Schiavoni enjoys his role with Team Pavlik

By Greg Gulas

BOARDMAN — As a youngster Lou Schiavoni was an aspiring amateur boxer who wanted to make a splash on the amateur level, hoping that a professional career might be in the future.

Schiavoni won the Golden Gloves 112-pound novice division title in 1972, then finished runner-up the next two years in the 118- and 126-pound open divisions.

His dream of turning professional was replaced by the choice to pursue a law degree where for the past three decades, he and his sons have followed in the footsteps of his late father, Joe.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, Schiavoni spoke candidly of his love for the fight game, how he has served as the advisor and promotional agent to Team Pavlik and his hopes that fighters would realize they cannot live just for the moment, but should make plans for their future.

“I grew up on the South Side and it was through boxing that I really had most of my fun,” said Schiavoni. Later on, I was able to promote some excellent fighters and have been lucky to promote some well-received cards.

“Being an advisor/promotional agent to Team Pavlik, however, has been a most enjoyable undertaking,” he said.

After Pavlik defeated Edison Miranda in May 2007 he was besieged with offers of investment opportunities.

He was about to enter uncharted waters as far as his career was concerned.

“I was playing golf with Kelly one day and he told me what the various groups of people were promising, said Schiavoni.

“I told him to call me if he needed some advice, willing to share with the entire team my thoughts on preparing for a life after boxing.

“While Top Rank and Cameron Dunkin do a lot of Kelly’s contracts, we do a lot of the advising and after some very wise investment decisions, it’s safe to say that Kelly is one of the top five boxing money earners today in terms of promotional endorsements and appearances.”

Schiavoni’s boxing career was often questioned by his father, yet he never backed down and his efforts both inside and outside the ring some four decades later have aligned him with many notables from all walks of life.

“I used to tell my dad that you like golfing and the Fonderlac Country Club. I like boxing and the inside of a gym,” said Schiavoni.

“There were times that even I questioned myself, but riding to the Chevy Centre for the Marco Antonio Rubio [fight] a week and a half ago, with a police escort reinforced to me that all of the sweat, training and advising has really been well worth it.”

Next week, Youngstown native Neil Lowry, who was a standout for coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Kentucky, will be guest speaker.