AREA BOXING Seven bout professional card set at Expo Center
Two Valley fighters will be on the card June 24.
By SAL MARINO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES -- Big time boxing will return to the area on June 24 at the Eastwood Expo Center.
The seven-bout professional boxing card will feature two Valley boxers.
"We are calling it baseball and boxing," said matchmaker Gregg Augustine. "If you attend a Scrappers game on that date, all you have to do is show your ticket stub, and receive a $20.00 general admission ticket for $10.00."
Augustine, a former Golden Glove Champion and professional boxer, added, "We hope to bring back boxing to this area like it used to be. The Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania area was a big hot bed for boxing. This will be a great professional show."
Main event: The main event will be an eight round co-feature, with John "Macho Midget" Bailey, a former West Virginia tough man contest champion and now sporting a pro record of 17-7-2.
Bailey, a resident of Calcutta, Ohio, said, "I fought the top 10 in my last fights, including three world champions. I want to come up and make a good showing because I want another title fight."
Bailey is a junior welterweight who fought for the IBC Americas title April 5 at the Mountaineer Race and Gaming Resort in West Virginia against Frank Houghaling with the fight ending in a draw. His opponent has yet to be named.
The other co-featured eight-round bout will have Erie's Lou Bizzaro Jr., a Willie Pepe type of fighter who can box and has excellent speed. The junior welterweight is 13-1 and won a unanimous decision over Anthony "Showtime" Shuler in his last bout at Mountaineer Park. His opponent hasn't been named yet.
Also on the card is Warren's E.T. Whittaker, a fast rising light heavyweight sporting an impressive record of 19-4.
Another local fighter on the card will be James McClendon, a junior welterweight who is 2-1 as a pro and had a fine amateur career.
"We have an excellent undercard," said Augustine. "Coming in from the Western part of Ohio is tough Charlie Howe. Howe is a junior middleweight with a record of 10-3.
"Another good local fighter is Mark Norge [6-6], who can bang out a good fight. Mark is another junior welterweight.
"Also, another junior middleweight is Sam Hawkins, who is up and coming and is 1-0 at the present time."
Tickets: Ticket prices are $30 for ringside and $20 for general admission. Ticket outlets are: Joe's Sports Bar, Youngstown; Vic and Syls, Youngstown-Poland Rd; Krakusy Ballroom, South Avenue; Patsy's Bar, Wilson Avenue; Bobby' Dee's, Midlothian; The Wine Cellar, Meridian; Cordy's Cigar Box, Girard; Knight Line Apparel, Girard; Lou's Beer and Wine, Austintown; Nannicola Wholesale, Warren, and Eastwood Mall offices. Tickets can also be ordered by calling (330) 652-6980.
The card will also include a tribute to Joseph "Blackie" Gennaro, a former Ohio Boxing Commissioner.
The bouts are promoted by Harry Cummins and Double G Productions, in conjunction with Superior Beverage, Radio Center, West Side Bakery, Antones, Jolly Joe's and T and R Pantry Centre.