ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (September 30, 2007) — Many thought that all Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs), had was a ghost of a chance when he entered the ring at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, packed with over 10,000 fans, last night to challenge defending middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs), in a fight that was broadcast live on HBO. Apparently that’s all Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik needed as he came back from the brink of defeat after suffering a second-round knockdown to knockout Taylor in the seventh round of their battle of undefeated gladiators..
ZOWIE! DOUBLE ZOWIE!!
Already the early favorite for “Fight of the Year,” Pavlik staked his claim as “Fighter of the Year” as the boxing spotlight shone bright on his hometown of Youngstown, OH for the first time since Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini’s heyday as WBA lightweight champion during the early ’80s. Mancini was at ringside rooting on his heir apparent.
Pavlik, who received a hero’s sendoff with a pep rally from his town before he left for the fight, has invited all of Youngstown to his house tonight for a victory rally. Pavlik is scheduled to arrive home at approximately 6 p.m.
How big was this fight to his community? The General Motors assembly plant in nearby Lordstown, Ohio pulled the night shift of over 5,000 workers so they could watch the fight!!!
Taylor’s trainer, Emanuel Steward, congratulated Pavlik after the fight telling him, “You would have done just as well against Tommy Hearns or Marvin Hagler with the performance you put on tonight.”
Five-division world champion Sugar Ray Leonard called Pavlik’s promoter, Bob Arum, immediately after the fight to congratulate him. “Bob, congratulations to you and to Kelly. Please tell him I thought it was a great performance.”
Pavlik becomes the first undisputed middleweight champion for Arum’s Top Rank since Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Operators are standing by to take your request for interviews. In the meantime, read the early rave reviews from boxing’s knights of the keyboard praising Pavlik’s knockout performance!