Exhibit on Pavlik to open Sunday

The display includes
39 photos by Vindicator
photographers.

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik recalls a single moment from his triumphant night when he became middleweight boxing champion.

It was in the dramatic seventh round when Pavlik knocked out champ Jermain Taylor. Seconds before his finishing flurry, Pavlik saw a nerve twitch up the arm and neck of Taylor.

It came after a Pavlik punch. At that moment, Taylor’s side seemed to collapse a bit.

“I knew I had him,” Pavlik said.

His trainer Jack Loew said he watched the fight video later to see if he could see what Pavlik saw. Loew had been amazed that amid the rush of a fight, a boxer could pick up something so subtle as a nerve twitch.

On the video, there it was.

It’s that story and the images of Pavlik that make up a new exhibit at the Butler Institute of American Art, which starts Sunday with a free reception at 1 p.m. and appearances by Loew and Pavlik.

“The Path to Greatness: Images of Kelly Pavlik” is a 39-photo exhibit of Vindicator photographers William D. Lewis and Robert K. Yosay.

The photos cover their work dating back to Pavlik’s Chevrolet Centre fight, his training for Taylor, the Taylor fight and the Youngstown homecoming.

A special feature of the reception and the exhibit will be Pavlik and Loew offering behind-the-scenes insights and sidelights to the 39 photos.

Their talk is not always serious, however.

Pavlik, in one photo, is waving his hand in the air the day he returned home from the Taylor fight. Behind him are some of the police cars that escorted him home. Pavlik describes the photo as the cops coming to arrest him, and that’s his hand in the air surrendering.

In a photo of Pavlik and his father, Loew suggests a resemblance between the elder Pavlik and the movie character “Shrek.”

The Vindicator is thrilled for the event as it shows off the great work of two of its professionals and also allows a more thorough look at the moments that led to greatness.

“The Pavlik title is the local sports moment for this generation. It will be a lifetime memory for the region much like Ray Mancini was 25 years ago,” said Vindicator Editor Todd Franko. “A newspaper has a great front-row seat for it, and to team with Butler and Pavlik to present it this way is fantastic for the community.”

Lou Zona, executive director at Butler, said the exhibit is a salute to the community.

“Two photographers have captured the excitement surrounding the championship fight. They’ve provided wonderful insight into one of the most remarkable accomplishments by an area sports figure on the national stage.”

After Sunday’s opening, the exhibit will stay up at the Butler through Jan. 13. There is no charge to visit the art museum at 524 Wick Ave.