Fans greet champ at arena

By David Skolnick

A fan from Liberty stood in the rain to cheer for the champ.

YOUNGSTOWN — The freezing rain kept the crowd small — but nevertheless very enthusiastic — to greet Kelly Pavlik as he arrived at the Chevrolet Centre to defend his middleweight boxing crown.

Eight Youngstown police cars, with their sirens going, led the motorcade over the Market Street Bridge. Pavlik was next in a large, white stretch limousine — referred to on police scanners as “Kelly 1” — and was followed by a Youngstown firetruck.

The vehicles crossed under the buckets of two firetrucks parked in front of the center shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday. The buckets created an arch under which the vehicles passed to get into the center parking lot.

Fire Capt. Dan Poklemba, who went to high school with Pavlik’s father, said he was thrilled to be a part of the welcoming ceremony for Pavlik.

“I’d rather not be working tonight, but it’s still good to come out and welcome him here,” he said. “I’d rather be inside, but I’m glad I’m a part of this.”

Most fight fans outside were running through freezing rain to get inside the center when the motorcade arrived.

But after hearing fireworks and the sirens, some stopped to shout, “Kelly!” or “Go Kelly!”

Decie Rebella of Liberty stood in the rain just to cheer for Pavlik and possibly get a look at him.

With the dark windows, no one got to see Pavlik.

But Rebella, who didn’t have a ticket to the fight, didn’t mind.

“I came for the excitement of seeing him come in,” she said. “It was very exciting. This is such a wonderful event, and we love Kelly.”

Pavlik and the motorcade left Boardman, crossed Market Street, drove through a portion of downtown before driving down Walnut Street and into the center’s parking lot.

skolnick@vindy.com