The allergic reaction caused Pavlik's temperature to reach 104 degrees, prompting the 27-year-old boxer to check into the hospital. A specialist at the Cleveland Clinic (which I assume is in Cleveland) informed Pavlik's father, Mike, that the situation was looking pretty grim.

Pavlik says he doesn't remember everything that happened last month, only bits and pieces.

He recalls a doctor telling him that he wasn't going home right away, and that every step he took toward the emergency ward was more difficult than the last. He remembers his skin crawling, his heart feeling like it would jump right out of his chest.

He doesn't remember the steroids doctors gave him to make the reaction subside.

"I don't remember that day, that's how bad it was," Pavlik told The Associated Press. "They told me it was pretty serious. It was the worst form of reaction you could have."

The staph infection, although cleared up, has prompted Pavlik's trainer, Jack Hoew, to cancel Pavlik's December 5th bout against Paul Williams. The fight had already been pushed back, amid contentious negotiations between the two fighters' camps.

Pavlik first noticed something wrong while playing basketball last March, a few weeks after he defeated Marco Antonio Rubio in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.

He was playing basketball on a warm March day when the knuckle split open. After a few minutes, Pavlik looked down to see a colorless ooze where there should have been blood, and a trip to the doctor confirmed the bacteria.

A month went by and antibiotics weren't doing their job, so Pavlik had surgery in Youngstown to clean out the infection. When the stitches were removed, the hole was still there. Further tests revealed MRSA, a sometimes fatal strain of staph that resists broad-spectrum antibiotics.

"I was ready to say right there, chop the hand off," Pavlik said.

Man, that doesn't sound like a very good situation. This recent development involving Pavlik certainly begs the question: what is going on with Cleveland and all of these high profile staph infections? Many of you may recall how six players for the Cleveland Browns have been treated for staph infections since 2003, including Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius, who subsequently sued the Browns organization because of it.

What gives? Is there anybody out there who can shed some light on this perplexing issue?

Pavlik says he nearly died from allergic reaction [Yahoo!]
Another Staph Infection? [Waiting For Next Year]
Joe Jurevicius staph-infection lawsuit highlights growing legal threat to non-health-care facilities [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
(Previously on Deadspin) Okay, Perhaps Kellen Winslow Is A Soldier

Cotto had a relatively easy night fighting against England's Michael Jennings in the first of Top Rank's co-featured bouts. The Puerto Rican star looked comfortable in his first fight since being crushed by Antonio Margarito (with or without illegal help), and he quickly dispatched of his opponent in the fifth round. Jennings went down on multiple occasions, with most of the damage coming from Cotto's lethal left hand. Many observers believe Cotto could now opt for a rematch with Sugar Shane Mosley, but in a crowded welterweight division plenty of other options exist.

While Kelly Pavlik shared top billing on the pay-per-view card he had the house all to himself in Youngstown, Ohio. The beloved native son battered a Marco Antonio Rubio for most of the night before the listless contender quit on his stool after the ninth round. The middleweight champ looked no worse for the wear in his first action since stepping up to fight a superior Bernard Hopkins, and could possibly go on to fight the immensely popular John Duddy. The undefeated Irishman starred on the New York portion of the undercard with a convincing win over tough Matt Vanda. Duddy has developed a huge following in the northeast following since moving to New York, making him an attractive opponent for Pavlik.

Image via ESPN

As you may be aware, Pavlik is something of an inspiration to the downtrodden denizens of Youngstown, Ohio. Oh...and he's white! Yes, the fearless young middleweight with the fists of lead makes a great story, and anytime boxing gets positive coverage from the mainstream media it's a good thing. But for the love of God people, you need to stop comparing him to Rocky fucking Balboa. Pavlik is certainly a great young champion whose time has come, but his opponent tonight is also somewhat of a heroic figure, and he's actually a Philadelphian!

Hopkins doesn't have the fighting style that endears him to the casual fan, yet the 43 year-old future hall of famer has been a hugely popular figure, especially in his hometown. Hopkins got into a life of crime from an early age, eventually landing in prison for five years as a young adult. However it was there that he discovered a passion for boxing, one that would carry him to heights he never could have imagined, inspiring young men all over the country during his rise.

The Executioner has lost three of his last five fights, all by decision, but he hasn't been decisively defeated since his first major title fight against Roy Jones Jr. in 1993. He's still never been knocked out, in fact he's only been knocked down by one man in his career (Segundo Mercado in 1994 in a fight that would eventually end in a draw in Ecuador).

Nobody doubts that Pavlik is the big favorite, so the real question is whether Hopkins can use his unparalleled defensive tactics to stay on his feet and keep things close against a dangerous young puncher.

What you missed while making the jump into academia...

• MLB: The Padres become the first team in Major League history to win four consecutive games by a 2-1 score. How delightfully random.
  
• Boxing: "The Ghost" with the most, Kelly Pavlik, scores a third-round knockout over Gary Lockett. Better wash off that ectoplasm, Gary! HEY-O!
  
• New Coaches: Suns to hire Terry Porter, Maple Leafs to hire Ron Wilson. Should've gone with the monkey god.