Pavlik Could Be Coming Home To Fight Next

WBC, WBO, and The Ring Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik Wants To Fight In Ohio Next

There’s no doubt that NE Ohio sports is dominated by LeBron James. After LeBron, you have the likes of Grady Sizemore, Braylon Edwards, and Joe Thomas. But perhaps Ohio’s most underrated athlete, then, is none other than Kelly Pavlik. After taking the Middleweight title from Jermain Taylor last year, Kelly successfully defended his title for the first time over the weekend and he held on to the title in convincing fashion. The overmatched Gary Lockett fell to Pavlik by third round TKO. It was never a fair fight.

Now, with a wide open future, one of Pavlik’s options could be to defend his title close to home in Cleveland. Promoter Bob Arum has already said he wants Pavlik’s next fight to be at Light Heavyweight against unified champ Joe Calzaghe, son of Lockett trainer Enzo Calzaghe. If that fight happens, it will be in October in Las Vegas. This would be the biggest fight both domestically and globally, but if it happens, it means Pavlik’s Middleweight defense at home will have to wait. However, if the Calzaghe fight falls through, then expect a Pavlik fight in Cleveland in September. In a story on MaxBoxing.com, Arum says,  

“My first priority is Joe Calzaghe and that’s a huge fight, and if that fight takes place, it would take place in Las Vegas. So that’s priority number one. And I really believe that the Calzaghe people – Frank Warren is a good friend of mine – they want to make the fight. I think the economics will come together and I think that the fight will be made. That fight would be in October. Now, if the Calzaghe fight can’t be made, then Kelly would fight in September and we would like to fight in Ohio.”

Regardless of what happens, one thing is certain, and that is that Pavlik has won over fans in NE Ohio and his loyal following has already proven they will travel near (Atlantic City) and far (Las Vegas) to watch their native son fight. Therefore, it is only just that Pavlik and his loyal following should be rewarded with a “thank you” fight in Cleveland. As Steve Kim wrote in the MaxBoxing.com article,

“It’s safe to say that Pavlik isn’t just Youngstown’s franchise or the face of the city, he’s its heart and soul. He gives them hope – or at least a convenient excuse to spend weekends in Atlantic City that they probably can’t afford. Oscar De La Hoya is the most popular fighter in the game, but nobody has a fan base in the United States that has the type of undying loyalty that Pavlik’s does. He’s the closest thing to an American version of Ricky Hatton. Where he goes, he brings the ‘rust belt’ with him.

Pavlik was grateful for those who showed up this weekend.

“The economy, four-dollar-and-some-cents per gallon (for gas), that’s ridiculous. There’s high school graduation parties, college graduation parties all over. So for the fans we got this time of year was amazing,” he would say. “I think we get back into Ohio, where people don’t have to drive all the way across or fly and not even get a hotel room. I think that’s really going to fill the stands.”

There had been talk of Cleveland Browns Stadium being the venue, but that has been ruled out by Arum due to some logistical issues. A building like the Quicken Loans Arena (home of the NBA Cavaliers) could land Pavlik’s next assignment.”

Whether Pavlik fights in Nevada or Ohio next, we know the NE part of this state will be watching. And while it may be true that a jump up to Light Heavyweight to face Joe Calzaghe would be the bigger draw overall, you’ll have to forgive me if I selfishly find myself yearning for the Ohio fight so I can have a chance to go and watch Kelly Pavlik fight in person.