December 25th. Merry Christmas!

Christmas is time to share with family and to put thought and action to helping others. Despite negative headlines, rumors and a staph infection that stalled Kelly Pavlik's career in 2009, He kept going about his activism in the community. Most folks know that when Kelly isn't in training he's at fund raisers and charity events often but what folks don't know is that Pavlik takes time out during training camps to be in close contact with his community of friends and fans. Click here to read a Vindicator story about two such instances during the past 5 weeks while he was preparing for his most recent title defense.

December 20th, 2009. Pavlik Espino Post Fight Press Conference.

December 19th 2009. Pavlik wins by KO. It was a war.

Kelly Pavlik landed big shots on Miguel Espino early in the first round but Espino stood tough and made the most of his first World Title shot by engaging in a 5 round war. Most boxing analysts would have strongly advised against a strategy as such by Espino but all the crowd in attendance looked on in amazement as he absorbed insurmountable punishment in order to land shots of his own. Eventually the toll was too much as Kelly Pavlik began to land pinpoint accurate uppercuts that sent Espino's head popping back and eventually crumbled him to the canvas. Espino got up from several knock downs and in round 5, his corner ended up throwing in the towel when he was helplessly pinned to the ropes on the receiving end of a Pavlik barrage. International news coverage as follows:
Los Angeles Times Pavlik Retains his Middleweight Titles
Taiwan News Espino Licked As Pavlik Keeps Titles
British Broadcasting Corporation Pavlik Stops Espino

December 18, 2009. Pavlik Vs. Espino Weigh-In. Ohio Governor Presides.

Kelly Pavlik came in at 160lbs while Miguel Espino came in at 159lbs. The official weigh-in took place at the Beeghly Center and it was officiated by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Afterwards, Kelly and his camp endulged in a hearty lunch at his new restaurant "Kelly Pavlik's 13th Round" in Campbell on the outskirts of Youngstown. The fight is Tmrw at the Beeghley Center at Youngstown State University. Tickets still available.

December 19th Defense Against Espino Is A GO! Williams December 5th Clash was cancelled, hand needed a little more time.

A stubborn and potentially fatal bout with a staph infection in his hand has been Kelly's toughest opponent to date. It persisted for most of 2009 and climaxed with an allergic reaction to antibiotics that took him close to death. In the process Kelly canceled an October clash with Paul Williams, rescheduled for December 5th and then asked Williams' people for a few more weeks. Williams decided to find another fight for December 5th. Now, Pavlik will defend his titles on December 19th at Youngstown State University's Beeghley Center against Miguel Espino.
Click Here to Buy Tickets

September 29, 2009. Pavlik Vs. Williams Press Conference is on 2nd anniversary of Pavlik's Championship Reign. Fight is set for 12/5/09.

Exactly 2 years as the Universally Recognized Middleweight Champion and what better way to celebrate than to announce the most exciting defense of his title. Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams announced their Middleweight Championship clash at the New York Giants training facility in New Jersey. Their fight will take place on December 5th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Tickets go on Sale September 30th. It will air on regular HBO. Giants Running back, Brandon Jacobs, was on hand and he gave team jerseys to each of the two figthers with their names emblazoned on the back.

See Video From the Press conference
See a fan produced promotional video to hype the fight

September 27, 2009. Welcome to Cleveland Party for Shaquille O'Neal.

Kelly was invited as a guest of honor to welcome the legendary Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland Ohio. On hand were other sports stars and legends including Bernie Kosar, Josh Cribbs, Mo Williams & Anderson Varejao. The Red Carpet event was at the Barley House on West 6th in downtown Cleveland. Kelly was accompanied by his wife Samantha, his father Michael and a few friends.
See Plain Dealer Video Interview on Red Carpet with Kelly
See TV News Report about the Shaq Party
Read NBC Sports Report about the Shaq Party
International news coverage, The China Post -Read More

September 7, 2009. SportsTime Ohio interview to Discuss Staph Infection and Paul Williams.

Bruce Drennan hosted his sports talk television show "All Bets Are Off" from the Canfield Fair in Youngstown Ohio. His first guest was Kelly Pavlik and they discussed an array of topics including Pavlik's staph bacteria infected knuckle that had persisted for over 6 months. They also talked about the next challenger to Pavlik's title, Paul Williams.

August 4, 2009. Pavlik's logo is painted on the nose of an Airforce C-130 Hercules Cargo Plane.

Invited as a guest at the base of the Youngstown 910th Airlift Wing, Pavlik was honored by having his logo painted on the nose of a C-130 Hercules Cargo Plane.
Vindy Photographer Robert Yosay and Vindy writer Jordan Cohen detail the whole event. Click here to read more.

June 29, 2009. Troy Smith Celebrity Golf Outing.

Troy invited Kelly as a celebrity golfer to help raise money for the Cleveland Muny Football League for kids ages 8-15. State Farm was the Title sponsor for an event that brought the biggest names in Ohio and American sports to Signature of Solon Golf Course. More than 50 notable athletes and celebrities were on hand including Bernie Kosar, Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Brady Quinn, Jim Tressel, Chris Chambers and Ed Reed. The event started with a meet and greet dinner on Sunday night. 18 holes of golf on Monday were followed by a banquet. Afterwards, Kelly, Troy and several others met at the Barley House to celebrate a successful event with many great memories to boot. Kelly said, "This is a great event for people to come together and have fun and also to raise money for a worthy cause. When it comes to kids we need to do as much as possible to support them. On August 7 we're having a golf outing in Youngstown at Bedford Trails and I hope that we have even bigger numbers than last year. We're still accepting golfers and sponsors so I welcome everybody. It all benefits the Akron Children's Hospital in the Mahoning Valley. Check Teampavlik.com for more details."

June 25, 2009. Kelly cooks w/his kids on TV. Casey Malone's "Homeplate"

http://metrohomeplate.net/

June 15, 2009. Kelly joins Ohio State Trooper Mike Harmon to remind the citizens of Ohio, "Don't Drink and Drive!"

April 29, 2009. USA Boxing's Lake Erie Association Lifetime Accomplishment Award.

Jack Loew & Kelly each received the award. The USA Amateur Boxing Lake Erie Association is the district that encompasses Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron and surrounding areas. The LEA has produced numerous amateur and professional champions, nationally and worldwide, including Harry Arroyo, Jeff Lampkin, Greg Richardson, Joey Maxim, Earnie Shavers, Nate Brooks, Raynell Williams and so many many more. Jack Loew has always produced excellent amateurs out of his Southside Boxing Club and has been the LEA team coach numerous times as the best boxers from the district go on to compete at national tournaments. The dinner and presentations were at Sterle's Slovenian Country House in Cleveland, Ohio. On hand were numerous former LEA stand outs including two of the most recent, Shawn Porter & Miguel Gonzalez.

March 15, 2009. Kelly and Jack In St. Patrick's Day Parade.

About a decade ago, Kelly and Jack participated in the Youngstown St. Patrick's Day Parade driving at the end of the line in a small car with a hand written sign that read "Kelly 'The Ghost' Pavlik, Middleweight Contender". They've been in the parade every year since, and last year held the honor of Grand Marshall. In 2000, Kelly launched his professional boxing career as a decorated amateur and rose from a prospect, to a contender, to the mandatory challenger, and Ultimately to the Universally Recognized World Middleweight Champion. Perhaps the people of Youngstown support Kelly and Jack because their accomplishments don't just speak about boxing but about setting goals and working tirelessly towards those goals, whether it's school, or work, or for the enrichment of the city. This Parade celebrates all the wonderful things about Youngstown, most notably, it's great commodity of community.
More Photos Courtesy of Trent Wasacz
Vindicator Article about the Parade

February 21, 2009. Pavlik TKO's Rubio. Successfully Defends the World Middleweight Title.

The biggest Youngstown event in 3 decades got an exclamation point of Saturday night -PAVLIK won huge! The rugged Marco Antonio Rubio trained in the mountains of Temoaya, Mexico at more than 9,000 feet above sea level and came to Youngstown with plenty of gas in the tank. Pavlik's full arsenal & high punch volume (over 700 in 9 rounds) was persistent and unrelenting. Rubio, the mandatory #1 WBC contender, was dismantled and stopped. He did not answer the bell for the 10th round.
Video from ESPN NEWS; highlights of the fight & Story, 2-22-09
Video of Champ's Motorcade leaving Hotel, drive down South Ave.
Video of Champ's Motorcade Arriving at Chevy Centre
See black & white photos courtesy of Tony Kellers
Read Pete's Sports Blog

February 18, 2009. Three Singers Chosen. Four Ring Card Girls.

There was only supposed to be one winner but all the contestants were very talented and the judges had to find a way to include as many of them as possible. Matt Wolfe will sing the Anthem before the Pavlik fight on Saturday. Alyssa DiBernardi will sing "God Bless America" to open festivities on the night of the fight. Mark Hanni will sing the National Anthem at the official weigh-in on Friday.
The Ring Card girls were chosen via online voting on Valley24.com. Dawn, Jocelyn, Syreena & Laylah.
Read more about the National Anthem contest; Vindicator.
"Read" more about the ring card girl winners; Valley24.com.

February 18, 2009. Rubio is in town. Media workouts.

Marco Antonio Rubio arrived in Youngstown and conducted a workout open to the media on Tuesday February 17. Rubio, the #1 WBC mandatory contender spent the duration of his training camp at the Municipal Gym in the mountains of Temoaya, Mexico at more than 9,000 feet above sea level. Pavlik's training camp has been a varied regiment based entirely in Youngstown. His trainer Jack Loew opened the NEW Southside Boxing Club to the Media earlier today.
CLICK HERE FOR RUBIO MEDIA WORKOUT PHOTOS
CLICK HERE FOR PAVLIK MEDIA WORKOUT PHOTOS
Video From Pavlik Workout
Video of Team Pavlik talking about the upcoming weekend

February 12, 2009. Defending Youngstown. Defending the World Title.

Mexico's Marco Antonio Rubio will be coming to Youngstown to challenge the World Middleweight Champion in his back yard. Kelly's trainer, Jack Loew, has conducted a closed training camp for the entire duration. No newspaper photograhers, no television crew cameramen, no friends or well wishers. It's all business. (This photo is from last year). Kelly Pavlik will defend the linear World Middleweight Championship on February 21st, 2009 at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. The Middleweight Title carries the sport's prestige. Previously held by numerous legends including "Sugar" Ray Leonard, "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler, Jake "The Raging Bull" LaMotta, "Sugar" Ray Robinson, and many of the great personalities in boxing history.
Ohio sports stars will be in attendance

January 27, 2009. BackYard Brawl shirt premieres.

The Back Yard Brawl shirt premiere's on the Merch page of www.TEAMPAVLIK.com along with the 'Pavlik Boxing' window cling. These items are the first of many upcoming with a more contemporary look.
Get your shirt now! Click Here.

January 17, 2009. Autograph signing at Lake Erie Monsters game.

Kelly was invited as a special guest of the Lake Erie Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Monsters season ticket holders were part of a special meet and greet in a conference room at the arena. Afterwards, Kelly signed autographs for an hour in the main atrium. Several television stations covered the Champ's appearance and he spoke to reporters about preparation for his February title defense. He got interviewed live during the first time out of the game. This special event came at the end of a full day of training. The following video is a stroll down the line of people waiting to meet the Champ.

January 14, 2009. TV commercial for Pavlik Autograph Signing coming up Saturday 1-17-09.

January 13, 2009. Pavlik Vs. Rubio is announced in New York City.

January 10, 2008. Tickets sell in record time and number.

About 5,500 tickets were sold in 30 minutes. Reporter Dave Skolnick of the Vindicator says more tickets were sold for the Pavlik Title defense than for any other event in the Chevrolet Centre’s three-plus-year history. Many braved the cold & snow and got their tickets from the box office but thousands of others swamped ticketmaster.com and called direct. With a capacity of 7,000 there are a couple hundred tickets in the $200, $300 and $500 range left but the $50 and $100 range were gone within 30 minutes. The Chevrolet Centre is a stunning facility that seems almost as though it is more suitable for boxing than Las Vegas' MGM. It has a compact design, chic style and it's one of the most modern arenas in the entire State of Ohio. Pavlik fought at the Chevy Centre in 2006, winning with a knock out.
Read Dave Skolnick's entire article.

January 5, 2009. Training Camp begins. Tickets go on sale January 10.

The first training camp of 2009 has commenced. Kelly Pavlik will be defending his World Middleweight Title against Mexico's Marco Antonio Rubio on February 21st, 2009 at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. Tickets go on Sale Saturday January 10th at 10am at all Ticketmaster locations, on ticketmaster.com by calling ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or 1-866- 448-7849, also at the Chevrolet Centre Box office: 229 E. Front St., Youngstown.
CHECK OUT THE NEW GYM! Vindy Video Here.