PAVLIK ROUNDUP | News and notes

Right on schedule: Youngstown middleweight Kelly Pavlik weighs 168 pounds, just two pounds off his target weight for the Feb. 16 rematch with Jermain Taylor. “The good thing is, I can eat now,” said Pavlik, who usually has to start dropping weight at this point to meet the 160-pound middleweight limit. “For the first time, I can focus on eating the right stuff. Nothing fattening, more carbs than anything. Or if I’m eating fish, I can eat an extra piece.” Taylor plans to fight at super middleweight (168) following the rematch, which was one of the main reasons for the 166-pound limit. Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew, said he thinks Taylor is having more trouble with his weight than Pavlik. “Kelly’s wearing T-shirts in 20-degree weather and he’s [three] weeks from the fight,” Loew said. “Every time I see anything about Taylor, he’s got sweat clothes on in 70-degree weather.” Like most big middleweights, Pavlik often has trouble losing the final few pounds, meaning the lead-up to next month’s fight will be more pleasant than usual. “By the time we’re at 164, we’re chopping off body parts,” Loew said. “For the first time in four years, he won’t have to sit in a sauna or run on a treadmill right before the fight.”

Few adjustments: Pavlik has watched slightly more film than usual leading up to the rematch. “I look for things I can correct,” he said. “I see things he did, mistakes he’s made and mistakes I made.” One of Pavlik’s mistakes in the September bout came in the second round when he got caught twice with looping right hands behind his ear. “It’s something we’ll make sure the ref is aware of,” Pavlik said. “The rematch is going to be tough, but I think he has a lot more to correct than we do. We’ll correct our mistakes; it’s a matter of, will he?” Taylor has switched trainers from Emanuel Steward to his longtime coach Ozell Nelson. Nelson trained Taylor as an amateur. “He’s the guy who taught Jermain all his bad habits, so I’m thankful Jermain brought him back,” Loew said.

Pavlik gear: Loew recently began selling Southside Boxing Club T-shirts and sweatshirts at the gym and on his gym Web site, www.southsideboxingclub.net. Prices range from $15-$35. Also, fans looking for Pavlik gear can visit www.teampavlik.com. The site offers T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.

Joe Scalzo