Calm before storm

By Joe Scalzo | August 28, 2008 at 12:10a.m.

Kelly Pavlik Press Conference

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The Chevy Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

Pavlik and Hopkins Youngstown rally

Video

By Joe Scalzo

PAVLIK vs. Hopkins | Oct. 18in Atlantic City

Kelly Pavlik and Bernard Hopkins were very respectful of one another during a pep rally at the Chevrolet Centre.

YOUNGSTOWN — Standing in front of a crowd of 500 rabid fans, Kelly Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew, gave a not-so-subtle hint about Bernard Hopkins’ prospects on Oct. 18.

“There comes a time when every dog has to be put down,” said Loew at Wednesday’s pep rally at the Chevrolet Centre. “His [Hopkins’] time is over.”

Hopkins, who ruled the middleweight division for a decade, will fight Pavlik in a non-title bout in Atlantic City on HBO pay-per-view.

The fight’s buzzword is “unstoppable,” a reference to the fact that the 43-year-old Hopkins (48-5-1) has never been knocked out.

Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) said he would love to be the first.

“That’d be great, awesome,” said Pavlik. “Our plan is to leave no doubt about the outcome.

“We don’t want it to be close on the scorecard.”

The pep rally was the third leg of a promotional tour for the fight. The first stops came earlier in the month in Philadelphia (Hopkins’ hometown) and New York City.

The promoters came to Youngstown to reward Pavlik’s loyal fans, who have traveled in droves to Las Vegas and Atlantic City for his last three fights.

Although Hopkins usually courts controversy before a fight — especially if it helps sell tickets or pay-per-view buys — he’s been uncharacteristically respectful of Pavlik over the past few weeks.

He said he is a Pavlik fan because he won the middleweight title the hard way, without relying on politics or being the darling of the boxing world.

“He did it with these,” he said, holding up his fists.

Hopkins even quoted Sun Tzu’s “Art of War,” saying, “A good general always respects his enemy.”

Pavlik joked he’s not as good at talking as Hopkins (who can sound like a preacher when he gets going), but promised the fans he’d put on a good show.

“I love fighting the best fighters in the world,” Pavlik told the crowd. “You know how I fight, you know my style. Nothing’s gonna change.”

The Oct. 18 bout is a contrast in styles. Pavlik prefers to come forward, throw a lot of punches and has power in both hands. Hopkins is a defensive fighter and an excellent counter-puncher.

“I go in the ring with one thing in mind — win,” said Hopkins. “Hit him more than he hits me. Pavlik’s style is self-explanatory. I’m a throwback.

“This fight has the potential to go either way. Both sides have the potential to taste canvas.”

Hopkins holds the middleweight record with 20 successful title defenses. He said he wasn’t aware of Pavlik until he beat Edison Miranda (“who I was hot on”) in May of 2007. He particularly enjoyed watching Pavlik twice beat Jermain Taylor, who took Hopkins’ belts.

“And he did it after he got knocked down, which impressed me,” Hopkins said.

So, when Pavlik struggled to find a quality opponent for this fall, Hopkins jumped in.

“I’m a legend; everyone knows what I’ve accomplished,” said Hopkins. “I want to show people I haven’t lost it.

“To me, this [Wednesday’s event] is saying boxing is still alive. I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Pavlik started training for the bout on Monday. Both fighters are known for their intense training and both figure to come into the fight in top condition.

That doesn’t mean they’ll enjoy it.

“I like the fights,” said Pavlik. “That’s the best part of it for me — the fight part.”

scalzo@vindy.com