Keffer conquers flu bug to advance to final bout

Miranda Spottleson earned a title rematch with Stephanie Sahli.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- Last week, Boardman's Jeremy Keffer needed just 30 seconds to put away Keystone's Tyrone McKenith for his initial victory in the 19th Annual K.O. Drugs Boxing Tourney.
Thursday, the Spartan junior registered a unanimous decision over Liberty's Chevar Mitchell in semifinal action at the Struthers Field House, improving to 10-0 over the past three K.O. Drugs tourneys.
Keffer advances to the championship bout of the Underclass Division's super welterweight class on Thursday, where he will take on Bryan Chaidez of Chaney.
Chaidez was a winner by unanimous decision over Leo Rouan of Champion.
While Mitchell proved to be a formidable opponent for Keffer, the toughest fight for Keffer this past week came outside the ring where he battled the stomach flu for the better part of a week. He was hospitalized for a four-day stretch prior to the fight and still vomited four times prior to his fight.
"I don't feel like I fought a good fight tonight," the two-time tourney champion said. "I was weak, but had enough strength to pull it out in the end.
"I'm probably going to go amateur after the fight, so I need to be confident in the title fight," Keffer said. "I don't feel like my opponent has the power to contend with me.
"If I can't hold my own in K.O., how can I get it done in the amateurs?" he said.
Another win
In the Female Division, Miranda "Boom Boom" Spottleson of Cardinal Mooney won for the second time as she defeated Victoria Magyar (Canfield) by unanimous decision.
Spottleson advances to the lightweight class title tilt against the reigning K.O. Drugs and Tri-County champion, Stephanie Sahli of Struthers.
Sahli defeated Spottleson in a split decision in the championship bout last year.
"I'm not nervous at all and looking forward to next week's bout," Spottleson said. "She's a senior and I'm a sophomore. I'll be ready."
Sahli, who was in attendance surveying her opponent situation, also is confident about her chances.
"We fought last year and it was a close battle," Sahli said. "I feel like I am ready as I have been training and sparring to prepare for this fight."
Tough bout
In Underclass Division action, Luke Franken ran his record to 2-1 in the middleweight class as he defeated Dave Italiano by unanimous decision.
He next will fight Jerome Sutton of Rayen, a winner by unanimous decision over Josh Raybuck of East Liverpool, on June 2 in the title fight.
"Dave [Italiano] and I are great friends," Franken said. "We are members of the same gym, the South Side Boxing Club with Jack Loew as our trainer.
"This was a tiring fight," Franken said. "He's a tough competitor and I just gave it all that I had. As for next week's fight, I'll just continue to train hard, go to the gym and spar and hope to improve. I will give it my all. That is all that I can do."
The Upperclass Division title tilts, along with some action from the Female Division will take place on Thursday while the Underclass Division championship bouts are slated for June 2.
All action takes place at the Struthers Field House beginning at 7 each night.