16 Mahoning Co. businesses sued over Pavlik fight

Each establishment is being sued for $150,000.

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN — A company that said it had exclusive televi- sion distribution rights to the Feb. 16, 2008, Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor boxing championship fight has sued 16 Mahoning County bars and restaurants.

The company’s lawsuit says the establishments showed the fight without permission.

Each bar or restaurant is being sued for $150,000 in the complaints, which were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, which includes the county.

Jeffrey L. Koberg, the Cleveland lawyer who filed the suits Thursday and Friday on behalf of the distributor, J. & J. Sports Productions Inc, of South Pasadena, Calif., did not return a call to his office seeking comment.

Listed as defendants are: Dave’s Somewhere Else, 2426 Mahoning Ave.; Giacchetta’s, 3310 Mahoning Ave.; the Handle Bar, 1666 Mahoning Ave.; the Dash Inn, 2716 Mahoning Ave.; the Voodoo Lounge, 4740 Mahoning Ave.; Dubic’s Palm Cafe, 301 Steel St.; Davidson’s Restaurant, 3636 Canfield Road; Mojo’s Pub and Grill, 5423 Mahoning Ave.; Dee & R’s Place, 3114 South Ave.; Irish Bob’s Pub, 3602 South Ave.; the Tangier Bar, 880 Youngstown-Poland Road, Struthers; Dickey’s, 23 N. Meridian Road; Gavo’s Sports Bar, 3661 Mahoning Ave.; Billy’s Bar, 40 S. Meridian Road; Bill’s Place, 4771 Mahoning Ave.; and Cosmo’s Tavern and Grillery, 1722 S. Raccoon Road.

The complaint against Dave’s Somewhere Else says the bar showed the fight “with full knowledge that the program was not to be intercepted, received and exhibited by entities unauthorized to do so.”

Calls to some of the business owners for comment were not returned.