Kelly Pavlik rocks out to Tilt 360
YOUNGSTOWN – When Valley24.com first launched, our main art was a photograph of now-Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World Kelly Pavlik, Tilt 360 lead singer Bill Smaltz and their trainer, Jack Loew.
"Pavlik & Smaltz: Friends rise together" told their story of growing up together as they trained at Loew’s Southside Boxing Club. Smaltz told Valley24.com last year that he and Pavlik “grew close because both were into music and boxing.”
And fans of Tilt 360 wouldn’t have been surprised to have seen Pavlik at one of Tilt 360’s shows over the past few years. The humble fighter kept a low-profile, generally sitting quietly at the bar and watching the show.
The March 22 show at Cedars Lounge proved no different.
Pavlik stood quietly in the back corner of the bar, approached occasionally by fans. But when Tilt 360 started their set, there was a role reversal as Pavlik stood by the stage, quietly nodding his head to the music and Smaltz’s singing.
That calm demeanor changed when they played the song he and Smaltz collaborated on: “Point Blank.”
Last year, Smaltz told Valley24.com, “Music and boxing intertwine. The sound of the bag, the breathing — it’s all music.”
“Point Blank” has been played as Pavlik walked out before fights, in his highlight reels and on Web sites devoted to him. The song is on the “Point Blank EP” and will also be on the upcoming album, “Day 11.”
When Valley24.com launched, Pavlik told us he liked “Point Blank” and gave Smaltz credit for writing “a good song.” The appreciation was evident as Pavlik moved into the rest of the dancing crowd and — to put it clearly — rocked out.
He sang along with the rest of the Tilt 360 fans at stagefront as they danced, pushed each other around and punched the lyrics out in the air.
As the band finished, Smaltz said, “Let’s hear it for Kelly Pavlik — middlewight boxing champion of the world!” And the crowd at Cedars Lounge was quick to cheer and clap for Pavlik, as he quickly returned to the shier Pavlik most have seen. He waved as he quietly ducked back into the corner of the venue.
Back when this Web site launched, members of Tilt 360 talked about how Pavlik wanted to learn how to play drums. They said, really, he was a musician and a fan of the local music scene.
Pavlik started bobbing his head again, as Smaltz said, “It’s about supporting each other,” and dedicating another song, “In A Room,” song to Pavlik.
Saturday, Tilt 360 and Pavlik proved how music and boxing intertwine.
Comments
I hate to be such a 'Debbie Downer' but as proud as I am of him representing Youngstown and becoming a champ, he needs to get rid of his racial bones. I have heard the word 'ni**er' come out of his mouth more than once. And I don't care how mad you are, if you're truly not racist then that would be the furthest thing to come to your mind. I can't support anything of his monetarily but I will support in city spirit. Cuz like you said, we have to support eachother, not matter what sometimes. Divided we fall!!!
can you give a more detailed account of this claim? In what context did he say it? Did he say "Hey your a fn n---r" or did he say "Hey what's up my n--ga" Your being pretty general in your statements.
is this song anything like the super bowl shuffle?
It was not like a 'hey my n----r' is was meant as a racial slur. And I'm not at liberty to discus this any further because frankly, I'm tired of the whole racial bulls*** and tired of talking, hearing, listening and any other way I am exposed to it. So, hey, case closed, it wasn't me he was talking to so let them deal with it. So, is anyone but me getting fried this weekend, at home of course because I have no friends (by choice, low tolerance for stupidity and everyone I know is just about stupid) and no time to waste gas.
wow dude, i love how people try to push some one down that is successful in their life, all just cause they fought for their dream and made it. who cares... REALLY! who cares if he said a racial slurr? I truly wish everyone would stop trying to be so freaking politically correct all the time and jump on some one who may not be. leave the topic go. that comment you made can really hurt a person. why dont i every hear a complaint about the slur "cr*cker" and i wont mention ALL the others that i have been called. big deal. im not crying about someone calling me names, and i dont think anyone else should be so pre-occupied with it either. btw if you have such a low tolerance for stupidity maybe you should do something about your own.
-with all the pieces of my heart-
yeah, because cracker, honkey, and the like all carry the same weight, connotations and historical baggage as the n-word. thanks for the clinic in "reverse racism," chief.
~with all the chunklets of my brain~
point was its getting a bit thick with all of it, and bothers me with no end. anyway rock on Kelly Y-Town loves you!
I was called a white honky just yesterday by a black man and i thought damn i miss cracker! So can i use the n-word now? Or should i just go around calling all my white friends cracker & honky then be surprised when those words are spoken! I am sick of society pushing everyone to be politically correct! I am a proud to be white! You should be proud of whatever your color or race you are and not let small stupidity effect you!
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