Youngstown Ohio, home of hard working, middle/lower class folks, in our nations rust belt. A proud group, who once helped forge the steel that helped build our country. The town shares a similar story with its own favorite son, Kelly Pavlik. Once the hardworking, tough, undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World, Pavlik is now down on his luck too, fighting to stay on top. With a near meteoric rise to the top, the young steel town brawler was knocking out everything in his path, and it all culminated with his knockout victory of previously unbeaten and undisputed Middleweight Champ Jermain Taylor, on that fateful night down on the Boardwalk of AC. Pavlik captured the hearts and imaginations of his hometown, and the country, giving them something to cheer for and be proud of, for the first time in decades Youngstown had a top of the line export.
In the years that followed Pavlik has steadily declined, coming to a screeching halt in the very building that made him famous when Sergio Martinez brutalized him over the last 4 rounds. The excuses have been said, the weight, the trainer, the this and that, but now Pavlik finds himself down, just like Youngstown. Can the one time superstar rise back up, clear away the rubble, and make another run at a title? I think so.
It all starts on the Pacquiao/Margarito undercard. Pavlik will be facing journeyman, and former Contender participant, Brian Vera. Vera represents a step down in competition, a rebuilding fight, and stepping stone. Should The Ghost blast him out inside 3 rounds? Yes. Is Vera a dead body? Hardly. Though Vera has a rough 17-5 record he has pulled upsets in the past. Most notably when he derailed Andy Lee 2 years back.
If Pavlik, as expected, gets by Vera what is next? A fight with Lucian Bute at 168? Winner of Martinez vs Williams II? We aren't quite sure yet, only the future holds that answer.
Even though folks think the ship has sailed on Pavlik, just like Youngstown, I think he will do what his town can not. Come back.
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