Pavlik gets hero welcome, and partying begins.

Pavlik Rally

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YOUNGSTOWN — Down, but not out.

In the second round of his title fight against Jermain Taylor, Kelly Pavlik was knocked to the canvas. But he got up, and fought on to become the world’s middleweight boxing champion.

Youngstown, where his quest for boxing greatness began, has had its own struggles. Now, it has a new hero.

The city was only too happy to have a reason to celebrate on a Friday evening. It greeted its native son with a proper hero’s welcome.

A motorcade started above the Market Street bridge as police and fire engines escorted Pavlik downtown, where throngs of fans waited behind police tape. Two limousines carrying Pavlik, who waved to the crowd through the sunroof, and his family arrived in style.