Philip Anselmo is a rock and roll icon, having sold over 30,000,000 records with Pantera, Super Joint Ritual and currently Down. The Louisianan’s passion is boxing and one of his favorite practitioners of the sweet science is the world’s new Middleweight king Kelly Pavlik, who dethroned Jermain Taylor by sixth round KO in one of the most exciting fights of 2007.

It so happens to be that unbeaten Pavlik is also a big Anselmo and Pantera fan. So here is a unique interview the pair collaborated on recently:

Phil Anselmo: First of all I would have to congratulate you on the destruction of the overrated but always dangerous Edison Miranda and then, coming off the deck in the second round and gathering yourself between rounds enough to come out and dominate the third round and systematically break apart the then champion Jermain Taylor - congratulations. Beautiful execution, etc. etc. So at 160 what else, what other opponents are there left for you to conquer?

Kelly Pavlik: Thank you very much. Well, (IBF Middleweight champ) Arthur Abraham, (WBA champ) Felix Sturm’s out there. So hopefully see if it works out with them leaving their country. See if it might work out. (Note: Abraham and Sturm fight out of Germany.)

Phil Anselmo: How do you think you would fare at 168 and would you be willing to travel to Europe?

Kelly Pavlik: Yeah. If the HBO network is coming over. If HBO is coming over, people in the States can see exactly what’s happening.

Phil Ansemo: How do you see yourself doing in a fight with Mikkel Kessler in Denmark? He’s still - I don’t care what people say - the second best super middleweight in the world (after losing the 2007 unification battle with Joe Calzaghe).

Kelly Pavlik: Kessler’s a bad dude. He’s fast. He can fight. He can punch. He’s right down the middle every time. He fought a fight against Calzaghe who’s just awkward. You know, Calzaghe looks easy but he’s awkward. But I wouldn’t mind any. If I’m going to 168 I’m gonna fight the best up there. Kessler would be a great match-up to have at 168. So would Calzaghe - if he stays down at 168 instead of going up to light heavyweight (175). I’d like to fight Calzaghe too.

Phil Anselmo: And how would you deal with the complicated diverse style of Joe Calzaghe?

Kelly Pavlik: You know, he sits there. Calzaghe leaves himself open a lot though. And he hasn’t fought a big puncher yet, a big enough puncher that can put him on that canvas. Hit him right down the middle on the chin. But at the same time, he’s an awkward fighter. He’ll frustrate the hell out of you.

Phil Anselmo: Can I add a bit of advice? The day that you think that you have fought your best fight you can only go down hill from there, so obviously, never believe that you cannot improve every fight out because you’ve got what it takes. Straight up, you’ve got it.

Kelly Pavlik: Hey thanks man. I haven’t heard anything recently because I’m staying so busy. But I’d like to congratulate you with everything you’ve done and the new band Down. I just went out and bought two of the CDs the other day. And I’ll be listening to them in training camp.

[Interview coordinated by Scoop Malinowski]