Bernard Hopkins to dance with Kelly Pavlik October 18

Can the Executioner slay a Ghost?

That's probably the mindset promoters of this Bernard ''The Executioner'' Hopkins vs Kelly ''The Ghost'' Pavlik extravaganza are in. Hopkins, even at the late stages of his career, is still one of the best in the game right now but when he's matched up against an undefeated Ghost like Pavlik, you have to ask yourself, how in the hell can you execute a freakin' ghost?

And when you're talking about the world middleweight champion Kelly ''The Ghost'' Pavlik, trying to slay THE Ghost is more of an impossibility. After all, he is not the undisputed king of the middleweight division for nothing and after surprising the world by beating then champ, Jermain ''Bad Intentions'' Taylor, Kelly Pavlik has arrived with a bang and by the looks of it, he's here for the long haul.

STILL, if there's one guy who can shock the world, it's Bernard ''The Executioner'' Hopkins. There are not many boxers who can claim they can stay on top of the game at 40. B-Hop has.

Hopkins is 43 for crying out loud people and he can still bitch-slap Manny Pacquiao faster than Pacquiao can eat duck fetus. When Hopkins' mother, Shirley Hopkins, passed away in 2003, she made her son promise that he will retire by the age of 40. Five years later, Hopkins is still mixing it up with the best in the business and since he can still go toe-to-toe with these younger guys, why retire?

Hopkins has already become the most exceptional over-40 fighters ever. Jeez... Not even Rocky Balboa himself can claim that. STILL, he is facing a tough opponent in Kelly Pavlik and since Pavlik already scored two victories over the very guy that took Hopkins out of the middleweight throne he's been sitting on for years, that being Jermain ''Bad Intentions'' Taylor, the guy Hopkins already lost to TWICE, ''a tough opponent'' could very well be an understatement.

Pavlik is obviously younger and stronger than anyone Hopkins has faced recently inside the squared circle. After beating Taylor in convincing fashion, Pavlik has become America's ''great white hope'' if you will. The only advantage Hopkins will be bringing inside the ring with him is his mastery of the game. He has become a crafty veteran after years and years fighting inside the ring. That enabled him to survive the wear and tear of the sport even at 43.

Let's hope he survives his battle with a ghost on October 18.

Can Bernard ''the Executioner'' Hopkins KO Kelly ''the Ghost'' Pavlik? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds. Bet now.

Bernard ''the Executioner'' Hopkins 3.75

Kelly ''the Ghost'' Pavlik 1.29

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for the best boxing betting odds there is available today.

Bernard Hopkins Kelly Pavlik