BOXING Ortega prepared to learn first-hand

The Mexican will fight Kelly Pavlik on Friday in Struthers.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Mexican boxer Pedro Ortega says he knows little about Youngstown's undefeated fighter Kelly Pavlik.
Friday night, Ortega may know more than he ever wanted about the 20-0 boxer.
"I know about his record, but I know very little about him," the 31-year-old Ortega (33-9) said at a press conference Wednesday at BW-3 Restaurant.
Friday at 9 p.m. at Struthers Fieldhouse, Pavlik and Ortega will box.
Pavlik has 18 knockouts and one was against Ortega's friend Eduardo Gutierrez in the second round on Feb. 8 in Las Vegas.
"Gutierrez told me some things about Pavlik, but I will learn a lot more about him Friday first hand," Ortega said.
Last fight
"I just fought 12 rounds in May and have been training since that fight, so I am in good shape," Ortega said. "How I fight Pavlik depends on what he brings to the ring. If I have to, I can box [or] I can slug it out."
Ortega's record has been promoted as an unimpressive 30-13. He issued a correction, claiming his record is 33-9 with 24 knockouts.
Pavlik said he's "ready to go and whatever Ortega brings to this fight, I will have something to counter it.
"I couldn't be in better shape with the training time I have had and the different things I have done," Pavlik said. "Along with regular roadwork, I have been running all the steps at YSU's Stambaugh Stadium."
He said most of his recent sparring has been with Kenny Sigurani in the Southside Boxing Gym.
Pavlik's only problem Wednesday was weighing 168 pounds. He needs to trim himself to 164 for today's weigh-in.
Cameron Dunkin, Pavlik's agent, says he's worried about the 10-round fight with Ortega.
"It will be a fight because Ortega is coming to fight and he is a tough guy to fight with a lot of his losses tough losses," Dunkin said. "This is Kelly's biggest test of his pro career by far and you can take it from me that people in boxing will be shocked if Kelly stops this guy."
Others
Also on the card, Shaker Heights featherweight Freddie Neal will box undefeated Steven Luevano in the 10 round co-feature.
Top Rank official Pete Susans announced two minor changes for the seven-bout card. Columbus boxer Tim Travis, who lost a hard-fought six-round decision to Salem's Davey McBride in Niles Sunday, will be in a featherweight four-rounder with Carney Bowman from York, Pa.
Youngstown's Andre Springs will make his pro debut in a featherweight four-rounder against Eric Nemo.
For ticket information, call (330) 501-5713.