Ghost-mania sweeps the Valley

By Jon Moffett

YOUNGSTOWN — Tickets to the fight, check.

Free parking for the event, check.

Transportation from the bar to the Chevrolet Centre, check.

Eric Jacobs and Jessica Ketris had everything planned out for Saturday’s WBC/WBO middleweight championship fight between Youngstown’s own Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and Marco Antonio Rubio.

And a little help from a Youngstown restaurant made it possible for the pair and others to have a safe ride to and from the fight.

Cassese’s MVR, located at 410 N. Walnut St., offered a free shuttle service from the restaurant to the arena.

“I think every bar should have done it,” said Ketris, 22 of Poland, “because everyone is drinking tonight. I think it’s nice. Even if they were charging, I think it’s worth it.”

Jacobs, 42, of New Middletown, agreed, saying, “MVR did a wonderful job with all of this.”

The MVR was one of many area establishments hosting fight fans with no tickets to Saturday’s big fight. Joe Cassese, restaurant manager, said people had packed the establishment since 3 p.m. He said there was an hour wait for parties of two to four and a 90-minute wait for parties of more than four.

The restaurant staff had even insulated and heated the outside patio area, transforming it into an additional room for boisterous boxing fans. Though the restaurant did not show the fight, people were lined up outside the door before the event for food, drinks and an exciting atmosphere.

“We came down here for the fight’s pregame so to speak,” Jacobs said. “We’ll go down to the fight and come back and enjoy the time.”

Jacobs and Ketris arrived at MVR around 5 p.m., he said, and used the free shuttle service to escort them to their section 214 seats. Jacobs said getting tickets to the fight was a priority and was satisfied he was able to acquire a pair.

“As soon as they went on sale, we jumped on the computer,” he said. “We tried getting $100 tickets, but we couldn’t get anything. So I said, [forget] it, I’m going. After all, if you go to Atlantic City or anywhere else, you’re paying thousands. This is local.”

While the MVR offered a free ride to the fight, plenty of other local hangouts offered a place to watch it.

Andy Milovich, 39, of Charleston, W.Va., and his father-in-law Ken Muggs, 69, from Johnson, Ohio, were part of a group which represented many states.

Milovich said members of the group came from Cleveland, Charleston and South Bend, Ind., to watch the bout. The group met up at Quaker Steak and Lube in Austintown for some wings, and then headed over to the fight. Muggs said people coming from all over was a big positive for the city.

“When have they had 10,000 people downtown Youngstown recently?” Muggs said. “It’s been quite a while.”

Those who didn’t plan on making the trip downtown still had plenty of options for dining and viewing.

Deedee Foster, 30, of Youngstown, and her sister Ariel, 26, waited at Jillian’s in Boardman since 5 p.m. to watch the fight. The sisters said waiting on the fight was their way of showing support for Pavlik, who inspires the area.

“I just like to see Kelly because he is bringing [a positive] influence and impact to this Valley,” Ariel said.

Joe Precurato, 27, of Austintown, met up with some of his friends at O’Donold’s Irish Pub & Grill in Austintown for the fight. He said they were there to cheer on the hometown hero.

“Any time Pavlik fights it’s always exciting,” he said. “It brings excitement to the Valley, and any positive press we can get around here is good.”

jmoffett@vindy.com