Public pep rally for Kelly Pavlik’s next fight is Wednesday

YOUNGSTOWN —A public pep rally at the Chevrolet Centre promoting Kelly Pavlik’s next fight will be an opportunity for the middleweight boxing champion to show off his hometown to a national audience.

“Kelly definitely wants to show off the city,” said John D’Altorio Sr., Pavlik’s publicist. “Kelly’s focus is on promoting Youngstown.”

He and Youngstown will get to show off Wednesday.

Numerous national media outlets including HBO and ESPN as well as journalists from major cities including Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia will be on hand during a noon press conference at the center. The press conference is followed by a public pep rally at 1 pm. at the city-owned facility.

The doors to the center for the free rally open at noon.

“This will put Youngstown on the map,” D’Altorio said. “This is a big deal.”

Pavlik, the reigning middleweight champion, is fighting Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City on Oct. 18 in a nontitle bout at the 170-pound light heavyweight limit. The most a middleweight can weigh is 160 pounds.

Wednesday’s event is designed to help promote the fight and to give Pavlik’s fans the opportunity to be part of the build-up to the boxing match, D’Altorio said.

Pavlik’s team is hoping a few thousand people will attend the event.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com