Pavlik gleams in Vegas' glamour

I peer through a small window of the airplane, mesmerized by the sight before me.
The heart of Las Vegas extends in the distance, a collection of hotels that seemingly reaches forever into the desert sky.
Up close, these structures are more powerful than first realized. They are endless in every direction and full of bright lights that transform the nights into a whole new world.
This, they say, is where everything happens. Las Vegas is entertainment and money; it's people who never sleep.
Kelly Pavlik knows this world.
Second home
Since signing with Top Rank three years ago, Pavlik, the up-and-coming Youngstown middleweight, has fought in Las Vegas six times.
The 21-year-old remembers the first.
"Once we landed, the sun was going down," Pavlik said. "I looked out the bottom of the window and I saw all the lights. It was unbelievable, just like the movies."
Along the path to his 18-0 record (17 by knockout), Pavlik has defeated opponents at heavyweight hotels such as Mandalay Bay, Luxor and The Orleans.
"I still look around and smack myself in the face," Pavlik said. "When I'm walking out in the big arena, wow, it's crazy."
Pavlik's route to the ring takes him down elevators and through casinos, where hundreds of people stop, stare and ask for autographs.
Because Pavlik often fights on the undercards of Top Rank's big names, thousands more pack arenas. He's admitted to fighting in front of 12,000 fans.
"You do notice," he said. "I've been blessed. Every time I fight out there, I think I'm fighting at home because everybody in the place cheers."
Not every part of Las Vegas is glamorous, however. Top Rank had stationed Pavlik there for a month-long training camp prior to one of his fights. He was alone for what seemed like an eternity.
"They take you out of your regular habitat and put you in a wild jungle, with a handful of money, no car, nobody with you," Pavlik said. "They keep me away and isolate me."
Not much fun, but the time away from home has taught Pavlik patience and promoted personal growth. He's learned to stand up for himself more in the sport and be more outspoken.
"If you come up and talk to me, I want to talk to you," Pavlik said.
Sidelights
Pavlik is still working his way into the sport's fabric, but he has gotten a glimpse of the glamour (hanging out with actor Will Smith during a movie shoot) and star power -- good and bad.
He calls Oscar De La Hoya, Top Rank's most well-known fighter, "a class act," and he speaks highly of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Fernando Vargas, on the other hand, doesn't hold the same acclaim. Vargas actually rammed his shoulder into Pavlik's as the two crossed paths by a podium.
Naturally, Pavlik wasn't pleased.
Next challenge
Pavlik, at 6-foot-21/2, 165 pounds, plans to carry his unbeaten record into New York City's Madison Square Garden in December for his next fight.
"I've never been to New York City," Pavlik said. "It's going to be crazy."
First, however, he must overcome a nagging injury to his right hand that forced the cancellation of his fight earlier this month.
Irritated scar tissue has limited him to strength training and conditioning. He's giving his body a chance to heal.
"I'm not going to take any chances," Pavlik said. "I'm 21 years old. I'm not going to go in [the ring] and take a chance of being out two or three years."
Smart plan for a man who wants to hold a major title in the next two years.
XBrian Richesson is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at richesson@vindy.com.