Ursuline's Pegues retains title

He won his second straight super middleweight crown over Derek Hedrick.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS - Ursuline High's Bryan Pegues has overcome some major odds during a stellar, albeit brief, boxing career.
At Thursday's K.O. Drugs boxing tournament at the Struthers Fieldhouse, Pegues posted a unanimous decision over his good friend Derek Hedrick of East Liverpool, successfully defending his super middleweight crown while coming full circle from what has been a painful, herniated disc injury that he suffered while a member of last year's Fighting Irish football squad.
The ultimate reward for his efforts, however, was to be named the Upperclass Division's "Most Promising Boxer" by the tournament committee.
"Derek is my friend and he's an excellent fighter," said Pegues. "He was, without question, my toughest opponent over the past two years.
"He [Hedrick] really hit me with his jabs tonight, but in the second round I was able to back him into the corner and hook him in the jaw," said Pegues. "It was only fitting that my last fight would be my hardest."
Pegues ended his K.O. Drugs boxing career with an unblemished 9-0 mark, two Upperclass Division super middleweight crowns and a Tri-County title.
Manno wins third straight
In other action, Girard's Chris Manno won for the third straight time as he defeated Liberty's Cordero Edwards in a controversial split decision to capture the super lightweight crown in his first and only year of competition.
Arguably the feel-good story of the tourney, Manno and family were transplanted to Girard from his native St. Bernard Parish, La. last summer due to Hurricane Katrina.
The "Pelican State Pummeler" said his win was very special because his dad Nick, who was unable to see his first two tournament wins, was in attendance to see his victory and title.
"It's been a tough adjustment for both me and my family. It's a totally different way of life; something that I will remember, however, for quite some time," Manno said.
"This was a tough fight for me. I knew that I would have to be more aggressive. We fought earlier in the tourney and I knew what to expect from him.
"With my father and many other relatives in the audience, I didn't want to let them down. That's why this belt means so much to me," said Manno
Keffer claims second title
Boardman's Jeremy Keffer moved to 4-0 after registering a split decision over Bryan Chaidez of Chaney, capturing the super welterweight crown; his second title in two years.
Last year he won the Underclass Division's super middleweight title and is 11-0 in the K.O. Drugs.
"I feel like I only fought at about 70 percent, but I wasn't as sick today with the stomach flu as I was a week ago," he said.
"Chaidez is an excellent fighter with a strong right hook. He might have been the better fighter, but I cannot stand to lose and that is where heart comes in to play."
Copanic wins female title
In the Female Division, Lynne Copanic of Struthers registered a split decision over Sara Fusco of Keystone to capture the featherweight title.
"This is my first year of boxing and it is much more work than I ever envisioned," said Copanic. "We fought in the first round of the tourney so I kind of knew what to expect.
"I have been training with my older brother Chad, my parents, Chet and Marianne Copanic and the Burnside Brothers, Keith and Bob. They made sure that I was prepared for my fight."
Action continues tonight with 23 bouts on tap; nine in the Female Division and 14 in the Underclass Division. The fights get underway at 7 p.m. at the Struthers Fieldhouse.