Pavlik camp denies rehab report

By Joe Scalzo

YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik’s father and co-manager, Mike Sr., vehemently denied an Internet report Thursday that his son is in an alcohol-rehabilitation center.

“There’s absolutely no truth to that at all,” Pavlik Sr. said. “Those are vicious, ugly rumors and there’s more than that out there.”

RingTalk.com writer Pedro Fernandez was the first to report the rehab rumor, citing an unnamed source in Youngstown. He did not report the name of the rehab center, nor did he give any evidence to support the claim. Still, the report was picked up by several Web sites.

Mike Sr. said rumors about his son’s behavior have been circulating for weeks. Initially, the Pavliks tried to ignore them in hopes that they’d go away, but that has proved fruitless.

“We figured they were so absurd that they didn’t need to be addressed,” said Mike Sr., who forwarded the Internet reports to Pavlik’s attorney, Michael Miller. “But they’re actually gaining momentum now.”

Pavlik’s co-manager, Cameron Dunkin, admitted Pavlik has been struggling with the burdens of fame and even saw a sports psychologist in recent weeks.

But he forcefully denied the rehab rumors.

“It’s total [bull],” he said.

Mike Sr. said the Pavlik camp has an idea who is spreading the rumors, but declined to mention names.

“We can’t prove it,” he said. “Somebody has a vendetta against him. I just feel bad for [Kelly].

“This is a young man’s life they’re screwing with.”

Pavlik, who did not respond to interview requests, has not fought since a 10th-round knockout of Marco Antonio Rubio in February in Youngstown. Dunkin said Pavlik’s fame has made it difficult for him to do everyday activities such as grocery shopping without being hounded for autographs.

But, Dunkin added, because of his popularity and his recent income, Pavlik is reluctant to turn down those requests for fear of looking like a “bad guy.”

“He met with the sports psychologist and said he feels better now,” Dunkin said. “The guy told him, ‘You can’t make the whole world happy.’”

Pavlik has spent the past few weeks putting in a pond near his Canfield home,

Mike Sr. said. He is scheduled to appear at tonight’s Mahoning Valley Thunder football game for a book signing.

“He’ll be there,” his father said.

scalzo@vindy.com