Koval set for tough challenge

The Austintown heavyweight will help highlight an eight-fight card.
WHEELING, W.Va. -- Pat Nelson will have several of his boxers in action within the next five days, with two of them on the same card here Friday night at the Wheeling Downs Casino and Dog Track.
Heavyweights Brian Minto and Chris Koval will be in co-feature bouts as part of an eight-fight card.
Koval (15-1, 13 knockouts), of Austintown, will be in a six-round bout with Travis Fulton (7-4, 6 knockouts) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"Fulton just might be the hardest puncher Koval has faced as a professional," said Nelson.
The bout is being labeled a West Virginia heavyweight championship elimination match, with the winner fighting the winner of the 10-round main event, which is Minto (13-0, 8 knockouts), from Butler, Pa., facing Jeremy Bates (18-7, 15 knockouts), from Ashland, Ky.
So the possibility exists that Nelson could have two of his fighters battling for a title.
When asked what corner would he be in, Nelson replied, "I would be seated with the crowd enjoying the fight and rooting for nobody because whoever wins will be a state champion."
Warren's Etianne "E.T." Whitaker, a recent winner by way of a second round knockout at Mountaineer Park, will be in an eight-round light heavyweight main event in Baltimore Apr. 27.
Whitaker (30-12-2, 19 knockouts) will be in the ring with Sam Reese (14-10, 4 knockouts) of Newport News, Va., in the main event of a six-bout card promoted by Felix Daloiso for Charm City Boxing of Baltimore.
Reese's last fight was a split decision victory Jan. 2nd in Dover, Del., over Toledo super middleweight Dallas Vargas.
That is the only loss in 17 pro fights for Vargas, who also is managed by Nelson.