Trainer Jack Loew tells The Associated Press that Pavlik (35-1,31 KOs) signed the contract Monday for a Dec. 19 bout at the Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University in Pavlik's hometown.

Pavlik has been battling complications from a hand injury and twice had to back out of fighting Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs), who's now facing Sergio Martinez on Dec. 5. Loew says therapy on Pavlik's hand has been going well.

The trainer calls Espino (20-2-1, 9 KOs) "dangerous" and says the fight is no "tuneup bout" for Pavlik. But Loew says his fighter would like to take on Williams next, if Williams gets by Martinez.

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