Pavlik has surgery, still eyes Oct. 3 bout

Kelly's C-130 Nose Art

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A likeness of Kelly Pavlik adorns the nose of a military aircraft at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. Painting artwork on the noses of a military aircraft is a time-honored tradition. Among others, there was famous “Memphis Belle” of Hollywood fame and the “Enola Gay” of Hiroshima fame.

He had surgery on his left hand to clear up a problem from a staph infection.

By Joe Scalzo

Kelly Pavlik has already missed one fight due to a bout with staph infection. He doesn’t expect to miss another.

Pavlik had surgery on his left hand two weeks ago to clean up some scar tissue stemming from a bout with staph infection last February. His father and co-manager, Mike Pavlik Sr., called it a “pinhole cut,” and said it’s not a big issue.

“It wasn’t healing, so they had to go in there and scrape the scar tissue out of it,” Mike Sr. said. “It’s got to heal from the inside out because it was only healing from the outside.”

Pavlik, who originally suffered the injury while training for his February bout with Marco Antonio Rubio, was scheduled to fight Sergio Mora in late June, but his promoters canceled the bout because his hand had not fully healed.

Pavlik said his doctors gave him a clean bill of health, but the problem resurfaced when he resumed training a few weeks ago.

“I was running and getting ready [to fight] and it kept flaring up, so the doctors said, ‘Hey, let’s take care of it,’ ” Pavlik said. “It’s unfortunate I had to get surgery.”

Pavlik’s handlers are in negotiations with several fighters for him to fight on Oct. 3 in Atlantic City. HBO is pushing for Pavlik to fight Paul Williams, but negotiations have stalled over money. Pavlik’s co-manager, Cameron Dunkin, said the surgery will not affect the fight date.

“No, no, no,” said Dunkin. “We’re fine with the date. We’re just waiting on one of the five guys.”

Pavlik’s promoters also considered a Sept. 26 date, but have since settled on Oct. 3, Dunkin said. Pavlik generally likes to have eight weeks to train. This Saturday will be eight weeks from Oct. 3.

Pavlik Sr. said there is no long-term damage in his son’s hand.

“There’s no problems with the knuckle or the ligaments or tendons,” he said. “It’s just a little cut that would not heal. He’s fine. There’s no damage to anything.”

Pavlik said he’s eager to get back in the ring.

“I’m anxious,” he said. “I miss the gym. I miss working out. I’m ready to get back in there.”

scalzo@vindy.com

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