Few fireworks at pre-fight press conference

Kelly Pavlik’s trainer, Jack Loew, was looking for a sombrero and a verbal sparring match on Thursday.

He didn’t find either.

Loew made headlines this week by tabbing Marco Antonio Rubio’s three handlers “The Three Amigos” and admitted he was hoping to wear a sombrero to the pre-fight press conference. (He hasn’t ruled out wearing one this weekend.)

“If you find one,” he said, “I’ll put it on.”

Loew and Rubio’s handlers have bantered through the media over the past few days, but everyone was on their best behavior Thursday in front of a crowd of reporters and about 100 fans at the Chevrolet Centre.

“They wouldn’t give me a shot at them,” Loew said. “Just like [fighters] have a game plan when they come into the ring and it changes once they see Kelly’s power, now that they see us face-to-face, they’re very cordial.

“That’s fine. I wish them the best of luck but it’s not gonna be their night Saturday night.”

Rubio earlier predicted a knockout victory and vowed to return to Mexico with Pavlik’s belts. His cornerman, Ramon Rodriguez, said Loew shouldn’t quit his day job and that Pavlik will need Rubio to use his nursing background to tend to Pavlik afterward.

There was none of that on Thursday.

“Kelly is a gentlemen at all times, as am I,” Rubio said. “I think the team sometimes gets overanxious.”

For more details, read Friday's Vindicator or visit Vindy.com.