WARREN Punchout at Packard features Jones, Asipeli

Guillermo Jones has a six-inch height advantage on Sione Asipeli.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- Today's boxing show -- "The Punchout at Packard" -- features a 10-round cruiserweight main event between Guillermo Jones and Sione Asipeli.
The fight at Packard Music Hall will air on Showtime premium cable channel, with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. Niles native Sterling McPherson is the promoter.
"With two guys like Jones and Asipeli in the ring, no hype is needed because it is the kind of fight that real boxing fans dream about," McPherson said. "That is why I brought it here where the best boxing fans are."
Tale of the tape
Jones, from Panama City, is fighting out of New York City and has a 28-2-1 record, stopping 23 opponents. Asipeli, from Tonga, is fighting out of Phoenix and is 17-4-2, stopping eight opponents.
At Thursday's press conference at McMenamy's, the 6-4 Jones, who has a 6-inch height advantage over Asipeli, quietly introduced himself by saying, "You are speaking to the future world champion of the cruiserweights."
Jones said, "My jab is my best weapon and it will be used a lot Saturday."
His manager, Panama Lewis, said, "This bout is very important to us because it is the kind of fight we like to have. Asipeli is someone who comes to fight and this will bring some excitement to the cruiserweight division."
Asipeli, who lost his last bout to James Toney, said, "I only had two weeks notice for the Toney fight, but I am more than ready now and I will be coming at Jones every round."
Showtime's telecast will begin at 5 p.m. with an eight-round lightweight fight between Almazbek Raiymkulov (9-0, five KOs) and Douglas Villareal (27-9-1, 26 KOs).
There will be three four-round bouts to open the card at 3:45 p.m. Doors will open at 3 p.m.
Others
In a battle of 150-pounders, Youngstown's Jermaine Donlow (1-5) will fight Kili Madrich (2-0, one KO) from Maui. In a super-middleweight fight, Brian Donlow (0-2) will fight Cleveland's Romero Johnson in his pro debut.
The third undercard bout has heavyweight Matt Urbas from Mentor against William Bigelow from Cleveland.
Following the main bouts, boxers from Pat Nelson's recent KO Drugs Tournament will fight. Justin Wess from Hubbard will take on Carmen Cimino from Boardman in a bantamweight bout. Dan Ramun from Poland will battle Mike Sackela from Austintown Fitch in a 130-pound bout.
McPherson said five Cleveland Browns will attend the fight and attend a post-game party at McMenamy's: tight ends Mark Campbell and Aaron Shea, defensive end Gerard Warren, running back Jamel White and wide receiver Quincy Morgan.
Also on hand will be former Browns linebacker Eddie Johnson and wide receiver Reggie Langhorne.
Tickets cost $50 for ringside and $30 for reserved and general admission.