Posts Tagged ‘Jack Loew’

Kelly Pavlik held a press conference at Jack Loew’s Southside Boxing Club on Tuesday afternoon.  I attended the press conference with hopes of hearing that an opponent had been signed to fight on the Pacquiao vs Mosley undercard on May 7 in Las Vegas.  The plans were discussed and nothing has been finalized as of yet, although an announcement should be coming within a month.  The main topic of discussion was Pavlik completing a 60-day stint at the Ranch Recovery Center.

“I felt like I had to go and there would be consequences either way.  I’m not knocking it, the system works for a lot of people, but most of the people there were forced to go from prisons.  I don’t believe I ever really had a problem.  Most of the rumors start when a guy in a bar sees me having a drink and it turns into a big deal.  What was he doing in there?  What gives anyone the right to be in a bar, but not me?   Was he drinking green tea and acting like an angel?  I know it is not so much what I did, as much as who I am at that point”, said Pavlik in response to an array of questions pertaining to his rehabilitation stint.

“It was a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation for me.  If I get up and leave Youngstown, then I am turning my back on the city I have defended.  If I stay here, I’m going to do what I do and have to suffer through the rumors.  At first it was rough, and I was angry, but I manned up and dealt with it”, said the former champion.  “I haven’t had a drink in three and a half months, but I would be a liar if I were to sit here and make promises that I will never have a drink again because I don’t know that for sure.”

If there is an underlying story in the dramatic world that is Kelly Pavlik, it would have to be the unconditional support of Bob Arum and everyone at Top Rank Promotions. Pavlik could have been chided by the management monsters, but Arum stuck by his fighter and will surely have him on the fast track back into the limelight where he belongs.  Jack Loew has also been criticized in the past.  Loew has been respectful every time I have talked to him, has never ducked a question, and most importantly, will be in Pavlik’s corner because he helped construct a champion.

Pavlik talked about what he had been and concentrated on where he wants to go.  “I had a lot of time to think and really welcomed more spirituality into my life.  I had time to clear my head and get my thoughts straight.  I want to get back into the ring and I feel refreshed from my time away.  I will be fighting at 168 and have been starting to train.  We are trying to get a fight on the May 7, Pacquiao-Mosley undercard against a decent fighter.  I don’t want to beat a tomato can, I want to be tested.  I weigh about 193 right now, but getting down to 168 should not be a problem. “

Pavlik says he is going to start training in mid-March for a fight he expects to have on May 7.  “I am running, lifting, and training and I feel good, I feel hungry and I feel ready to get back in the ring.  I will start full training and sparring eight weeks out, but will take the fight with six to seven weeks advanced notice.  I want to be a world champion again.“

The obvious tingle to compete was in his eyes, a good sign for Pavlik fans everywhere.

Thank You to John D’Altorio and everyone at Team Pavlik for access and use of the above photos!

I consider myself fortunate to have met some good people both in Youngstown, and nationally.  I couldn’t get a hold of quite a few of them, but was very happy to reach the ones that I did.  The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers tee it up tomorrow in Super Bowl XLV.  Here are predictions from a few folks with some star power on how the game will end.

Will Murray – Howard Stern Show Segment Producer

“I think Green Bay is going to win a very high-scoring game.  I will say the Packers beat the Steelers, 31-24.  That might be a little low on the score, but I do like the over and the Packers and expect a bunch of points.”

Joe Scalzo – Youngstown Vindicator Sports Reporter

“Green Bay Packers 823 kajillion, Pittsburgh Steelers 0.  I wanted to predict that the Steelers would end up with negative points, but I don’t want anyone to think I am biased.”

Donald Jones – Buffalo Bills and Former YSU Receiver

Donald Jones is attending the game in Texas after a stellar rookie season with the Buffalo Bills, where he started the last eight games and expects to play a bigger role in the offense next season.  “I think Green Bay is going to win.  It should be a good game and it is really great being a part of this atmosphere.  It’s a different world, just crazy down here.  I’ll say the final score will be Green Bay 28, Pittsburgh 21.

Larry Snyder – Voice of The Phantoms

I think the Steelers will beat the Packers, 24-21. The Packers will make it close in the second half, but ultimately, the clock will be their enemy as Pittsburgh holds them off to get the close win.

Curt Carr – Head Coach of The Youngstown Phantoms

“Everybody wrote the Packers off when Aaron Rodgers got hurt.  I think he will lead his Green Bay Packer team to a 24-21 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a close game.  It’s a really tough prediction, but they are the hot team.”

Trevor Parks – YSU Sports Information Director

“Packers 27, Steeelers 21.  Charles Woodson will be named the MVP at the end of the game for the Pack.”

Jack Loew– Southside Boxing, Trainer of Kelly Pavlik

“My wife likes Pittsburgh, so I will say that Green Bay wins 24-17.”

Anthony Paneech – Owner / Editor of Paneech.com

Pittsburgh has a great defense, but the Packers have a great linebacker.  Clay Matthews is the best linebacker in the league right now.  I know Steelers fans will haggle that Troy Polamalu was the NFL Defensive Player of The Year, but linebackers have bigger impacts on the majority of the plays from scrimmage.  Having kicked the outcome around for a few days, the prediction here is Green Bay 30, Pittsburgh 20. Clay Matthews will have at least two sacks.

Jack Loew has confirmed that Kelly Pavlik is tentatively scheduled to hit the ring on May 7.  Pavlik (36-2, 32 KO) has been inactive since his loss to Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City last April.  Although nothing has been confirmed and no specific opponent has been named, Bob Arum and Top Rank have said they would like to see Pavlik on the undercard of the “Sugar” Shane Mosley – Manny Pacquiao fight to be held in Las Vegas on the night of May 7.

Pavlik has confronted his demons and entered himself into the Betty Ford Clinic for alcohol rehab.  This all happened right before he was set to fight on the undercard of the last Pacquiao fight against Bryan Vera.  He is still a very highly-ranked contender in the middleweight division and poses a threat to anybody else listed with a similar status.

“We don’t know who Kelly will be fighting yet, but the May 7th date is pretty well locked in.  We know that the fight will take place in Las Vegas and will be on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao – Shane Mosley undercard.”, said Loew.

One of Youngstown’s favorite sons, Pavlik cannot be overlooked by anyone who steps into the ring with him.  Pavlik seems to have it together and can make a splash back in if he can dedicate himself to the sport he ruled again.  He will probably fight a couple of tune-ups before challenging anyone else in contention for the WBC Championship vacated by Martinez.

Loew has been busy training Dan Williams (15-1) who will challenge Harrison Cueto on February 19.  Williams is also getting a crack at the WBC Intercontinental Championship in his hometown of St. Louis on April 14.

Kelly Pavlik has suffered another setback in his attempted return to greatness.  Trainer Jack Loew announced last Monday that Pavlik would not compete against Bryan Vera on the Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margerito undercard in Dallas next weekend.  The reason Loew gave for Pavlik backing out was torn rib cartilage.

“With torn rib cartilage, Kelly would not be able to throw his punches effectively, and would also suffer more than usual when taking a body shot to the damaged area”, exclaimed Loew to the media.  Loew pulled Pavlik out of a Paul Williams fight when The Ghost injured his hand and was suffering from staph infection. 

Pavlik went into the Bernard Hopkins fight less than 100% after having his elbow drained and suffering from pneumonia the week of the fight.  “The writing was on the wall twice and I chose to ignore it going into the Hopkins fight.  At that point, I vowed never to let Kelly fight less than 100 percent”, declared Loew.

Pavlik reportedly wanted to continue and fight Vera despite the injury.

Vera was upset not only about losing his biggest payday, but also because he loses his chance to be in the limelight.  “I thought he [Pavlik] was a world-class fighter.  Right now, it doesn’t seem like he ‘s acting like one to be pulling himself out this late.  If he was really hurt they would have said something right away.  I think maybe he is having trouble making the weight again or something.  If he was a man of his word, he would get ready and fight, no matter what.”

The bad news Mr. Vera is that Kelly Pavlik could probably beat your ass with one hand and two broken ribs.  You were a tune-up fight, a stepping stone to bigger things for the former champion, so don’t act like you were deprived of a golden opportunity.

With that being said, Pavlik will resume training once the cartilage heals and Bob Arum, Cameron Dunkin, Jack Loew, and Mike Pavlik decide what the next challenge is.  There is a chance that Pavlik can still fight Vera at a later date by contract lingo of Top Rank.  The contract states that there is a 30-day option to reschedule the fight within 90 days of it’s originally booked date.

Making weight has taken precedence over preparing for the actual fights.  Kelly Pavlik has declared that he will move up in weight to compete at the 168-pound division. 

After meeting with Jack Loew, his father Mike Pavlik Sr. and Cameron Dunkin, Pavlik has decided to bypass the rematch and ascend in weight for his fighting future.

Pavlik lost a unanimous decision to Sergio Martinez on April 17 in Atlantic City.  With the loss, there came a rematch clause for Pavlik to accept or decline.  The concern leading up to the fight was making the weight.  Pavlik has reportedly checked in at around 192 in recent days, right around where he was before starting formal camp for the Martinez fight.  Surely, making weight is getting harder at 160.  The methods Jack Loew uses to train Pavlik would have to be uprooted and turned to three or four daily workouts of about two hours each.

The move to 168 will be loaded with opportunity, but many of the stars at that weight class are locked into Showtime’s two-year tournament.  Lucian Bute, who defeated Edison Miranda on the same HBO telecast as Pavlik would be available if desired. 

The move to a higher weight will help Pavlik train the way he has become most comfortable – by getting stronger.  Flipping monster truck tires and swinging a sledgehammer are working into the mainstream and Pavlik benefits with the unique approach.  He will be one of the strongest fighters in a loaded division. 

Arthur Abraham, are you around now?

Things did not go as planned in Atlantic City for Team Pavlik.  “The Ghost”  lost his championships and Sergio Martinez danced around the champ all night.  Jack Loew and Pavlik did not make any excuses, they took the loss with dignity.  The conversations in Youngstown are swirling around gaining twenty pounds and fighting heavier and slower despite coming in as strong as ever.  Another public gripe has been the work of Sid Rumbuck, the corner cut man who could not stop blood for very long in any round.

Negativity stated, I refuse to jump ship.  I have great respect for Kelly Pavlik and below are the five biggest reasons why I will keep rooting for him.

1. Loyalty.   Too many times when a person becomes famous, they have a tendency to forget where they came from.  Pavlik has always represented Youngstown and has vehemently stated he does not want to go anywhere else and that he is happy here.  “Defend Youngstown” instilled a sense of pride into a beaten community.  Saying it was one thing, but living it was an elevated statement.  To live in the greater Youngstown area, I admire Pavlik for staying home and representing this area with such passion. 
2. Pride.  Martinez won the fight, but this war is far from over.  When Pavlik said he doesn’t like to lose and he will get his belts back, he hinted where his heart is.  If he opts to move up to 168, he better drop the sledgehammer and trade those monster truck tires in for a jumprope.  Pavlik can dominate at 160 as long as he can keep making the weight.  The decision that Team Pavlik is weighing is a tough one.  I think the pride factor will kick in and Pavlik will exercise the rematch clause he has with Martinez.
3. Heart.  Roberto Duran screamed “No Mas” and wasn’t really even cut.  Pavlik took all Martinez had for the last four rounds and still didn’t get knocked out.  He didn’t quit either.  All too often in sports, an athlete is called a warrior.  Seldom does the title accurately describe the effort, even in a loss, that a participant displays.  For Pavlik to fight with limited vision and just catch punches throws him into warrior status for not quitting.
4. Jack Loew.  Loew has been paramount to the success of Kelly Pavlik.  Nationally, people sputter and shoot their mouths off about how much better Pavlik would be without Loew.  Loew is the most underappreciated person in boxing.  He knows the game and knows what his fighters are capable of.  He is quick with a quote, fast to defend what he believes to be the truth, and understands what needs to be done to win.
5. Champion.  Ray Mancini, Harry Arroyo, Greg Richardson, Ken Sigurani, Roland Cummings, etc.  None of them, including Boom Boom, held a title as long as Pavlik did.  In my eyes, that would make him the best.  Being a champion means you dictate what happens in your career.  Pavlik plays golf and darts with his friends, but he also spends so much time and effort on charity work.  Almost every major fundraiser in the area was not a draw unless Pavlik would show.  Using that sort of leverage in positive ways makes him a special champion. 

If you were a Pavlik fan but decided not to be anymore because he lost, you were never really a fan.  If you are still a Pavlik fan, embrace the future with a sense of optimism.  With the recent  loss, I would make him the marshall of any parade in Mahoning County for what he has achieved, but more importantly, what is still left to achieve.

Kelly Pavlik trained hard, came into camp in great shape, and had more muscle mass than he ever had before.  Making weight was an issue because of the size.  Adding weight, Pavlik may have made himself slower as Sergio Martinez scored a unanimous 12-round decision.

Pavlik showed heart by finishing the fight, but the night belonged to Martinez who raised his record to 45-2-2 and became the new champion in thunderous fashion.

After the fight, Pavlik said, “He caught me with a nice left hand and he cut me pretty good.  I wasn’t shocked by how aggressive he finished the fight.  It was hard to make the weight, but I hate losing, we will definitely go back to work and get ready for a rematch.  He was a smart fighter and doubled up with the jab alot.”

The first round was pretty uneventful as most traditionally are.  The two fighters spent the majority of the round feeling each other out.  Martinez danced around Pavlik and connected often enough to win the round.

In the second round, Martinez widened a cut on the side of Pavlik’s left eye that may have originated in round one.  Martinez then went into cocky mode as he dropped his hands to his side a couple of times before retaking a boxer’s stance.    Martinez wins the round however, to take a 2-0 lead in rounds.

In round three, Pavlik landed a couple of good shots and the round could be scored either way.  Martinez was doing a good job controlling the action to this point in the fight, but Pavlik was getting closer to landing shots of his own.

Round four was another round for Martinez, who was smiling as he was landing each punch.  Pavlik was slower than Martinez, and had yet to deliver a trademark Pavlik power punch.

In round five, Martinez continued circling Pavlik but the champ started landing.  Pavlik landed his best punches of the fight and staggered Martinez about two minutes in.  The momentum felt like it was starting to shift toward the champion.

Round six saw more of the Martinez cockiness disappear,as he was much less glitzy than the first four rounds.  Another round for Pavlik who was obviously starting to slow down Martinez and was landing shots much more frequently.

In round seven, Martinez hit the canvas in what Martinez argued may have been a slip, but the ref delivered a standing eight count and Pavlik had his most dominant round of the fight picking up a 10-8 session. Martinez continued to slow and Pavlik continued to pick up steam.

The fight seemed even heading into the eighth round.  Pavlik and Martinez were close on the cards.  Martinez was working harder but Pavlik seemed like he was picking up a pattern and connecting more frequently than the earlier rounds.  The judges would have a tough one to score in the round.  At the end of eight, I had the fight scored evenly.

This is where the fight took a turn.  Jack Loew’s prediction earlier in the week had him looking like a genius to this point.  Loew had stated that it would take Pavlik a few rounds to get the rhythm of Martinez timed up and that by round five, Pavlik would connect.  What Loew didn’t expect was for Martinez to open cuts on Pavlik’s face making it hard for the champ to see.

In round nine, Martinez bloodied Pavlik pretty badly.  The cut from earlier in the fight on the champ’s left side and a new cut, much bigger on the right side had Pavlik’s face a pool of blood by round’s end.  Big round for Martinez, arguably a 10-8.

Round ten was a big round for Martinez.  Landing huge shots, the doctors checked Pavlik at the end of the round to see how severe the cuts were and decided the fight could go on.

The last two rounds were target practice for Martinez.  Pavlik was fighting hurt or lacking vision for a good part of the end of both rounds.  At the end of the tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds, the blood was streaming down both sides of Pavlik’s face.

Give credit where credit is due, Martinez showed up big on this night.  Unfortunately, Martinez is linked to Lou DiBella.  At the post-fight press conference DiBella was like a drunken pirate who just found the treasure chest on a map he found in a trashcan somewhere.  He gloated, took a few verbal shots at Loew who did well restraining himself, and just carried on and on and on.  Bob Arum even looked disgusted while DiBella rambled.  The one thing DiBella said that was respectable was that the decision of a rematch was totally in the hands of Team Pavlik.  “If Kelly decides to move up to 168, we would consider a fight at 154 against [Antonio] Margarito.  It is in the hands of Top Rank.  Pavlik was gracious enough to give us a chance, and we would do the proper thing by honoring his rematch clause.”

On the potential rematch, Loew remarked that, “I don’t have an answer yet, obviously.  Cameron Dunkin, Mike Pavlik, Bob Arum, Kelly, and myself will sit down over the next couple of weeks to make a decision.”

Pavlik’s cutman, Sid Rumbach said Pavlik would need a dozen stitches inside and at least two dozen stitches outside to close the cuts suffered during the fight and Pavlik went to the hospital immediately after leaving the ring, thus missing the press conference.

Chris Hazimihalis knows about being fortunate enough to fight on big boxing cards.  In just his second fight, Hazimihalis again was on a Kelly Pavlik Top Rank undercard with a big audience.  The foe challenging Hazimihalis was Ramon Ellis from  Philadelphia.

Hazimihalis wasted little time making a first impression knocking Ellis to the canvas in the first round.  The ring nerves that Hazimihalis had a problem with in his first fight were nowhere to be found.  Hazimihalis caught Ellis with a powerful short overhand right that sent Ellis down in the middle of the ring.  Once Ellis rose, Hazimihalis went to work using a strong corner flurry to end the fight in the first round.

The fight was stopped at 1:28 of the first round.  Campbell, Ohio had plenty of representatives in attendance including family and friends of Hazimihalis who ran his record to a perfect 2-0 in impressive fashion.

After the fight, Hazimihalis was happy he put on a good show in front of so many media members and onlookers.  “Jack [Loew] wanted me to come out fast, it is how I trained for this fight.  I wanted to stay relaxed, and I was very relaxed for this fight.”

Hazimihalis went on to add, “I will take them any way I can get them.  I wanted to fight my hardest with this opportunity and show everyone exactly what kind I fighter I am.”

Kelly Pavlik was very recently interviewed about his upcoming fight with Sergio Martinez.  Thanks to Team Pavlik for the above interview.  Pavlik definitely gives Martinez his props and shows alot of respect.  Having spoken with Pavlik this past weekend, I noticed alot of pep in his step and sensed that he just seems to be enjoying what it is he does. 

Jack Loew claims that The Ghost is heading into the nationally televised fight in the best shape he could be in.  Pavlik seems confident and happy, like he is in a good place right now.  Based on his good attitude and the positive feedback I have received from just about everyone I have spoken to on the inside, Pavlik will look sharp.  Expect a good showing.

As stated here in earlier articles, this fight can be a springboard to so many other options if Pavlik looks dominant.  When the fight was signed, everyone rambled on about how bad Kelly would be beaten because he didn’t care about the sport anymore.  The facts are that the medication he had to take for a dangerous staph infection is no longer needed, the hand is 100% for the first time in over a year, and showing up in shape before training camp started would all signify a  hunger to remain the champ. 

I love being the guy on the internet who defends Pavlik, because the “boxing experts” keep picking him to lose, dating back to Pavlik-Taylor I, and have been wrong all but once.  Again, my money is on the champ.

I am heading to Atlantic City to cover the fight and will be doing stories all week long leading up to Saturday night.

To sit there and watch World Middleweight Boxing Champion Kelly Pavlik and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan look over a sheet with defensive schemes and offensive formations was just scary.  Pavlik and Ryan served as honorary coaches for the Red team in Saturday’s Spring Football Game at Stambaugh Stadium.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams (pictured) and State Senator Joe Schiavoni served as the honorary coaches for the White team.  Williams and I shared some good conversation on the elevator.  Amongst the topics were the rust working itself out of his golf game and what a beautiful day we had for the Spring game.

New YSU President Appointee, Dr. Cynthia E. Anderson, was also on the sidelines and having a good time.  I asked her how she could be an honorary coach and not be wearing headphones or instructing players.  Dr. Anderson laughed and replied, “I am much better at cheering and clapping and being happy.  I know nothing, so I am just going to stand here and be happy.  Seriously though, I think this is wonderful.  We have perfect weather and the school spirit is on display here today.  There is going to be alot of excitement here this year and we will have alot of people coming out.”

Former State Senator Harry Meshel was on hand to show his support for the program.  “The crowd is exhillerated.  Wolf brings alot to the coaching situation, you can see it in the ballplayers, even the ones who are a little shorter.  The guy [Wolford] has so much spirit, and we just have to keep making this game bigger every time we do it.”

At one point in the second half when the Red scored a touchdown, someone from Team Pavlik shouted out, “Nice call Kelly!”  Pavlik turned back with a keen smirk nodding his head saying, “Yeah, it was nice, wasn’t it.” 

A couple of moments later the chants of ‘Kelly-Kelly-Kelly’ started in the lower bleachers to which Pavlik turned, smiled, and tipped his cap to the fans.  The only other chant even close was a ‘Wolford-Wolford-Wolford’ chant that went up in the first half.