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Pavlik tutors rocker with special workout
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Guitarist Stevie D. of Buckcherry, World Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik, Vocalist Josh Todd of Buckcherry and Buckcherry's personal trainer and private security chief Dan Abell pose inside the ring at Southside Boxing Club Saturday
By Greg Gulas
Kelly Pavlik and Buckcherry lead vocalist Josh Todd got together at Jack Loew’s gym.
YOUNGSTOWN — If he weren’t the front man for the Los Angeles-based hard rock band Buckcherry, lead vocalist Josh Todd would have considered very much a career in boxing.
Counted among the group’s many music fans nationwide is local middleweight champion, Kelly Pavlik and his wife, Samantha.
When Todd and Buckcherry arrived here for Saturday’s concert at the Chevrolet Centre, it was only natural that Todd connect with Pavlik to start his day with a workout at Jack Loew’s Southside Boxing Gym. Eric Ryan, the venue’s executive director, served as matchmaker.
The group’s multi-tattooed lead singer sports a tattoo on his chest that says Chaos. One on his lower back says Desire — it’s indicative of his seriousness once he puts on the gloves.
“I am a big fight fan and work out daily, so I cannot thank Kelly enough for taking the time out of his busy schedule to not only work out with us, but lend some valuable ring pointers as well,” Todd said.
“He’s a fantastic boxer with plenty of knockout power and is someone who has the skills to pay the bills,” Todd said. “More so, I love his story and what he had to do in order to get to where he is today.”
Arriving a little after 10 a.m, Pavlik put Todd and best friend, Dan “The Body” Abell (the band’s personal trainer and private security chief) through a session that included time on the punching bag, speed bag, double end bag and hitting of the pads in the ring.
Abell, who was wearing Pavlik’s “Affliction” t-shirt, described his session as rigorous.
“I did exactly what Kelly told me to do and must admit that it was challenging, to say the very least,” Abell said. “It was more than a basic workout but since we have a show tonight, we didn’t exactly go all out either.
“Kelly is like Elvis in the ring and believe me, this is something that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Abell said.
Pavlik, who was a guest of the group at Saturday’s concert, enjoys all of Buckcherry’s music but readily admits, with tongue in cheek, that his favorite cut is “Crazy Bitch” from the group’s third studio album, “15.”
“I have been very fortunate in that I have met many influential people from all walks of life,” Pavlik said. “To be able to share a podium with Hillary Clinton was special, but to find out that a group like Buckcherry is a fan, well, that’s very humbling.
“If the truth be told, I am the one who is star struck right now,” Pavlik said.
Pavlik couldn’t help but notice Todd’s Desire tattoo, noting “that is what it is all about.
“Desire is what drives you whether you’re in the ring or performing on stage. It all comes back to your desire to excel.”
Stevie D” Dacanay, Buckcherry band member who was on hand to photograph the workout, called Todd’s love for boxing genuine and Pavlik one of the true, genuine champions.
“I work out but do not box so this was kind of a break for me,” Dacanay said. “Josh however, is someone you cannot pull away from the television when a fight is being shown.”
Upon completion of the 45-minute work-out, which concluded with Pavlik guiding Todd through the “lung burner” session in the ring, the champion was impressed with the lead vocalist and his desire to elevate his game.