Q. Where did you get the nickname "Ghost"?
A. Obviously I have a light complexion, so that had something to do with it. (Laughs.) When I was younger, everyone told me I had good defense and was hard to find and hit.
Q. When are you happiest?
A. When everything is going as planned. When I can just relax. It's hard because there's a lot of headaches in this sport. Also, when I can spend time with my [1-year-old] daughter [Sidney].
Q. When are you the least happy?
A. When I have to deal with all the drama and all the headaches from boxing. Sometimes it takes over my personal life.
Q. Last time you cried?
A. Wow, I have no idea. I think it was when my pet dog died three years ago. His name was Mika. I had him since he was 4 months old. He was a mutt, a shepherd-lab mix.
Q. Stupidest thing you've ever done?
A. Well, that one situation. [Pavlik pleaded no contest two years ago to an assault charge accusing him of punching a Mahoning County deputy sheriff at a bar, although he insists he never hit the officer. It's the only blemish on Pavlik's record.] The stupid thing was just being down there [at the bar]. But if I had known how much heat I'd take over it, I should have just punched the guy. He said I hit him repeatedly, then two weeks later, he said I swung and missed.
Q. Best compliment you've ever received?
A. This isn't necessarily a compliment, but I feel better when I know I'm doing something for kids. I donate a lot of things to the American Cancer Society, like boxing gloves and trunks. I could have kept that stuff for myself and put it in a trophy room, but I'd rather give it away. I get a lot of letters and thank-yous from that.
Q. Are people surprised you're so nice in person?
A. (Laughs.) Well, boxing is something I do for a living, but I don't necessarily like to do it. It's like a construction worker. He works all day, and the last thing he wants to do is pick up a hammer or look at a tool. If I go somewhere, I don't want to throw punches. I don't even talk about [boxing] after working out. I like to relax and hang out.
Q. Three people you'd like to meet?
A. Well, I'd like to meet some [metal] groups like Korn or Avenged Sevenfold. I'd like to hang out with [actor] Will Ferrell one night. I don't think I'd be able to breathe in the morning because I'd be laughing so hard. And maybe Ricky Hatton. He's a boxer from England who likes to play darts, like me. I belong to the Youngstown Dart Association. It's getting really big.
Q. How long does it take your hands to heal after a fight?
A. It depends on the fight, although they're always sore after a fight. Usually about two weeks. Sometimes I have to get therapy, and that might take about three weeks.
Q. Favorite food?
A. Hmmm. Maybe chicken and greens. Or homemade pasta. Or ribs with me and my brother's barbecue sauce. If I go out, maybe chicken parmesan or steak.
Q. Least favorite?
A. I like all seafood, although I get sick of it because I eat it so much. Probably sushi. I don't like that.
Q. Favorite golf course in the area?
A. Bedford Trails. The owners are great people, and they always take care of me. If not there, the new Countryside course.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Q. Where did you get the nickname "Ghost"?
A. Obviously I have a light complexion, so that had something to do with it. (Laughs.) When I was younger, everyone told me I had good defense and was hard to find and hit.
Q. When are you happiest?
A. When everything is going as planned. When I can just relax. It's hard because there's a lot of headaches in this sport. Also, when I can spend time with my [1-year-old] daughter [Sidney].
Q. When are you the least happy?
A. When I have to deal with all the drama and all the headaches from boxing. Sometimes it takes over my personal life.
Q. Last time you cried?
A. Wow, I have no idea. I think it was when my pet dog died three years ago. His name was Mika. I had him since he was 4 months old. He was a mutt, a shepherd-lab mix.
Q. Stupidest thing you've ever done?
A. Well, that one situation. [Pavlik pleaded no contest two years ago to an assault charge accusing him of punching a Mahoning County deputy sheriff at a bar, although he insists he never hit the officer. It's the only blemish on Pavlik's record.] The stupid thing was just being down there [at the bar]. But if I had known how much heat I'd take over it, I should have just punched the guy. He said I hit him repeatedly, then two weeks later, he said I swung and missed.
Q. Best compliment you've ever received?
A. This isn't necessarily a compliment, but I feel better when I know I'm doing something for kids. I donate a lot of things to the American Cancer Society, like boxing gloves and trunks. I could have kept that stuff for myself and put it in a trophy room, but I'd rather give it away. I get a lot of letters and thank-yous from that.
Q. Are people surprised you're so nice in person?
A. (Laughs.) Well, boxing is something I do for a living, but I don't necessarily like to do it. It's like a construction worker. He works all day, and the last thing he wants to do is pick up a hammer or look at a tool. If I go somewhere, I don't want to throw punches. I don't even talk about [boxing] after working out. I like to relax and hang out.
Q. Three people you'd like to meet?
A. Well, I'd like to meet some [metal] groups like Korn or Avenged Sevenfold. I'd like to hang out with [actor] Will Ferrell one night. I don't think I'd be able to breathe in the morning because I'd be laughing so hard. And maybe Ricky Hatton. He's a boxer from England who likes to play darts, like me. I belong to the Youngstown Dart Association. It's getting really big.
Q. How long does it take your hands to heal after a fight?
A. It depends on the fight, although they're always sore after a fight. Usually about two weeks. Sometimes I have to get therapy, and that might take about three weeks.
Q. Favorite food?
A. Hmmm. Maybe chicken and greens. Or homemade pasta. Or ribs with me and my brother's barbecue sauce. If I go out, maybe chicken parmesan or steak.
Q. Least favorite?
A. I like all seafood, although I get sick of it because I eat it so much. Probably sushi. I don't like that.
Q. Favorite golf course in the area?
A. Bedford Trails. The owners are great people, and they always take care of me. If not there, the new Countryside course.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Q. Where did you get the nickname "Ghost"?
A. Obviously I have a light complexion, so that had something to do with it....
