The countdown begins

By Joe Scalzo (Contact)

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Published February 16, 2008

We’re less than 12 hours from the fight and we’ll start off by talking about Kelly Pavlik’s next one. As several news outlets have reported, Pavlik could face former three-division champion Felix Trinidad on June 7 at Madison Square Garden. Top Rank president Bob Arum has already talked with Trinidad’s promoter, Don King. Pavlik had been scheduled to fight John Duddy on that date, but Trinidad could change those plans. If this happens, this will be the second time the Duddy camp has been spurned. You might remember that Pavlik was originally going to fight Duddy in Atlantic City on Jan. 26, a plan that was nixed when Jermain Taylor triggered his rematch clause. For more details, check out Dan Rafael’s boxing story on ESPN.com.

From the “I can’t believe anyone’s willing to pay this” department comes the news that the MGM Grand fitness center costs $35 -- per workout. That’s what I’d consider a good monthly rate at the YMCA. Pavlik-Taylor II tickets range from $100 to $600 -- and the $600 seats are almost sold out.

As I’ve said before, I’m constantly amazed at what people would rather have than money. Like Barry Manilow tickets, which are on sale now in Vegas. Or Bee Gees tickets. Or Barbara Streisand tickets. Or any other horrible 70s act that Vindicator city hall reporter David Skolnick might enjoy.

Skolnick, incidentally, has a poster of Neil Diamond on his cubicle wall. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Good story from earlier in the week. Apparently, someone hit for $2.2 million while playing the 25-cent “Wheel of Fortune” slots. If I won that much, I’d splurge on a couple fitness center passes.