Pride in Pavlik

The fighter’s work ethic is a model for the Mahoning Valley.

THE VINDICATOR

By ED RUNYAN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s safe to say that the Mahoning Valley has embraced boxer Kelly Pavlik as a local hero.

In the months since the South Sider beat Jermain Taylor on Sept. 29 to win two middleweight world boxing titles, he has signed autographs at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, visited the kids in the Lowellville school district where he went to school and attended a reception for an exhibit of photos of him at the Butler Institute of American Art.

At each event, large numbers of people turned out. And they have shown more than just thanks for bringing a world title to Youngstown. They’ve said thanks for letting them feel good about themselves.

“He’s the perfect Valley guy — hard work, tough, aggressive, and I think that’s why he’s so well received here,” said Ken Kollar, general manager of the Eastwood Mall Complex.

Pavlik’s two-hour autograph signing session there Jan. 12, sponsored by the mall, WFMJ Channel 21 and Home Savings and Loan, drew so many fans that time ran out for some fans. They were given a guarantee of being first in line when Pavlik comes back the next time.

“Right now the people of the Valley are hungry for success stories, and he’s a great success story, and he’s a great kid,” Kollar said.

“With all the gloom and doom with gas prices, stock markets and housing foreclosures, he’s a breath of life. It’s an uplifting experience.”

Kollar, who played college football at Syracuse University and coaches youth football, said the boxer has a message about hard work that would be valuable to any youngster, such as the ones Kollar coaches.

“I would love to have him come talk to those kids. What he’s gotten, he’s earned. He’s a world champ. Why? Because he’s worked his tail off. His work ethic makes up for any other deficiencies,” Kollar said.

Besides the Pavlik autograph signing session last month, the mall was also the location for an autograph signing session for former Ohio State stars Art Schlichter, Tom Cousineau and Cornelius Green in the fall.

Pavlik’s appearance was much bigger, he said.

“He’s very down to earth, not flamboyant. He’s not the superstar,” Kollar said of the 25-year-old fighter’s demeanor and manner of dress at public appearances.

Pavlik attended an assembly Oct. 23 at Lowellville High School, where cheerleaders made up cheers for him, officials praised him and students gave him a plaque.

But more than anything, Pavlik spent time with the 645 students in the school system, shaking hands with every one of them, posing for picture and signing autographs. Some of the younger children drew pictures for him and waited patiently to give them to him and shake his hand.

“They screamed. They were in awe,” said Jerry Tarcy, a guidance counselor.

Pavlik graduated from Lowellville High School and the Mahoning Career and Technical Center in 2000.

Lou Zona of the Butler Institute of American Art said the public appetite for Kelly Pavlik was enormous Dec. 9 when an exhibit of 39 photographs of Pavlik opened at the museum. The photos showed Pavlik and his handlers while Pavlik trained for the Taylor fight, the fight itself and his homecoming.

More than 500 people attended the reception that day where the Taylor fight was shown and Pavlik talked a little while. Zona noticed that the fighter spent a lot of time with kids that day, signing autographs and being photographed.

“He’s probably so used to crowds want to get near him, you’d think he’d be blasé about it, but he wasn’t,” Zona said.

The exhibit and a video containing narration from Pavlik remained popular throughout the four weeks it was intended to be shown, so it was extended a couple weeks longer, until Feb. 3.

“I was not expecting the response we got from it,” Zona said.

The exhibit was a departure from the offerings normally seen in the fine arts museum, and it brought in a larger number of boys, men and families than normal, Zona said.

“It was across the board in terms of popularity — both young and old,” he said. “It was a widespread appeal.”

runyan@vindy.com