NILES Lou Bizzarro Jr. in first TV fight at the Bud Dome
The product of a 50-year boxing family will bring a 16-1-0 record into the May 11 show.
NILES -- For fight fans that have followed the fight game for years, they are well aware of the name Bizzarro.
For over 50 years the Bizzarro family has been represented in the ring by a family member fighting for pay.
The name continues and focuses on Lou Jr., a junior welterweight who will fight the co-main event on May 11 on national television at the Bud Dome, located next to the Eastwood Mall in Niles.
The eight-bout card, put on by Power Pac Productions, is called "Showdown on Showtime."
The co-main event and the main event will start at 5 p.m., although the first fight starts at 3 p.m., with the doors opening at 2 p.m.
Juan Guzman will fight the main event.
"This is the first time I will be fighting on television," said Lou Jr., who is 16-1-0.
"I am really excited about it, and it will be a good experience for me, along with a lot of exposure. I am training hard and I hope it is a stepping stone in my career."
Opponent not named
Although his opponent hasn't been named, Bizzarro said, "If I am successful I would like to fight for a minor title. Then again, if I am successful I want to go for a bigger title. My dad, Lou Bizzarro Sr., and my uncle, John Bizzarro Sr. [deceased], both fought for world titles. I would like to follow their footsteps."
The Bizzarros are not strangers to boxing in this area. Lou Sr., John Sr., Angelo, John, Lou Jr. and Lou's son, John, all fought here before.
"I want to fight someone with equal skills," said Lou Jr. "I want to fight someone who can make me show my skills. I train hard every day and I do my road work religiously and I rest well. I am very serious about the fight game.
"I want to impress the people in the Niles-Youngstown area because I have many friends there and they always make me welcome," he added. "The people of that area treat me well."
Encouraged by father
A veteran of many professional battles, Lou Sr. said, "Just to make sure Lou Jr. feels at ease fighting in this area, I tell him about the times our relatives fought there. I tell him he will be fighting in a boxing area that has a strong boxing connection and we always received a warm welcome."
The only blemish on Lou Jr.'s record is a one-round loss to Scott DePompa of New York.
"I dropped him in the eighth round, but I thought I should have been given the decision," said Lou Jr. "But I came back strong and I am now awaiting the fight on May 11th."
Guzman is the holder of the NABO Latino Title and the WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight title. He also won the 1995 Pan-Am Games Gold Medal.
Guzman is also ranked 28th in the WBC.
Guzman is an excellent fighter and is trained by Hector Rocha. Guzman is called "Little Tyson," and hails from Santo Domingo, Dominion Republic.
"From what we know of him right now, he is a very tough fighter," said matchmaker Gregg Augustine. "Showtime-Show Box will name his opponent, but with a 17-0-0 record and 14 knockouts, he has to have plenty of talent to share a top-billed television spot."
Ernie Bizzarro, too
Along with Lou Bizzarro and his cousin Ernie Bizzarro (1-0-0), returning are Bob Reber (1-0-0), who made an excellent showing at the Packard Music Hall in his pro debut in March.
Two Canadians are also marked for action in Rico Tann, a junior middleweight with an impressive record of 4-0-2.
The other is cruiserweight Jessie Concilas (7-0-1, 5 KOs).
Returning for his third trip to the area is Danny Maldonado (8-0-0, 6 KOs) of Kentucky and Robert "Pushup" Frazier of New York, who fought Ken Sigurani and Robert West from our area. Frazier is 24-2-2, ranked 10th by the IBF as a junior middleweight.
Tom Sharp, the facility manager of the Bud Dome, and Dominic Baragona of Baragona Productions both feel the success of this boxing card will open the door to big outdoor shows in the future.
Last two shows
Power Pac Productions' last two shows drew 1,700 fans in November to watch Kelly Pavlik headline a card in Youngstown. Just this past March in Warren, 700 showed up to see John "Macho Midget" Bailey headline a show.
Tickets for the May 11 fight are: $50 ringside VIP, $30 ringside and $20 general admission.
Ticket outlets are: Eastwood Mall offices, Cordy's Cigar Box, Riordan's Sports Equipment, Bob's Barber Shop, Clemens Wine Cellar, Royal Oaks, Nannicola Inc., Buena Vista and 1 Stop Shop.