CURBSTONERS Pavlik pursuing middleweights

The undefeated fighter intends to go after the WBA belt late this year.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- "The Ghost" is lurking from a close distance, casting his shadow over boxing's world rankings and readying to haunt those before him.
Youngstown's Kelly Pavlik (20-0, 18 KOs), the undefeated middleweight known as "The Ghost", is preparing to become a world champion, and it could happen this year.
"Everything's been falling back into place," said Pavlik during the Curbstone Coaches' luncheon Monday at Lockwood House. "The momentum's starting to go forward again, and that's exciting for me."
Moving up
The 6-foot-21/2, 168-pound Pavlik has almost cracked the top 10 in three of boxing's four major organizations -- WBO (10th), WBA (11th) and IBF (12th).
"I'm gonna have to take that final step now," said Pavlik, 22.
Pavlik and his trainer, Jack Loew, announced Monday the boxer's intentions to fight for the WBA middleweight title late this year. The news first came from Cameron Dunkin, Pavlik's agent.
"He told me I have a chance of sliding up to the No. 1 spot in the world," Pavlik said. "That was unbelievable."
The WBA has an unusual system in which an undisputed champion (in this case, Bernard Hopkins) becomes the super champion, thus vacating the association's belt.
Two of the WBA's top-ranked boxers would meet for that vacated title and then be forced to defend it against Pavlik.
"I would have one elimination bout for the No. 1 spot, and after that I would get the world title shot," Pavlik explained.
In the ring
Pavlik estimates that title shot could come in October or November in Las Vegas. His next scheduled fight is July 2 at the Struthers Fieldhouse.
"With this ranking in the WBA, [promotional company Top Rank] wants to push me up," Pavlik said. "[A world title shot] is looking good for the end of the year.
"And after that, I would want to have one of my defenses back here in Youngstown."
Pavlik's health makes fighting for a title even more realistic. He reported Monday that his left hand, which had been injured for some time, was 100 percent healthy.
"I feel a lot more comfortable in the ring. I think it's going to be a big year due to the fact that I have both my hands back now," Pavlik said. "It's a lot easier that way."
Magazine label
The entire Pavlik camp is looking forward to a big year from its fighter, who has battled injuries and criticism. Ring Magazine recently rated Pavlik as the "most-protected middleweight," insinuating that Top Rank was keeping him away from more competitive opponents.
"We want to step it up to the next level," Loew contended. "If they want to throw [Oscar] De La Hoya at us, so be it. At this point, Kelly could fight almost anyone out there."
Pavlik added of the magazine's label, "The way I look at it, my name's coming out of their mouth. That's a plus for me because they're putting my name out there more into the boxing world."
Nothing would do that more than the anticipated title shot.
richesson@vindy.com