By Thomas Gerbasi - Last year, while doing a press junket for the David Mamet film Redbelt, Ray Mancini was steered away from talk about the movie business into a discussion about the trade where he first made his name as a world lightweight champion and matinee idol back in the 80’s. In particular, ‘Boom Boom’ was asked about any advice he had given the latest sensation from his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, current middleweight king Kelly Pavlik.
Mancini recalled a banquet in 2007 celebrating the city’s new favorite son and the words he spoke to him and the assembled guests.
“I want to remind you of that contract you signed,” said Mancini to Pavlik, one champion to another. “The people you signed it with are all out here. When you turned pro, that contract simply read, ‘if you back me and support me, I’ll go out there and represent you the best possible way, and I’ll represent you the best way I can.’ Now that you’re the champion, you don’t get to break that contract; only they get to break that contract. So go out there and be an upstanding citizen, be the role model that you’ve been and that you’ll continue to be, and live a righteous life, not only for yourself, but for the people of Youngstown. You now represent this town and you’re the voice of this town.” [Click Here To Read More]
Mancini recalled a banquet in 2007 celebrating the city’s new favorite son and the words he spoke to him and the assembled guests.
“I want to remind you of that contract you signed,” said Mancini to Pavlik, one champion to another. “The people you signed it with are all out here. When you turned pro, that contract simply read, ‘if you back me and support me, I’ll go out there and represent you the best possible way, and I’ll represent you the best way I can.’ Now that you’re the champion, you don’t get to break that contract; only they get to break that contract. So go out there and be an upstanding citizen, be the role model that you’ve been and that you’ll continue to be, and live a righteous life, not only for yourself, but for the people of Youngstown. You now represent this town and you’re the voice of this town.” [Click Here To Read More]
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