Taylor more respectful of Pavlik today

Kelly Pavlik - Atlantic City

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — After a New York City press conference filled with trash talk from Jermain Taylor and, especially, his trainer, Emanuel Steward, Thursday’s press conference involving Youngstown middleweight Kelly Pavlik and WBC champion Taylor was more subdued.

But, this being boxing, both got some jabs in.

Pavlik, in response to Steward’s tough talk on Wednesday, said he thought it was a ploy by the trainer to motivate his fighter.

“When I hear that at a press conference, it’s a plus for me,” Pavlik said.

Pavlik said he’s focused and ready to go, which has been a consistent message from his camp over the past few weeks. Pavlik spent much of Thursday morning and afternoon doing interviews — he’s taking part in a live chat with ESPN.com at 2 p.m. today — and relaxing in his room at Bally’s hotel, which is just a three-minute walk from Boardwalk Hall, which will hold the fight on Saturday.

Taylor and Steward, meanwhile, were more respectful of Pavlik on Thursday, though that’s not saying much given the disrespect they paid Pavlik’s camp on Wednesday.

Steward, the legendary trainer, said much of the hype surrounding Saturday’s fight came as a result of Pavlik’s victory over Edison Miranda in Memphis, Tenn., in May. Pavlik fought on the undercard of a lackluster main event between Taylor and Cory Spinks.

“He had the greatest fight of his career about an hour apart from one of the most disappointing fights of Jermain’s career,” Steward said.

Taylor reiterated that he’s not worried about Pavlik, saying his powerful right hand is too slow to hit him.

“I expect him to come straight at me and try to back me up, throw a lot of punches,” Taylor said.

Thursday was the last press conference for the two fighters before Saturday’s bout, although there will be a weigh-in at 6 p.m. Friday at the Palladium Ballroom inside Caesars casino. Youngstown fans are invited to attend to cheer on Pavlik.

For more coverage, read Friday’s Vindicator and visit www.vindy.com.

For more Pavlik fight coverage, see Friday’s Vindicator.