Kelly Pavlik (right) beat Taylor for the second time on Saturday

WBC and WBO champion Pavlik defeated the former title holder 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 in Las Vegas.

The bout was a rematch of September's WBO and WBC title fight, won by Pavlik.

Pavlik could now face WBU champion Gary Lockett in a mandatory defence of the WBO title, if the Welshman wins his next fight on 22 March in Cardiff.

Undisputed super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has also been mentioned as an opponent for Pavlik, later in the year.

I expected a tough fight and I sure got it Jermain Taylor

The fight against Taylor was contested at a catch weight - an improvised weight between middleweight and super-middleweight - of 166lbs (75.2kg), but Pavlik now intends to return to the middleweight limit to defend his world championship belts.

"Nothing will top the first victory over Jermain Taylor but it was a great win," said Pavlik.

"It took me seven years to win the title. I plan to keep it for a while."

Taylor was happy with his performance despite seeing his record drop to 27-2-1.

"I knew it was a close fight but I guess he won the last couple of rounds," said Taylor.