Get set for frenzied festivities before, during and after the fight
- In more Pavlik coverage ...
-
- STORY: Behind the scenes, arena crews report few snafus
- EDITORIAL: Pavlik fight delivers a punch that’s good for the area
- VIDEO: Pavlik Talks about Rubio
- STORY: Youngstown venue impresses out-of-town media
- VIDEO: Kelly Pavlik wins!
- STORY: Fans of Kelly Pavlik arrived early and were ready to celebrate a win
- STORY: John D'Altorio: With these next words, one person is already upset with this story.
- STORY: Kelly beats Rubio into submission
- PHOTOGALLERY: Kelly Pavlik Fight Night
- PHOTOGALLERY: Fight night at local bars
- VIDEO: Pavlik motorcade pre-fight
- STORY: Downtown swells with Pavlik fans
- STORY: Boom Boom is in the house!
- STORY: Experts’ opinions: Kelly Pavlik flawed, but has bright future
- STORY: Pavlik wants to silence critics with dominant performance tonight
- VIDEO: Pavlik and Rubio weigh in
- VIDEO: Pavlik Fans Predict
- STORY: Fans weigh in at weigh-in
- STORY: Pavlik, Rubio make weight
- STORY: Pavlik vs. Cox?
- PHOTOGALLERY: Pavlik Rubio weigh in
- STORY: Pavlik battled his way to top
- STORY: “Kelly Pavlik — this is your life.”
- PHOTOGALLERY: Kelly Pavlik Press Conference
- VIDEO: Team Pavlik talks
- VIDEO: Kelly Pavlik works out
- STORY: International fight audience will hear 3 Valley singers
- STORY: Team Pavlik keeps eyes on the prize
- VIDEO: National anthem contest
- STORY: Pavlik inspires next generation
- PHOTOGALLERY: Kelly Pavlik training
Where there’s a big event, there are big parties. This weekend, Youngstown will host one of the biggest events in the city’s history, and parties that go with the Kelly Pavlik-Marco Antonio Rubio fight hope to match the hype.
For celebrity spotting, the pre-fight party at the Chevrolet Centre hosted by Bruce Zoldan, chief executive officer of B.J. Alan Co., is the place to be.
There are about 30 packages remaining for $550 and about 30 VIP seats for $500, he said.
The packages for $550 include food, premiere seats for the hydration weigh-in, the pre-fight rally, the Phantoms hockey game tonight, a pre-fight VIP celebration on the mezzanine level of the center and a $500 ticket for Saturday night’s fight.
To purchase the package or for more information, call (330) 746-1064, ext. 228.
Celebrities such as Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown and former lightweight boxing champ Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini are likely to be at the VIP celebration, as well as members of the Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers teams and staff.
“It seems like every hour there is more interest,” said Zoldan.
Some celebs with movie star status and well-known TV personalities wanted to come to Youngstown for the event but are involved with the Oscars on Sunday, he said.
“We’re getting a slew of calls,” he said. “Even though it’s a tough economy ... people know this is a historic event.”
The rally tonight has sold 1,500 tickets, and Zoldan said he expects that number to double. The doors open at 6 p.m.; the Phantoms game starts at 7:35 p.m.
“It should be two big nights at the Chevy Centre,” Zoldan said. “There will be a lot of frenzy, build-up and excitement.”
If you didn’t get a ticket to the Pavlik-Rubio fight, plenty of excitement will be happening outside the arena Saturday.
Buffalo Wild Wings on Central Square is hosting a party under a 30-by-40-foot heated tent starting at 5 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s going to be big,” said Mike Huston, general manager. “If there was another way to say it, I would.”
The free party will be similar to a Party on the Plaza, he said. Music will be provided by classic rock station Y103 and by The Rage, a local band.
Huston is predicting a Pavlik win and is excited for people to hang out in Youngstown after the fight to celebrate.
“I think people will stay downtown and realize how much goes on down here,” he said.
In Boardman, the Youngstown Sports Grille will also have an outdoor party. Sean Pregibon, restaurant owner said he will have a heated tent for fans before the fight. A $5 cover charge is required, he said.
“There are only 7,000 seats at the Chevy Centre, but there’s 200,000 people in the Youngstown/Warren area who want to watch the fight.”
Pregibon added it’s a great time for area businesses to show off the city.
“This is an exciting time for everyone in the Valley,” he said. “It gives us, citizens, business owners and athletes ... time to show the world what Youngstown is all about.”
Although McMenamy’s, Youngstown Warren Road, Niles, isn’t in the heart of Youngstown, it’s no stranger to throwing a party in honor of Kelly Pavlik, owner Bob Leonard said.
“We’re big supporters of Kelly and we want people to be able to see him fight,” said Leonard.
Saturday night festivities start at 4 p.m. and there is a $3 cover charge. A ticket giveaway around 8 p.m. is the big draw for the party at McMenamy’s. Two lucky people will have the opportunity go to the fight and everyone who walks through the doors is eligible for the drawing.
Bringing the fight to Youngstown is “unbelievable,” especially at a time when people are losing their jobs and the morale of the Valley is low, Leonard said.
“Very seldom do you get the chance to brag about your community and area in such a fashion as this,” he said.
Hosting such a large event in Youngstown is a positive way “to highlight the city and show that Youngstown is a good place to live,” said Chris Kochera, who runs the front office of the Youngstown Club, Commerce Street, Youngstown.
The club will be open to the public for pre-fight celebrations Saturday starting at noon, she said.
Those wishing to eat dinner in the main dining room must make reservations and can receive 10 percent off their bill by showing a fight ticket. The main lounge doesn’t require reservations, said Kochera.
Although the Youngstown Club isn’t showing the fight, its pre-fight celebrations are part of the weekend buzz.
“[The fight] is a big deal, and it’s right in our backyard,” said Kochera who called the Youngstown Club “the biggest secret in town.”
“I hope he wins,” she said. “He’ll bring something special to the area.”