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