Pavlik Roundup: News and notes

Black and white issue:As he climbed the middleweight ranks, Pavlik had to battle the perception that he was slow and overhyped due to the color of his skin. When asked whether people may also be underestimating Lockett because of his race and his European roots, Pavlik said it’s possible. “That’s a good question,” he said. “If you look at all the weight classes from junior welterweight up, [a lot of the champions] are from the U.K., Wales, Germany, Russia. You look at the middleweight division, the two other belts [besides Pavlik’s] are held by Felix Sturm and Arthur Abraham and they’re from Germany. I’ve got the other two and I’m Slovak and ‘Heinz 57.’ ” Pavlik laughed when he delivered the last line, but he was serious when he said it’s an outdated perception. “If there is any perception of that, it’s from people who haven’t been paying attention to boxing the last five years. They just remember the Pernell Whitakers, the [Oscar] De La Hoyas, the [Felix] Trinidads and Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. That’s what they’re going off of because right now in boxing the majority of champions are Caucasian fighters or European fighters.”

Weighty issue: Pavlik weighed in at 1641‚Ñ4 pounds earlier in the week, which is exactly where he wants to be. “We’re right there and this is without even struggling to get him there,” said his father, Mike Pavlik Sr. “We haven’t began to really start cutting down on his food because with the amount of work he’s doing, he has to eat. I have to keep him strong.” The last few pounds are generally the most difficult and Pavlik may have to wear a fat suit during training to lose them. “I haven’t worn it yet, but it’s gonna be coming out,” said Kelly Pavlik. “We’re polishing it right now.”

Yellow and black attack: Mike Pavlik Sr. was wearing a yellow shirt and black pants at Wednesday’s press conference, but when told it looked like he was wearing Pittsburgh Steelers colors, the longtime Cleveland sports fan took offense. “This is by no means Steelers colors,” he said. “If anything, it’s New Orleans [Saints] colors. I’ve got a tattoo of the Steelers but I can’t show it to you.”

Finally: Pavlik was asked by a reporter what makes him so difficult to face in the ring. “I’m a bad dude,” he said, smiling. “Mentally and physically, I prepare for every fight like it’s my main fight. I take nobody lightly and I train like nobody else does. My training shows in the ring. I wear fighters down.” Plus you’re a bad dude? “Plus I’m a bad dude,” he said, laughing.

Joe Scalzo