Pavlik subdues Rubio

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Hometown hero Kelly Pavlik retained his World Boxing Council middleweight title here Saturday when Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio refused to leave his corner after the ninth round.

Pavlik improved to 35-1 and kept the WBC and lesser-regarded World Boxing Organizagion crowns by defeating mandatory challenger Rubio, who fell to 43-5 with one drawn.

Previously unbeaten Pavlik suffered a humbling defeat last October, losing to aging warrior Bernard Hopkins in a non-title light heavyweight fight.

Pavlik landed several punishing rights to the head of Rubio in the opening round, keeping the challenger off-balance and setting the tone for the fight, which saw toe-to-toe action without any clinching or holding by either man. (AP)