by David P. Greisman

Former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator.

Police responded early Monday morning to a report of a potentially impaired driver on the Ohio Turnpike.

“A trooper spotted Pavlik’s car at the gate trying to exit the turnpike, but Pavlik did not have a pass or ticket on him to exit the toll road,” said the newspaper report, citing police. “As the trooper questioned Pavlik, he showed signs that he was impaired.”

Pavlik refused a breath test but “was still cited because the trooper had probable cause to believe Pavlik was drunk.”

That was 12:25 a.m. At 2:04 a.m. on Monday, Pavlik posted this on his Facebook page:

“f*** i got got again lol”

Later that day, at 5:17 p.m., he added this:

“so we in society can say u can't drink and drive, but you can sell a 24 pack and have beers places, gas stations and everywhere else that sell beer yet if u get pulled over for 2 beers in your system ur f***ed, should we not do the same for a 400 pound women or man that eats cheese burgers and french fries and orders a diet coke, and drive knowing he has high blood pressure and cholesterol”

Pavlik was already facing minor criminal charges for allegedly refusing to pay a taxi driver $25 after a ride home from an Ohio bar in September. A hearing in that case had been scheduled for Dec. 6 but has been postponed to Jan. 31, the newspaper reported.

In December 2011, Pavlik was accused of driving under the influence after allegedly crashing an all-terrain vehicle into a lamp post and telephone pole, according to past reports on this site.

“He pleaded guilty in April 2012 … to a reduced charge of failure to control,” the Vindicator reported. “He has attended a treatment program.”

The 31-year-old retired earlier this 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.

Pick up a copy of David’s new book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com