages, and his last two were wins against Jermain Taylor, from whom he took the title. "It will be the best payday of my career, but I want the title," said Lockett, from Cwmbran, who has lost only one of his 31 pro fights. "Pavlik is a come-forward type of fighter and not too hard to hit."