When Pavlik wore a "Defend Youngstown" T-shirt in a documentary that aired on SportsTime Ohio, the T began selling in Cleveland. Then Midwest chic went viral after the shirt popped up in the pre-fight profile before his January 2007 HBO debut. Since then, stories in Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have all advanced the legend: Pavlik personally defends Youngstown, sledgehammer in hand, city on his shoulders, carrying it to a brighter future.
I wear a "Defend Youngstown" T-shirt around Longmont, CO. The iconography is a catalyst for conversations about the revitalization of the Postindustrial Heartland. I'm not just Erie proud or Pittsburgh proud. I'm Rust Belt proud.
I appreciate the urban jingoism among Detroit expatriates or Cincinnati aficionados. But defending Youngstown should be of mega-regional interest. A remarkable renaissance in the Mahoning Valley would give the rest of the world cause to reconsider their perception of the Rust Belt. And Kelly Pavlik is leading the way.
Thanks, Jim. Defend Youngstown!
ReplyDeletePhil Kidd
P.S. Just a remider to your readers that if you'd like to see Kelly in action, his next fight will Oct. 18th 9pm (HBO Pay-Per-View) against former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins live from Atlantic City. Should be a great one. Also, if you live in the Cleveburgh region and would like to take in an authentic Youngstown/Pavlik fight night experience, come to The Royal Oaks (oldest bar in all of Youngstonw). Defend Youngstown will be purchasing Pabst Blue Ribbon for all patrons from 9pm-12am.