Beer, community pride flow freely at Pavlik's victory bash

BOARDMAN — Would anyone stand a Ghost of a chance in getting a drink at Tiffany’s Bar and Grille Sunday?

People stood three-deep behind those lucky enough to get a seat around the bar as “Hot Jen” Garczewski, an experienced bartender, did her best to keep up with drink orders.

But she had help, too. Kelly Pavlik, there to celebrate his boxing victory over Edison Miranda in Memphis last weekend, had taken a break from mingling with well wishers and signing autographs at his victory party. He stepped in to pour drafts for the fans and friends who’d come to celebrate with him.

When he’d tried earlier to assess his bartending skills, Pavlik didn’t exactly have the eye of the tiger.

“Uh, not good — probably not good at all.” He had the eye of the deer in the headlights.

No problem. If the bartending thing doesn’t work out, he still has that “undisputed No. 1 contender for middleweight championship” gig going on.

And if a fan or two went a little thirsty waiting on their drink, they would surely forgive him.

Because there was plenty of community pride on tap at Tiffany’s for Pavlik, and it was flowing fast.

It was that pride, plus the desire to help out kids who wage their own fights every day against cancer that filled Tiffany’s with people.

See the complete story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com