Kelly Pavlik scraps title bout with Paul Williams

Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik called off a title defense against Paul Williams set for Dec. 5 because of an infected left hand.

Pavlik was to fight Williams at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall in one of the year's most anticipated bouts, but promoter Top Rank announced Wednesday that Pavlik is unable to make a fist or punch with the injured hand.

Top Rank president Todd duBoef said Pavlik's recovery has "not progressed as projected by Dr. Peter Evans at the Cleveland Clinic. Once Pavlik is cleared medically by Dr. Evans, we will pursue all avenues with regards to a future bout."

Pavlik and Williams were supposed to fight in October, but the bout was postponed at the last minute because of the hand injury. The decision came while promoters and sponsors were already traveling to New York for the announcement.

The news conference finally was held two weeks ago at Giants Stadium, where running back Brandon Jacobs gave both fighters personalized Giants jerseys. Pavlik said at the time his hand was feeling better after surgery removed most of the infection. He was beginning to run and planned to start training in earnest this week.

Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) believes the infection could date to last October, when he was pounded by Bernard Hopkins. Pavlik returned to stop contender Marco Antonio Rubio before a hometown crowd in Youngstown, Ohio, in February, but hasn't fought since.

Top Rank blamed the hand injury for the postponement and cancellation of another fight against Sergio Mora for June 27, even though Pavlik publicly claimed he was healthy.

Williams promoter Dan Goossen said he won't wait for Pavlik again and will look for a different opponent. Williams, one of the most feared fighters from welterweight to super middleweight, hasn't fought since a lopsided decision over Winky Wright in April.

"These are the circumstances that you try to avoid and move past, and I'm not going to sit here and denigrate Pavlik or Top Rank," Goossen told The Associated Press. "They all had their chance."

Goossen declined to discuss possible opponents for Williams (37-1, 27 KOs), but HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said the show will go on. It was expected to be a doubleheader with the opening televised bout featuring welterweights Joshua Clottey and Carlos Quintana.

"We are obviously very disappointed that the Paul Williams vs. Kelly Pavlik fight has been canceled," Greenburg said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Dan Goossen has told us he is looking for the best opponent for Paul Williams to fight on Dec. 5."