COUNTDOWN TO PAVLIK-TAYLOR II

Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank

HBO Sports is presenting a thirty-minute special analyzing the upcoming HBO Pay-Per-View showdown between two of boxing's most compelling competitors: Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor. Their eagerly anticipated rematch is set for Saturday, Feb. 16 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The special "COUNTDOWN TO PAVLIK-TAYLOR II, " which will feature fighter profiles, expert analysis and forecasts for the 166-pound showdown, will premiere on the main service on Saturday, Feb. 9 immediately after the HBO BOXING AFTER DARK telecast, which airs at 9:45 PM ET/ PT.

Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs), a native of Youngstown, Ohio, scored a thrilling upset victory in their first encounter on Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, registering a seventh-round KO triumph. Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs ) has been a powerhouse in the middleweight division since winning the world title from Bernard Hopkins in 2005 and looks to erase the only blemish on his accomplished career.

The countdown special will also be available to HBO ON DEMAND subscribers 24 hours a day from Monday, February 11 through Monday, February 18.