BOXING Bailey has bout slated at Packard

Wilson High student Dominic Leonelli will fight in an exhibition on Saturday.
By SAL MARINO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- If John "Macho Midget" Bailey seems frustrated with boxing, it isn't against the fight game as a whole, but he wants a title fight and feels he has paid his dues.
Bailey will be fighting in the main event Saturday night against Dean "The Destroyer" Nichols of Lima, Ohio, in an eight-round bout at Packard Music Hall.
First in series: The card, dubbed "Bad Blood" and "The St. Patrick's Day Brawl," is the first in a series, including a national television bout in April, for Power Pac Productions.
Bailey has fought in this area several times. He was in England for his last bout, against WBU champion Ricky Hatton, where Bailey suffered cracked ribs. He has also fought Billy "The Kid" Irwin, a top-ranked contender.
"I never dodged anybody," said Bailey. "I fought world champions, number one contenders and several world champions. I paid my dues for a title shot."
Bailey, a West Virginia state high school wrestling champion at Oak Glen High, also has been a sparring partner for Paul Spadafora and worked with Lou and Johnny Bizzarro.
"I don't turn down opponents, because you can't get to the top if you do," said Bailey. "I fight what is ahead of me, and always give my best. I lost some tough decisions, but that is part of the fight game.
Promise: "What else do I have to prove?" said Bailey. "Put a title bout in front of me. I will be there, believe me; I will be there and the fight fans will not be disappointed."
The undercard will feature several bouts, including Johnny Bizzarro against Randy Dodd in a four-round junior welterweight fight.
Warren's P.C. Torres will meet J.C. Coon of Huntington, W.Va., in the latter's pro debut, in a four-round junior welterweight fight.
Bob Reber of Youngstown will meet Casey Leathers of Toledo in a super-middleweight bout, also a four-rounder.
In a six-round middleweight fight, Mark Norge (10-6) of New Castle will fight Randy Hanshoe (10-10), and Charlie Howe (13-3) will battle Brian Thatcher in an eight-round bout.
Wilson High student Dominic Leonelli will fight Brian Hewlin of Toledo in an exhibition.
Among the special guests Saturday night will be former ranked heavyweight contender Randy Stephens.
Tickets: The first fight is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for $20 and $10 and can be purchased at Bob's Barber Shop, Down Town Sports, Clemens Wine Center, Bobby D's and Cumulus Radio in Youngstown; Riordan's Sports in Hubbard; Cordy's Cigar Box in Girard; and Buena Vista Cafe, the Warren Boxing Association, Pizza Hut, Nannicola Wholesale, Packard Music Hall and Borgen Sports in Warren.
For more information, call (330) 792-6976 or (330) 792-6822.