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By David Lee Morgan Jr.
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008
YOUNGSTOWN: Some close to middleweight boxing champion Kelly ''the Ghost'' Pavlik were a bit skeptical of Bernard ''the Executioner'' Hopkins' motive Wednesday.
Pavlik, a Youngstown native, and Hopkins, a future hall of famer from Philadelphia, will battle Oct. 18 in Atlantic City, N.J., at 170 pounds.
At the Chevrolet Centre on Wednesday, in front of more than 500 raucous Pavlik supporters, Hopkins, known for his out-of-the-ring trash talking that routinely infuriates opponents, was subdued, even polite.
Gentlemanly in a sport that, once the gloves are on, isn't that gentlemanly, there was Hopkins praising Pavlik.
''Respect is what it is, and I'm not a guy that's in denial of what Kelly Pavlik has achieved,'' said Hopkins, who is 48-5-1 with 32 knockouts. ''Reporters asked me why I was being nice, and [said] 'This isn't you. Why are you giving Kelly respect?' Well, a good general always respects his enemy. . . . Kelly got the championship the way you're supposed to win it, the right, noncontroversial way in the ring.''
Pavlik, who is 34-0 with 30 knockouts and holder of the WBC, WBO and NABF belts, was just as cordial.
''I like fighting the best fighters in the world,'' he said. ''Bernard is a legendary fighter, and for me to go into our fight and not only beat him but beat him convincingly, that would probably be the biggest accomplishment you could have in your boxing career.''
While the boxers were being cordial, trainers for both sides took off their gloves.
It started with Hopkins' trainer, Nazim Richardson, stroking and patronizing the Youngstown fans, telling them they have a fighter they should be proud of and love. Then, he leveled his haymaker, which got the crowd roaring with boos and jeers.
''It's going to be an explosive matchup,'' Richardson said. ''It's great the support that you have for Kelly. I ask just one thing. Kelly is such an outstanding fighter and such a great young man, carry the support for him even after the fight.''
Richardson was insinuating that Pavlik would be dealt his first loss.
Pavlik's trainer said to remember that the champ had a large Youngstown contingent follow him when he defeated Jermain Taylor for the title in September and again in Las Vegas, when Pavlik won a nontitle rematch.
''We travel all over the country, from Atlantic City to Las Vegas, with huge success, so we owe it to the city of Youngstown to bring not only the press conference here [Wednesday] but a legend like Bernard Hopkins,'' said Jack Loew, drawing huge, sincere applause from the crowd, which had its fair share of Hopkins hecklers.
When the crowd quieted, Loew, a no-holds-barred trainer who is a Youngstown native as well, came with his own flurry.
''It's a no-brainer. Bernard will go down as one of the greatest middleweights and greatest fighters of all time,'' Loew said. ''But there comes that time when every dog has to be put down. His time is over, and we have the best middleweight champ and the best fighter in the world in Kelly Pavlik.''
David Lee Morgan Jr. can be reachedat dlmorgan@thebeaconjournal.com.
YOUNGSTOWN: Some close to middleweight boxing champion Kelly ''the Ghost'' Pavlik were a bit skeptical of Bernard ''the Executioner'' Hopkins' motive Wednesday.
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