Pavlik maintains zeal despite title

Success hasn't gone to Kelly Pavlik's head, and the world middleweight champion insists it won't.

"I'm still the same guy. Nothing's changed," Pavlik said Tuesday from Youngstown, Ohio, where he is training for his rematch against Jermain Taylor on Feb. 16 at the MGM Grand Garden.

Pavlik survived a second-round knockdown and rallied to score a seventh-round knockout of Taylor on Sept. 29 at Atlantic City to take Taylor's WBC, WBO and The Ring belts. When the two meet again, it will be at the catch weight of 166 pounds and Pavlik's titles will not be on the line.

Since becoming champion, Pavlik (32-0, 29 knockouts) has attained celebrity status in Ohio. He takes part in charity events to raise money for kids with cancer. There are also for-profit ventures as entrepreneurs try to cash in on Pavlik's success with autograph shows, memorabilia or endorsements. He has spent time with Ohio State's football team and become friends with Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel.

Despite being pulled in many directions, Pavlik said his training for the Taylor rematch remains his No. 1 priority.

"We've stayed on our schedule," said Pavlik, who says he weighs 170 pounds and insists he'll have no trouble making 166. "The training camp has been going well. I didn't think we could train harder than we did the first time, but we have."

Jack Loew, Pavlik's longtime trainer, said he's pleased with how Pavlik is approaching the rematch.

"Now that he is a world champion, he seems to have raised his performance to another level," Loew said. "Kelly is having his best camp ever."

Pavlik said all his hard work trying to make it to the top has helped motivate him to stay there now that he is a world champion.

"When you think back to everything you did to get there, it's easy to be motivated," Pavlik said. "You want to stay on top."

Pavlik is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. He thought back to a couple of fights he had in Las Vegas during his ascent to the title.

In 2002, he recorded a second-round knockout of hard-punching Robert Dasoyan at Mandalay Bay. In 2005, Pavlik scored a ninth-round technical knockout of Fulgencio Zuniga at the Aladdin to win the vacant NABF middleweight title.

"Dasoyan had a big reputation, and I remember getting a lot of confidence after that fight," Pavlik said. "Zuniga, he throws hundreds of punches. It was a slugfest, and it tested my manhood and my courage. But that was my first belt."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.