PREP BOXING Koval bout vs. Cousins tops card

Two heavyweight champions from last year will clash tonight.
LIBERTY -- There are 44 bouts on tap tonight in the second session of the 14th annual KO Drugs High School Boxing Tournament at the old Liberty High School gymnasium that will begin at 7 p.m.
The headliner will match last year's heavyweight champions of the upper-class and underclass divisions, as Austintown Fitch's Chris Koval takes on Tylon Cousins from Farrell in an upperclass match-up that is the final bout of the schedule.
Koval, fighting in his fourth KO Drugs tournament, won the upperclass (for juniors and seniors) last year, while Cousins took the underclass (freshman and sophomores).
Both boxers are outstanding performers in their school's football programs.
Of tonight's 44 bouts, 22 each are carded in each of the two age-class divisions.
Another highlight: Another upperclass heavyweight bout is slated as Josh Hanson from Warren JFK, who lost to Koval in last year's final, challenges Jeff Myers from Sharpsville.
Last week, Hanson stopped his opponent in 25 seconds of round one.
A pair of Struthers junior middleweights, Dan Burnich and Dave Rapone, are billed in another upperclass bout to avoid elimination. Both are hoping to bounce back from tough losses last week.
Greg Simcox from Poland High, another champion from last year, will be in a light heavyweight fight with Ron Renwick from Greenville. Simcox, who is a soccer standout for Poland, won a cruiserweight crown last year.
More features: Two highlights are carded in the underclass division. Anthony Jannone from Canfield will oppose Richard Wolfe of Chaney in a featherweight clash, while Ray Furbee from Champion faces Jason Wright from Keystone in a junior welterweight collision.
Tickets are priced at $5 tickets for students and $10 for adults and are available at the gate.
After tonight, three more Wednesday sessions will be on tap for the tournament.
For more information, call Pat Nelson, the promoter and matchmaker, at (330) 746-2780.