BOXING

• Pavlik keeps title with stoppage of Espino

  
  

  Youngstown, OH (Sports Network) - Kelly Pavlik successfully defended his WBC and WBO middleweight titles with a fifth-round stoppage of Miguel Espino Saturday night.

  The bout, staged in Pavlik's (36-1, 32 KOs) hometown, was stopped at the 1:44 mark of the round when Espino (20-3-1) was no longer able to continue.

  Pavlik scored a pair of knockdowns in round four and referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the action in the next round.

  This was the third title defense for Pavlik, who was coming off a victory over Marco Antonio Rubio.

  12/20 02:41:40 ET