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Trash talk absent during Thursday's face-to-face
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Pavlik v. Rubio public press conference
WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and WBC No. 1 challenger Marco Antonio Rubio held a press conference today with their camps in preparation for Saturday's fight at the Chevrolet Centre.
- In more Pavlik coverage ...
- STORY: Behind the scenes, arena crews report few snafus
- EDITORIAL: Pavlik fight delivers a punch that’s good for the area
- VIDEO: Pavlik Talks about Rubio
- STORY: Youngstown venue impresses out-of-town media
- VIDEO: Kelly Pavlik wins!
- STORY: Fans of Kelly Pavlik arrived early and were ready to celebrate a win
- STORY: John D'Altorio: With these next words, one person is already upset with this story.
- STORY: Kelly beats Rubio into submission
- PHOTOGALLERY: Kelly Pavlik Fight Night
- PHOTOGALLERY: Fight night at local bars
- VIDEO: Pavlik motorcade pre-fight
- STORY: Downtown swells with Pavlik fans
- STORY: Boom Boom is in the house!
- STORY: Experts’ opinions: Kelly Pavlik flawed, but has bright future
- STORY: Pavlik wants to silence critics with dominant performance tonight
- VIDEO: Pavlik and Rubio weigh in
- VIDEO: Pavlik Fans Predict
- STORY: Fans weigh in at weigh-in
- STORY: Pavlik, Rubio make weight
- STORY: Pavlik vs. Cox?
- PHOTOGALLERY: Pavlik Rubio weigh in
- STORY: Pavlik battled his way to top
- STORY: “Kelly Pavlik — this is your life.”
- PHOTOGALLERY: Kelly Pavlik Press Conference
- VIDEO: Team Pavlik talks
- VIDEO: Kelly Pavlik works out
- STORY: International fight audience will hear 3 Valley singers
- STORY: Team Pavlik keeps eyes on the prize
- VIDEO: National anthem contest
- STORY: Pavlik inspires next generation
- PHOTOGALLERY: Kelly Pavlik training
By JOE SCALZO
Vindicator sports staff
Kelly Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew, was looking for a sombrero and a verbal sparring match on Thursday.
He didn’t find either.
Loew made headlines this week by tabbing Marco Antonio Rubio’s three handlers “The Three Amigos” and admitted he was hoping to wear a sombrero to the pre-fight press conference. (He hasn’t ruled out wearing one this weekend.)
“If you find one,” he said, “I’ll put it on.”
Loew and Rubio’s handlers have bantered through the media over the past few days, but everyone was on their best behavior Thursday in front of a crowd of reporters and about 100 fans at the Chevrolet Centre.
“They wouldn’t give me a shot at them,” Loew said. “Just like [fighters] have a game plan when they come into the ring and it changes once they see Kelly’s power, now that they see us face-to-face, they’re very cordial.
“That’s fine. I wish them the best of luck, but it’s not gonna be their night Saturday night.”
Rubio earlier predicted a knockout victory and vowed to return to Mexico with Pavlik’s belts. His cornerman, Ramon Rodriguez, said Loew shouldn’t quit his day job and that Pavlik will need Rubio to use his nursing background to tend to Pavlik afterward.
There was none of that on Thursday.
“Kelly is a gentlemen at all times, as am I,” Rubio said. “I think the team sometimes gets overanxious.”
Pavlik has grown accustomed to trash talk before a bout, although Rubio had been relatively quiet until this week. Rubio even took a picture of Pavlik on his cell phone at last month’s press conference in New York.
But, like Edison Miranda, Jermain Taylor and Gary Lockett before him, Rubio eventually started making bold predictions. Those three fighters got knocked out by Pavlik, while the one fighter who didn’t talk trash, Bernard Hopkins, was the only one to win.
“It’s all head games,” Pavlik said. “It doesn’t mean anything. If you have to run your mouth and get into somebody’s head and that’s your way of getting any edge on somebody, that’s not a very good strategy.
“Once the bell rings, it doesn’t mean anything. When I’m in the ring, I’m not thinking about what they said about Jack sealing driveways or Rubio saying he’s taking my belts. I’m thinking about how hard I’m going to hit him, how I’m going to counter his punch and how I’m going to hit him in the body so he can’t breathe.”
Although Pavlik will sometimes participate in the talk — and Loew usually enjoys it — neither initiates the sparring.
“I don’t know why everyone throws the first jab at us,” said Pavlik.
When asked if that could change, Pavlik grinned.
“The next fight, I’m definitely gonna do it,” he quipped. “I’m going to start running my mouth before they even announce the fight.
“I’m talking about everybody. I don’t care who they are — from middleweight to heavyweight, they’re getting it.”
Pavlik did predict a victory — he only said it would be convincing, while Loew predicted a knockout victory — and said the fans will see a show on Saturday.
“The only way he’ll be able to take my belts is if he steals them, shoots me in the leg and hits me with an ax in the neck,” Pavlik said. “Stay tuned, it’s going to be a dandy Saturday night.
“I’m bringing hell.”
scalzo@vindy.com
Comments
I am, admittedly,not a boxing fan so please excuse me for asking, Is this fight the only thing going on in this universe? Kelly Pavlik seems like a fine young man who is a good representative of this area. I mean him no dissrespect. The Vindy, however, has dedicated the entire mewspape to this fight in which the opponent is almost assuredly a tomato can. Isn't anything else worth reporting?
And what would you like them to write about....The crime?? The unemployment?? The housing issues?? I mean seriously. There are a lot of things that I could care less to read about or hear about but if it is adding excitement or stimulating our valley in just the least little bit, then go for it. It will pass in a couple of weeks and we will be back to hearing about all the darkness again. Go Kelly!!!
Do you know how much Pavlik probably had to fight to get this title fight in Ytown? And you know what, in this era the promoters have alot more control than during Boom-Boom's era. They had to charge those prices b/c those are the prices they could have gotten in Atlantic City (actually, they are pricier in AC). Enjoy your weekend, Ytown!
Hey Robert:
You are not suggesting that you overlooked all of these other stories, are you?
•Niles schools schedule public meeting on building project Local & Regional News Watch
•Pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges Local & Regional News
•Juvenile Judge Dellick orders 5% pay cuts Local & Regional News
•YSU favors site for $10M sports facility Local & Regional News
•‘Millionaire’ player reveals final answer Local & Regional News
•2 charged after chase
•The county health board has lost 11 staff members since late 2007, six by layoff, and five by Local & Regional News
•Mental health officials eager for stimulus aid Local & Regional News
•Rep. Gerberry seeks clarity in sheriff requirement law
•Niles schools treasurer warns of possible levy
•How long will Dow keep its weakest stocks?
•Dow finish is lowest in 6 years Business & Technology
•Ex-firefighter sentenced to counseling for anger Local & Regional News
•Woman faces more charges in sex case Local & Regional News 43. •Volunteer agency changes name Local & Regional News
•Number receiving jobless benefits nears 5M
•Unemployed hit with bank fees on benefits Business & Technology
•Woman to be arraigned on assault charges
•Bellamy challenges Williams for mayor Local & Regional News
•Mahoning Co. denies Canfield annexation Local & Regional News
•Ohio food giveaway aids families of jobless workers Business & Technology
•Couple found in Missouri Local & Regional News
•Canfield man indicted in body dragging Local & Regional News
That was a partial list...
Hey: The Pavlik fight is a big story with broad news, sports and economic impact, but we understand that not everyone is a fan. The headline count (stories, briefs, letters, et al) of Non-Pavlik vs. Pavlik stories is roughly 86-12 today (plus a special section, yes). So, it is fair to say that you think there is too much Pavlik coverage and we respect your opinion. It is another matter altogether to allege that The Vindicator has "dedicated the entire [newspaper] to this fight" which, as you can see, is pretty easy to disprove.
This, from someone who once accused Bertram of "grandstanding." :)
Next week, the national media will be focused elsewhere and we'll be back to more grim things, I am sure. Maybe we should just enjoy this ride while it lasts...
Thanks for the feedback,
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
As a proud ohio resident I am glad that there is something great to read about. This kid has climbed his way to the top by hard work and has never forgotten who he is or where he came from. He shows respect.Kelly is y-towns golden son.He makes all of us proud