Spinks was a bad style for Taylor, but it is the best style for fighters to fight. They seem to get better after they fight elusive guys. They work on things in the gym after that.
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Spinks was a bad style for Taylor, but it is the best style for fighters to fight. They seem to get better after they fight elusive guys. They work on things in the gym after that.
Have yourself a shiny :coolclick: for saying exactly how I feel about this guy. I understand why people felt Spinks didn't win, but I still would have give him the win for the fact he was doing more than Taylor. I feel that based on his last 4 fights, Jermain Taylor does not deserve to be recognised as undisputed middleweight champion.Quote:
Originally Posted by wacko3205
Community pride rides high after Kelly Pavlik's victory
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Attendance was standing room only at one Valley bar that showed the fight.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
It was a proud Sunday for the Mahoning Valley — a day after what one person called one of the greatest moments in the region's noted sports history.
In pummeling his way Saturday to the world's No. 1 middleweight contender title, Kelly Pavlik gave the Mahoning Valley a positive punch.
A night that started with anxious feelings for some slowly grew into a roar.
About 30 minutes after it began, it was over.
The Valley was a euphoric place for hundreds upon hundreds who gathered in bars and homes to watch Pavlik ascend to boxing elite.
"There was just this roar," said Shawn Durkin, manager at Buffalo Wild Wings in the Great East Plaza, Niles, where 200 or so people packed in to watch the fight.
Durkin said a lot of anticipation led up to the first bell, and some were nervous about the outcome. But once the bout started and Pavlik dominated, the restaurant was taken to a different place.
"It was just loud, and everyone was high-fiving each other and really enthusiastic."
Area leaders found themselves in awe of the 25-year-old from Lowellville.
"It's a great victory for Youngstown," said Anthony Traficanti, Mahoning County commissioner. "That young man is on his way to the top. It was one heck of a fight."
The victory is good for the community, too.
"It speaks volumes on the quality of people that come out of the Valley, not only in the professional business field, but also in sports," Traficanti said. "Kelly Pavlik is definitely a great testament to that."
Room was packed
Jason Kather, manager at Quaker Steak & Lube, Interstate Boulevard, Austintown, said the restaurant was standing room only for the fight.
The restaurant seats 500 people.
"It was an electric atmosphere here," Kather said.
Every time Pavlik mentioned Youngstown, the crowd cheered, the manager said.
"It was like any playoff game for the Steelers or the Browns," he said.
Pavlik volunteered as a celebrity bartender at the Austintown restaurant occasionally, and SportsTime Ohio, a television station, filmed one of his recent appearances there.
Quaker Steak will likely host another party when that program airs, Kather said.
Officials' responses
Elected officials also tuned in to the fight.
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams believes Pavlik's victory ranks among the greatest moments in the city's annals of sports history.
"I think this is a new chapter being written," he said.
Williams referred to comments from the announcers at the fight about Youngstown's great sports and boxing tradition, specifically mentioning Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini.
"Kelly Pavlik represented, first and foremost, himself and his family, but also the city and the Mahoning Valley in an exemplary fashion," the mayor said. "It was a tremendous feat and a tremendous accomplishment."
He was also impressed by the number of times the fighter mentioned the city.
Williams acknowledged he's not a boxing analyst, but believes, as some experts in the sport have opined, that the undercard fight between Pavlik and Edison Miranda should have been the main event.
That main attraction was the fight between JermainTaylor, the middleweight champion, and Cory Spinks. Taylor won the fight in a split decision by the judges.
When interviewed after his victory, Taylor was asked if he'd fight Pavlik. Williams said the champion evaded a direct answer, indicating that Taylor may see Pavlik as fists to be reckoned with in the ring.
State Rep. Robert Hagan, D-60th, of Youngstown, watched the fight Saturday night with his wife.
Sunday morning, he was watching it again with his son.
"It just gives the city of Youngstown and the people of Youngstown something positive to be proud of instead of something negative," Hagan said.
The state representative is impressed with Pavlik's loyalty to the area as well, pointing to how many times the boxer mentioned Youngstown after Saturday's win.
Online discussion
The Vindy.com discussion board shows popularity of Pavlik's fight stretches almost as far as his punches.
Scott Bondar, a 1998 Austintown Fitch High School graduate, is on active duty with the military and living in Virginia.
"I've been watching Pavlik fight for some time," Bondar wrote on Vindy.com. "I've been telling everyone on base about Pavlik and for (Saturday's) fight, I had about 40 of my friends who hadn't previously heard of him watching the fight. Everyone was impressed and I can't wait to host a big party for his next fight."
In an e-mail, Bondar said Pavlik's comments after the fight showed the fighter's character.
"I felt a lot of pride with him representing my hometown. Everyone in the military talks a lot about where they are from, and I think he is really putting Youngstown on the map," Bondar wrote. I think it also showed a lot of character on his part that he knows where he came from and acknowledges his fans in Youngstown."
The fight was emotional for the serviceman.
"I felt like he won the fight for every one of his fans in the Valley," Bondar wrote.
Others hope Pavlik's next fight is a little closer to home.
Anthony C. said on Vindy.com that he watched the fight with about 10 friends.
"We were loving everything about the fight and how Kelly Pavlik dominated. We are proud of Kelly and we hope to see him take down Jermain Taylor this summer at the Chevy Centre."
NeverQuote:
Originally Posted by amat
From the Mahoning valley to me in the Cuyahoga valley. Much love for the ghost around here. He is the poster child for northeast Ohio.+1 at ya agian.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucifer's Infection
Pavlik will beat Taylor from pillar to post.No training can prepare Taylor for what comes his way. ;)
I hope so, But I wish Pavlik would take about three more hard fights before Taylor.... The Poll is exactly tied up right now!Quote:
Originally Posted by USA LOVES THE KLITSCHKOS
E.Steward says Kelly Pavlik is a solid fighter," Steward said. "He's a tough, solid, basic kid - and if they fight ... it's going to be a tough fight. But at least Jermain will get to fight and use his jab and do basic stuff instead of chasing a guy all night
New K.Pavlik Ko's Vid(Including Miranda) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKBUij2lhhg
Pavlik by KO in 6.
Man I think Pavalik is gonna wipe the floor with Taylor gonna knock him out good I mean seriously just look at Jermains first fight with B-hop in wich B-hop hurt him on a # of ocassions now imagine what a younger stronger Pavalik is gonna do to Jermain and pavilik is got real good boxing skills too i rest my case 8)Quote:
Originally Posted by wacko3205
Steward is basically saying that these guys are going to trade alot and if it comes done to the better chin and better exchanges and who is going to land flush more I would go all in on Pavlik and say hhe will win by tko or ko.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucifer's Infection
cc for the vid, man. i'm happy for boxing that this fight is happening. a good matchup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucifer's Infection
Sweet video.
I like to watch Pavlik fight, and he's from my home state, but i feel that he is going to be the one to bring out the beast in Taylor, and will lose. However, if Taylor takes him lightly, it might be over quick.
Taylor by points.
You have over 14oo posts, yet I have never seen you before?? well man I say hi.
T.v doesn't do Pavlik much justice. If he was more muscled and not as long it would look alot more painful for the other guy on the receiving end.I have never scene such a long middle weight with that heavy of fists.He is a destroyer.I dont think Jermaine Taylor will be able to handle a guy who can punch through a guard and knock a person out with either hand to the body as well as the head.But then again Jermiane Taylor is still the champ.
:coolclick: Hello back.Quote:
Originally Posted by boozeboxer