K.O. Drugs has 35 bouts tonight

The event is at the halfway point with 15 underclass bouts, 20 in upperclass.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The 20th K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament reaches the halfway point tonight with 35 bouts at the I.T.A.M. Banquet Center.
Fifteen bouts are slated for the underclass division while 19 bouts are slated on the upperclass card. There is also one female division outing scheduled.
Eleven of the bouts (including six in the underclass division) will feature undefeated fighters; winners of the past two weeks of competition who will go head-to-head with the hopes of making it to the finals May 30.
"The action should really heat up this week," said tournament founder Chuck Nelson. "We had over 160 entries at the beginning of the competition and only 40 have been eliminated."
"That leaves 120 fighters vying for the final 60 spots. With 30 titles on the line, I expect everyone to go all out when they enter the ring," he added.
Featured underclass bouts
In underclass action featuring undefeated boxers, Joe Guylitto of Mooney will meet Steve Kostic of Struthers in a junior lightweight bout, while Conner Young, who is home schooled, faces Sergio Cabrera of Canfield in lightweight action.
In the welterweight class, Jason Egner of Boardman will take on Keymonnie Harris of Campbell with Seth Inbodden of Leetonia set to take on Jake Malich of Struthers in middleweight action.
Rounding out the undefeated matchups in the underclass division will be Andrew Irwin of Niles and Brian Torres of Struthers in a light heavyweight contest, while Sam Kilgore of Mathews will meet Campbell's Darian Rivera in cruiserweight action.
One female bout
The lone female bout will pit featherweights Nickie Bashlas of Brookfield and Amber Kalna of Girard.
The upperclass division will feature undefeated lightweights Jordan Johnson of Fitch and Bryandon Rutland of Chaney with welterweights Julius Thomas of Chaney and Scott Pringle of Girard set to do battle.
In middleweight action, Chaney's Brandon Burd will meet John McGarry of Columbiana, while two heavyweight bouts will surely draw some attention at the conclusion of the night.
In the first heavyweight bout, Donny Olson of Fitch will take on Billy Bowden of South Range while the final bout of the night has Luke Burton of Brookfield squaring off against Canfield's Chris Schade.
Action will get underway at 7 p.m. Tickets are 7 for students and 10 for adults.
Further information can be obtained by calling (330) 757-7273 or (330) 727-0932.