by David P. Greisman

Former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is facing one misdemeanor count of petty theft after allegedly refusing to pay a taxi driver for a ride home this morning from an Ohio bar, according to television station WKBN.

The price of the fare? $25.

“Pavlik exited the cab, cursed at the driver and said, ‘I’m not paying. You go [expletive] yourself.’ ” the article said. “Pavlik then went into his home and the driver called police. The driver told investigators he recognized Pavlik from seeing him on TV and from posters around Youngstown.”

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.

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