Pavlik vows to take no chances against Lockett

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Kelly Pavlik said he would take no chances in his maiden world middleweight title defence against Briton Gary Lockett in Atlantic City in June.

"I know he's a tough kid, he can fight," the 25-year-old Pavlik told Reuters on Thursday.

The aggressive Lockett has a 30-1 win-loss record with 21 stoppages.

"He comes forward and has decent hand speed," added the champion. "He's hungry and is coming to take the title. We're taking no chances."

Welshman Lockett has had to wait a long time for his world championship challenge.

"This is a massive opportunity for me," the 31-year-old told reporters. "I know you've never heard of me and I may be a darkhorse but I'm a knockout artist.

"This is a fight between two big punchers that will not go the distance.

"Kelly is a throwback fighter. He stands in front of you. We aren't going to have to look for each other in the ring."