Mr. Pavlik’s neighborhood

Pavlik fights with the support of those who watched him grow up.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik will soon attempt to take the lead in what is arguably one of the roughest sports in existence, but he still embraces the gentle atmosphere of the neighborhood that nurtured him as he grew up.

The South Side neighborhood where Pavlik has spent his entire life is lined with single-family, ranch homes with well-maintained lawns and neighbors who proudly claim to look out for one another.

Pavlik, standing in the driveway of his family home Tuesday, points to various houses along the street, remembering friends and neighbors, some long gone, who left a lasting impression on his life. The boxer smiles at the memories.

Pavlik said he is ready to board the plane and head out to Atlantic City — only working to keep his weight down before the title fight.

Those living in Pavlik’s neighborhood — whether making the trip to Atlantic City or watching the fight at home — plan to be at his side in a spiritual sense. One home less than 100 yards from where Pavlik grew up speaks for the majority of the neighborhood with a large “Kelly bring it home” banner hanging from the front porch.

‘Just wonderful’

Dovie Ross has lived in the neighborhood since the mid-1980s and said Pavlik is the type of individual she is proud to call a “kid” from her neighborhood. In fact, she would like to call him her kid literally.

“He is just wonderful,” she said. “I never had any children. I wish he was my son.”

Ross said Pavlik, even with all the fame and success he has found in the world of boxing, still greets her with a respectful “Hello, Miss D” just as he has done for the last two decades whenever they happen to be outside at the same time.

“I know he has to move some day, but I really don’t want him to,” she said.

Pavlik actually moved out of the home owned by his father, Michael Pavlik, several months ago to a home less than four minutes away by car. He acknowledges it was difficult to leave the comfort of the neighborhood.

“You want to move out so bad, then when you do, you ask yourself, ‘Why did I do that,’” he said.

Deserving of success

Don Ramsey has lived across the street from the Pavlik home since 1971. He has watched Pavlik, his brothers and numerous other kids in the neighborhood grow up and said Pavlik deserves every bit of success he achieves in boxing.

“He was always polite, nice and very well-mannered, as were his brothers and all the other neighborhood kids,” he said. “Everyone played together and grew up together, and now we got a famous one. It’s great to see where he is going.”

Dwayne Dee, 37, moved to the neighborhood about five years ago and has been close to the Pavlik family. Like most others in the neighborhood, he is happy to see Kelly Pavlik move toward champion status.

“Five years ago he was a scrawny kid who worked hard all the time. This is one great opportunity for one great kid,” he said. “Not everyone’s dreams come true, but his dream seems to be coming true.”

jgoodwin@vindy.com