by David P. Greisman

Kelly Pavlik pleaded guilty earlier this week to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated for an incident dating back to last December, according to the Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator.

Pavlik had turned down a plea deal back in March. A trial had been scheduled for May, but then postponed. This past week was supposed to bring an evidence suppression hearing, but instead Pavlik entered his guilty plea.

The 32-year-old retired last year after a planned fight with Andre Ward was postponed due to Ward suffering an injury in training camp. His last bout was in July 2012, a decision win over Will Rosinsky. That brought his record to 40-2 with 34 knockouts.

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