CURBSTONE COACHES Pavlik expects to get title fight this year

The NABF middleweight champion is looking for a WBC title fight Sept. 17.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Youngstown middleweight Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik has spent the last six years waiting for his big chance.
He's about to get it.
Pavlik, the NABF middleweight champion, is guaranteed a WBC title fight by Sept. 17. Who he will fight hinges on the outcome of the June 17 fight between champion Jermain Taylor (25-0) and his top challenger, Ronald "Winky" Wright (50-3) in Memphis, Tenn.
"I've put my time in for the last six years," Pavlik said at Monday's Curbstone Coaches luncheon. "I can wait a couple more months.
"It'll be well worth it."
Ranked second in WBC
Pavlik (27-0, 24 KOs) is the WBC's second-ranked contender (behind Wright) and is ranked third by the WBO, fifth by the WBA and 11th by the IBF.
Pavlik's last fight was in October when he won the vacant NABF title with a 10th-round knockout of Colombian Fulgencio Zuniga. Pavlik may fight a tune-up bout at the end of May or the beginning of June -- most likely out west -- although nothing has been finalized.
Pavlik credits his win over Zuniga as a big factor in his success.
"That was my toughest fight by far," said Pavlik, who turned 24 on April 4. "That showed myself and my trainer that I have a lot of heart and guts.
"A lot of doors have opened up since then and it's put me in the good situation I'm in right now to fight for the title."
Like a lot of power punchers, Pavlik has struggled with injuries to his hands throughout his career. The long layoff has allowed his hands to heal, although his trainer, Jack Loew of the Southside Boxing Club, said it's always going to be a concern. To protect him, Loew has Pavlik spar with 20-ounce gloves.
"He's always going to have problems with [hand injuries]," Loew said. "But at this level, you're only going to fight three or four times a year.
"We do everything we can to protect him, but you just have to deal with it."
Unlikely to fight at Centre
Since the Chevrolet Centre opened last fall, many area boxing fans have wondered whether Pavlik will fight downtown. While Loew didn't rule it out, he said the main issue is the expense. If Pavlik fights downtown, all the costs are absorbed by the promoters (in Pavlik's case, Top Rank Boxing) rather than the Chevrolet Centre.
Since there's no adjoining hotel at the convocation center, the promoters would have to secure rooms for all the fighters on the card. They'd also have to cover food costs and any television costs if the fight is being televised. By comparison, Mountaineer Park covers all those costs, provides extra money and is only 45 minutes away.
"It's a no-brainer," Loew said. "Kelly really wants to fight at home and when he wins the title in September, he'd like nothing better than to come back for the holidays and fight here.
"But there are a lot of things to work out."
Loew's confidence about Pavlik's chances aside, the 160-pounder has to win the title first. He's excited to finally get the chance.
"As of right now, I've just got to sit back and wait," Pavlik said. "When I get my chance, I'll go in there and take care of business."
scalzo@vindy.com