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Published: Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Pavlik eyes his 'biggest fight'

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If Kelly Pavlik beats Lenord Pierre, he probably will get his long-awaited title shot.

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik can be likened to an explorer in search of the promised land.

The undefeated boxer from Youngstown, after battling his way through storms, over mountains, across oceans and against tenacious adversaries who don't share his dream and don't want him to reach it, finally can see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow located just a few rounds of boxing away in the ring at the Chevrolet Centre on Thursday night.

But standing between Pavlik (28-0, 25 KOs) and his visions of a long-awaited shot for a world championship bout is Lenord Pierre (18-2, 13 KOs), an experienced, Haitian-born fighter from Catskill, N.Y., who is getting an opportunity of a lifetime to enhance his career in their scheduled 12-round super middleweight bout.

The long-awaited showdown between the 6-foot-2 Pavlik and 5-foot-8 Pierre will start at 10 p.m. on national television over the Versus Network (formerly the Outdoor Life Network).

Pavlik, the No.2-ranked WBC challenger, said he is tired of paying his dues pursuing an elusive world championship bout, and is determined to overcome this final obstacle in Pierre to lay claim to his dream of becoming the best in the world in his weight class.

This could open the door

"This fight is probably the biggest fight of my career," said Pavlik, during a press conference for the eight-bout card Tuesday at Anthony's On The River. "Six years I have been in the pro ranks waiting for my [title] shot. I've done everything I was asked, but still no shot. Winky Wright [No. 1 WBC challenger] and Jermain Taylor [WBC and WBO champion] won't fight me. [So Pierre is] coming into my hometown to fight.

"Lenord comes to fight. There is no running or prancing around [by him]. There will be some bombs thrown."

Jack Loew, Pavlik's long-time trainer at the South Side Boxing Club, said that he hopes that this fight against Pierre finally will open some door to a world title fight with someone, somewhere.

"We're ready. Hopefully it can give him a shot at something," said Loew. "We saw the tapes of [Pierre]. He showed a lot of determination. He's definitely a big puncher and goes for the home run ball."

A win means a title shot

Lee Samuels, publicist for Top Rank which has been promoting Pavlik's career, believes that if Pavlik wins, his time will come for a title shot

"We have been looking for a middleweight champion and we think it will be Kelly. We are very pleased with the response so far [here in Youngstown]. It has been fantastic," said Samuels, noting that Bob Arum, the founder of Top Rank in 1966, was in New York Tuesday drumming up interest in the fight with the national media.

"[Kelly] is loved by the press in Las Vegas. Kelly will get a chance at the title. We are that close. He has to get past Pierre and then he will be on his way."

Samuels also emphasized that, "Kelly is an important part of Top Rank," which looks for young fighters with the potential to become champions, and then develops and promotes them.

Samuels said he is hoping for a sellout at the Chevrolet Centre.

"We haven't given away a single ticket. Top Rank doesn't give away tickets. We have sold 3,145 tickets [as of Tuesday]. We expect to sell more. It seats 5,700. It should come close to a sellout," said Samuels, who is hoping for a big at-the-gate purchase of tickets.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the first bout will begin at 8:15.

Strategy against Pavlik

Kevin Rooney, Pierre's trainer since Lenord was 11 after he immigrated to the U.S. from Haiti, said that his fighter will have a big height and reach disadvantage and will have to solve Pavlik's counter-punches.

"Kelly is a slick fighter, a counter puncher. He stands right in front of you. We have been working on being elusive. He waits for a mistake and then he is all over you," said Rooney, who was a prominent professional fighter himself and lost to Alexis Arguello in 1982 after compiling a 19-1 record. Arguello won three world championships.

"We're coming into a winning situation. It is a mutual opportunity for both fighters," said Rooney.

kovach@vindy.com

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

If Kelly Pavlik beats Lenord Pierre, he probably will get his long-awaited title shot.

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik can be likened to an explorer in search of the promised land.

The undefeated boxer from Youngstown, after battling his way through storms, over mountains, across oceans and against tenacious adversaries who don't share his dream and don't want him to reach it, finally can see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow located just a few rounds of boxing away in the ring at the Chevrolet Centre on Thursday night.

But standing between Pavlik (28-0, 25 KOs) and his visions of a long-awaited shot for a world championship bout is Lenord Pierre (18-2, 13 KOs), an experienced, Haitian-born fighter from Catskill, N.Y., who is getting an opportunity of a lifetime to enhance his career in their scheduled 12-round super middleweight bout.

The long-awaited showdown between the 6-foot-2 Pavlik and 5-foot-8 Pierre will start at 10 p.m. on national television over the Versus Network (formerly the Outdoor Life Network).

Pavlik, the No.2-ranked WBC challenger, said he is tired of paying his dues pursuing an elusive world championship bout, and is determined to overcome this final obstacle in Pierre to lay claim to his dream of becoming the best in the world in his weight class.

This could open the door

"This fight is probably the biggest fight of my career," said Pavlik, during a press conference for the eight-bout card Tuesday at Anthony's On The River. "Six years I have been in the pro ranks waiting for my [title] shot. I've done everything I was asked, but still no shot. Winky Wright [No. 1 WBC challenger] and Jermain Taylor [WBC and WBO champion] won't fight me. [So Pierre is] coming into my hometown to fight.

"Lenord comes to fight. There is no running or prancing around [by him]. There will be some bombs thrown."

Jack Loew, Pavlik's long-time trainer at the South Side Boxing Club, said that he hopes that this fight against Pierre finally will open some door to a world title fight with someone, somewhere.

"We're ready. Hopefully it can give him a shot at something," said Loew. "We saw the tapes of [Pierre]. He showed a lot of determination. He's definitely a big puncher and goes for the home run ball."

A win means a title shot

Lee Samuels, publicist for Top Rank which has been promoting Pavlik's career, believes that if Pavlik wins, his time will come for a title shot

"We have been looking for a middleweight champion and we think it will be Kelly. We are very pleased with the response so far [here in Youngstown]. It has been fantastic," said Samuels, noting that Bob Arum, the founder of Top Rank in 1966, was in New York Tuesday drumming up interest in the fight with the national media.

"[Kelly] is loved by the press in Las Vegas. Kelly will get a chance at the title. We are that close. He has to get past Pierre and then he will be on his way."

Samuels also emphasized that, "Kelly is an important part of Top Rank," which looks for young fighters with the potential to become champions, and then develops and promotes them.

Samuels said he is hoping for a sellout at the Chevrolet Centre.

"We haven't given away a single ticket. Top Rank doesn't give away tickets. We have sold 3,145 tickets [as of Tuesday]. We expect to sell more. It seats 5,700. It should come close to a sellout," said Samuels, who is hoping for a big at-the-gate purchase of tickets.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the first bout will begin at 8:15.

Strategy against Pavlik

Kevin Rooney, Pierre's trainer since Lenord was 11 after he immigrated to the U.S. from Haiti, said that his fighter will have a big height and reach disadvantage and will have to solve Pavlik's counter-punches.

"Kelly is a slick fighter, a counter puncher. He stands right in front of you. We have been working on being elusive. He waits for a mistake and then he is all over you," said Rooney, who was a prominent professional fighter himself and lost to Alexis Arguello in 1982 after compiling a 19-1 record. Arguello won three world championships.

"We're coming into a winning situation. It is a mutual opportunity for both fighters," said Rooney.

kovach@vindy.com

Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik can be likened to an explorer in search of the promised land. The undefeated boxer from...

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