Pavlik’s focus is now on training

The Youngstown boxer will earn at least $2.5 million
for his Feb. 16 fight.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — The Southside Boxing Club had gone Hollywood, with a fancy press conference backdrop in the center of the ring and a famous attraction, Kelly Pavlik, in front of it, answering questions from a group of reporters in between camera flashes.

Then, midway through Tuesday’s press conference, someone asked Pavlik what he thought of the media attention.

“Go home,” Pavlik said, chuckling.

As much as Pavlik’s life has changed since winning the middleweight title in September, his approach to boxing — and life — hasn’t changed. Training comes first and his focus is on the next fight, not the previous fight, not the attention and not his public profile.

“I know Taylor wants redemption,” said Pavlik, 25, who will fight Jermain Taylor in a rematch on Feb. 16 in Las Vegas. “This fight is my focus.”

That’s not just a good fight strategy; it’s a good business strategy. Pavlik will earn between $2.5 million and $3 million for February’s fight, and that number could rise if the Pay-Per-View numbers are good.

If he beats Taylor, his next bout would likely bring him at least $4 million. By comparison, he made just more than $1 million for September’s bout — which was double his previous-best purse.

“He’s the first middleweight champion for Top Rank since [Marvin] Hagler,” Top Rank Boxing spokesman Lee Samuels said. “His is the most important title we have in the company.”

If 2007 saw Pavlik emerge from anonymity to become one of the hottest fighters in boxing,

Top Rank is hoping 2008 will be the year Pavlik explodes.

His handlers believe his fan-friendly fighting style, combined with his blue collar roots and humble personality, have put him on the verge of stardom.

“He just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said his manager, Cameron Dunkin. “If he can get through this year [undefeated], he’ll be able to pick and choose his fights. He’ll be like [Floyd] Mayweather and Oscar [De La Hoya].”

The keys are exposure and victories. Many of Pavlik’s handlers wanted to keep him on regular HBO in February, rather than HBO Pay-Per-View, so more fans could be exposed to him. They felt Pavlik was the type of fighter who could eventually draw casual sports fans, much like Mayweather or De La Hoya.

“Everyone who sees him, loves him,” said Dunkin of Pavlik. “Mexican guys, black guys, every place you can imagine. They all love the guy.”

Pavlik’s next bout will be against Irishman John Duddy on June 7 at Madison Square Garden. Duddy has a large following in New York, meaning the fight will likely be a huge draw. After that, Pavlik will probably fight in September and could finish the year with a bout against IBF champion Arthur Abraham, Dunkin said.

“Kelly wants to unify the belts before he moves on,” Dunkin said.

In the meantime, he won’t be hurting for opponents. Roy Jones Jr., Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins have all expressed interest in fighting Pavlik — every time it happens, Dunkin gets 50 calls on his cell phone — and winning will only increase his profile.

“If he hits hard on Pay-Per-View, the money will be astronomical very quickly,” Dunkin said. “Maybe he’ll get to the point where he only fights once a year or every 18 months if the money is right.

“We’d all like to see him make himself a bundle, then get out by the time he’s 30.”

scalzo@vindy.com