Ann Wolfe, pictured above training James Kirkland, is now assuming the job of head trainer of Grady Brewer.
Before James Kirkland got himself embroiled in a mess that will likely see him spend another stretch behind bars, his trainer Ann Wolfe was on the verge of taking another turn in the spotlight – this time as a trainer.
Wolfe was recently featured with a segment on the HBO series “Real Sports with Bryant Gumble” and she was getting a lot of credit for her work in ushering Kirkland to the verge of a world title shot and an undefeated record of 25-0, 22 knockouts. It seemed as though when Wolfe's most famous client went away, her career as a trainer was at risk of going along with it.
However, now comes word that Wolfe will be assuming the training of former “The Contender” reality show season two winner Grady Brewer. The 38 year-old Brewer, from Lawton, Oklahoma is fighting on Aug. 22 at the Pala Casino Spa and Resort in Pala, California against Russian born Zaurbek Baysangurov for the lowly regarded IBO Jr. middleweight belt.
Brewer (25-11, 14KOs) is hoping to make one final run at a title shot in a decade long career that has seen him come up short against the likes of Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor. Brewer is not rated in the top 10 by any sanctioning body but he is hoping that Wolfe may be able to teach him some new tricks.
All does not seem to be well in the relationship between world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and his promoter Top Rank. Youngstown's favorite son has been with Bob Arum since he turned pro, but cracks are beginning to form in their once solid foundation.
Mike Pavlik, father of the world middleweight champion, is unhappy with promoter Bob Arum for suddenly calling a halt to his son's June 27th bout.
Pavlik was supposed to fight Sergio Mora in Atlantic City on June 27, but a couple weeks ago (with little notice) Arum canceled the bout. He said Pavlik was suffering from a staph infection that caused him to have to call the fight off. However, a few days after the fight was called off, Pavlik indicated his hand was fine and that it was basically a non-issue.
Pavlik's manager, Cameron Dunkin, told the Warren, Ohio Tribune Chronicle that he was in the dark about Top Rank's sudden plans to shelve Pavlik.
“I have no idea,” Duncan told the Tribune. “The fight is off.”
Kelly's father and co-manager, Mike Pavlik, was a little more open about his feelings and claims all is not well.
“We are very disappointed,” said Pavlik. “We were looking forward to fighting Mora and the rug was pulled out from under us.”
Mr. Pavlik claims the staph infection was not the reason the fight was canceled. “We have no idea whey they decided to call the fight,” he said. “I've got no idea what they're thinking right now or why they're doing this. We're trying to work it out. We've been with Top Rank for a long time and we've always done what they've asked of us. I'm very disappointed and I'm somewhat upset with Top Rank.”
Nothing definite is on the horizon for Pavlik which is strange since he is regarded as the best middleweight in the world and is a young champion at age 27 that is willing to fight several times a year.
May 2009
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