Posts Tagged ‘Kelly Pavlik’

Kelly Pavlik is ready to get back on the ride.  He learned the first time through that the ride goes really fast but it is enjoyable and there is nothing like being on top.  The former champion and #1 ranked WBC 168 pound fighter is set to get back into the ring on May 7 on the Shane Mosley vs Manny Pacquiao undercard in Las Vegas.   His opponent for the fight is Alfonso Lopez who is 21-0 and has won eleven fights in the past two years.

For Pavlik, it is a nice break to step back into the limelight on such a hyped card.  The fight card will be available as part of a Showtime Pay-Per-View and is being promoted by Top Rank and the great Bob Arum.

I had a chance to talk with Pavlik recently about some issues that fans want the answers to.

Paneech: Any chance that you and Paul Williams will ever fight?

Pavlik:  I have always wanted Paul Williams. If you go back and check the records, before I fought Bernard Hopkins, I was supposed to fight Paul Williams.  He backed out because he wasn’t happy with the money.  So I end up fighting a guy two weight classes higher than me, a living legend, Bernard Hopkins, as compared to fighting Williams who was coming up in weight.  I have always wanted that fight. The staph infection was proven and I couldn’t have done much more than had the kid come over to my house and hook me up to the IV.  Now, I am not sure if it would be worth it to fight him because everyone will say that Sergio Martinez ruined him.  It’s kind of a no-win situation, but if that is what the fans and the public want to see, a fight can happen at a catch weight.

Paneech: Will you train the same way as you have in the past using the ironman approach or are you going to change things up?

Pavlik: I am still going to use the ironman training, but we are really also going to change things up this time around.  We are still going to do the strength and agility training using ironman technique.  We are also going to try to get a lot more core work.  I want to do more with bends and flexibility, things that are lower impact on the body and easier on the knees like swimming.  My energy level is good and body is healed and I had a nice little break, but it is time to start working on other things.

Paneech: During your press conference you said you were refocused and hungry.  How hungry are you and can you regain your status as the top dog in this sport at a different weight class?

Pavlik: I thought pretty far ahead and I like the Super Middleweight weight class, it is just loaded with great fighters.  It’s a hell of a division and some people are saying that I am stupid for going there, but I don’t know what weight class they expect me to go to.  There are a lot of competitive fights there for me.  I can’t wait to get back into it, I can’t wait to spar and see where I am at.  The WBC has me ranked number one at that weight class and people are complaining that I have never won a legitimate fight at that weight class, so it is unwarranted.  I did fight at that weight class though.  My second fight with Jermaine Taylor was fought at that weight.

Paneech: So how can you measure the competition and know it’s a good move?

Pavlik: Well, Taylor was beating Arthur Abraham and was destroying Carl Froch.  So, if Taylor was competitive at that weight class what does that say about me?  The only way to address that problem and silence the critics is to go in there and just win.  That’s something I am really looking forward to, getting past Alfonso Lopez on May 7, shaking the rust off, and silencing the critics, again.

Mentally,  Pavlik is ready to roll.  Physically, the weight will not be as big of a problem as it was when he was fighting at 160.  Look for The Ghost to splash back into the sport of boxing with renewed vigor, greater focus, and very realistic expectations.  Personally, I think Carl Froch was out of line when he said he could easily defeat Pavlik.  Time will prove me right.

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!

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.

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.

All-in-all, the Kelly Pavlik vs Sergio Martinez undercard had plenty of good stuff.  It was a step forward for many of boxing’s future stars as well as some current fighters.  Kudos to Top Rank and Bob Arum for presenting a very good undercard.

In the opener, Dominic Guinn scored a 7th round TKO over Terrell Nelson.  The fight had a good pace for heavyweights and Guinn landed the big blows when he needed to.  Guinn improved to 33-6-1 while Nelson fell to 8-10 as a pro.

A battle of 142-pound fighters saw Vincent Arroyo hand Jeremy Bryan his first pro defeat in 14 fights.  Arroyo had a mad flurry in the fourth round knocking Bryan down.  The ref could have counted to 40 instead of 10, either way, Arroyo improved to 10-1 with seven KO’s.

Ronald Hearns, son of Thomas “Hitman” Hearns ran his record to 25-1 with an impressive first-round TKO over Delray Raines.

Chris Hazimihalis then took out Ramon Ellis to extend his unbeaten streak to 2-0.  After his debut in December, when he admittedly came out nervous before unwinding, Hazimihalis came out full steam ahead in picking up the impressive win.

Undefeated Chris Jones (21-0) looked impressive in carving up Hector Munoz (18-3-1) in five rounds.  Jones claimed the NABA Welterweight Title with the win in front of a very partial Philadelphia-based crowd.  Jones tagged Munoz frequently and when he wanted to in posting the impressive TKO victory.

In a battle of 160-pounders, Josh Snyder challenged Matt Korobov of Russia.  Snyder gave Korobov everything he had and both fighters landed several big shots in a very entertaining contest.  In the end, the judges awarded a unanimous decision to Korobov who ran his perfect record to 11-0.

The last fight before the main event featured another local favorite in Glen Tapia as he faced James “Shotgun” Winchester in a 152-pound battle.  Tapia bloodied Winchester with some big shots in the second round.  Winchester wasted more energy taunting than fighting at various stages of the contest.  All three judges scored the four-round fight 40-35 in favor of Tapia who jumped to 6-0 with the win.

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.

In December, another professional boxer from the Mahoning Valley with promise debuted.  Chris Hazimihalis couldn’t ask for more that night.  He was launching his pro boxing career on the undercard of a pay-per-view fight, his family and friends could all come to root him on, and the partisan crowd would surely give him the additional adrenaline he would need to reign victorius.

Hazimihalis got by Norman Allen with a third-round TKO.  It took him a couple of rounds to work the nerves out, but once the stagefright disappeared, Christo Hazimihalis was able to methodically pick apart his opponent, showing the promise and instincts needed to succeed in this profession.

On April 17th, Hazimihalis gets back into the ring to continue his climb.  This time he will be facing Philadelphia’s Ramon Allen.  Jack Loew, who is training Hazimihalis, has studied the tapes on Allen.  “He is very durable and will push Chris to go more rounds and we want that.”

Loew also complimented Hazimihalis on his preparation.  “Chris is a workoholic, he has a very good training regimen, is gifted with natural ability, and puts his time in at the gym.”

Hazimihalis, who greeted me and wanted to squeeze in one more lap before the brief interview,  also credited other sports in developing aspects of his boxing strengths.  “I played alot of soccer which helped me out with my footwork in the ring.” 

Hazimihalis respects what he saw of his next opponent on film.  “He [Ellis] has a good chin and can take a punch.  He is always coming forward and seems to be in really good shape.  I need to make sure I throw some good combinations.”

With Easter ending the fasting period, Hazimihalis is back to his regular diet.  “I was away from my normal diet while I fasted through Lent.  I ate good Easter Sunday and have resumed my normal diet, so the weight is coming off pretty good.”

Two Pavlik fights in a row, Hazimihalis has been on the undercard.  “I have been trying to get a fight for the past few months.  We had something scheduled for February 19th, but it fell through.  Then on March 19th, I was supposed to get another fight and the show got cancelled.  I guess I am just lucky that Jack [Loew] is my trainer and he also happens to train the middleweight champion of the world.  I’m grateful that I get the opportunity to fight on that kind of show and I need to make the most of my opportunities.”

Before parting ways, Hazimihalis informed me that he was going to run up the First Street Hill in Campbell.  It is a pretty steep incline, and his legs will get a good burn.  “Somebody over there has pit bulls”, said Hazimihalis.  Fearlessly, he and family members went knowing there was still more to do.