LAS VEGAS – Jermain Taylor regained a measure of respect against Kelly Pavlik, but not enough to impress the most important people at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last night: the judges.

Despite authoring a solid boxing performance that was good enough to win in many viewers’ eyes, Taylor didn’t get the decision he expected. All three judges scored the 12-round bout for Pavlik: 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112. The Post scored the fight 115-113 for Taylor.

It wasn’t the explosive fight most expected, as neither fighter was down. But Taylor had the faster hand speed, worked the angles and didn’t get hurt. It was the kind of tactical bout that can produce controversial scoring.

“I thought I was doing pretty good,” Taylor said. “I knew it was a close fight. But I guess he won the last couple of rounds. He’s a strong fighter, and I give him a lot of credit.”

The middleweight title that Pavlik (33-0) won in September with a seventh-round knockout over Taylor in Atlantic City was not on the line last night, as the rematch was fought at 166 pounds.

Both weighed in at 164 on Friday, but Pavlik was the bigger guy at almost two inches taller than the 6-foot-1 Taylor (27-2-1).

“Inside pressure was the key,” Pavlik said. “We both did good jobs. My fight strategy was to put pressure on and back him up. My jabs and punches landed more. Nothing will top the first victory over Jermain Taylor, but it was a great win.”

Strength and power have been continuous themes in a Pavlik-Taylor matchup, especially after the first bout, in which Taylor dropped Pavlik in the second round only to have Pavlik recover and stop Taylor in the seventh.

Both predicted the rematch would be just as explosive. But it was more boxing, with Pavlik landing 144 jabs to Taylor’s 102.

Taylor came out firing his jab early, tapping Pavlik enough to keep the Youngstown, Ohio, native off balance. Taylor continued his game plan of staying off the ropes and firing jabs.

A four-punch combination by Taylor in the second round was something missing in the first bout.

Taylor began working the body in the third, landing two hard sweeping hooks to the liver. The first look of frustration could be seen on Pavlik’s face as he struggled to land anything solid.

Blood began to trickle from Taylor’s nose in the fifth round, evidence Pavlik was landing some damaging blows. Otherwise, through six rounds, Taylor’s work was splendid.

Pavlik’s nose began to drain red in the eighth as Taylor continued to land jab and counter- right hands. As the fight entered its later rounds, conditioning became important.

Taylor showed the first sign of real fatigue late in the 11th, finding himself with his back to the ropes for the first time in the fight.

The question became whether he could finish the 12th on his feet. With most in the crowd chant ing: “Kelly, Kelly,” Pavlik came out determined. Taylor tried to stand his ground, flicking his jab. Pavlik kept measuring Taylor, who would clinch whenever Pavlik got too close. Pavlik never got the one big punch he needed, but he got the all-important decision.

“Jermain taking the rematch made the sport better,” Pavlik said. “Taylor was better. I was better. Rounds three to six, he was countering my jabs. Those were Taylor’s best rounds. I tried to hit him in the Body, but he kept moving. Rounds 10 through 12, I was finally hitting the body.”

Pavlik said he’ll go back to 160 pounds and defend his middleweight title next.

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On the undercard:

* Mexico’s Cristian Mijares (34-3-2) retained the WBC super flyweight championship with a split decision over Jose Navarro (26-4) of Los Angeles.

* Fernando Montiel (36-2-1) of Mexico kept his WBO super flyweight title with a fourth-round stoppage of Martin Castillo (33-3) of Mexico.

* Ronald Hearns of Detroit improved to 18-0 with an easy decision over Juan Astorga (11-2-1) of Kansas.

george.willis@nypost.com