Boardman’s Lorimer wins second straight title

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Two years ago, Boardman High’s Chris Lorimer failed to win in his only outing of the K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament.

Last year, he went 4-0 to capture the underclass featherweight title, and by earning a unanimous decision over Steve Kostic of Struthers Wednesday night at the ITAM Banquet Center, he not only won for the eighth consecutive time, but captured this year’s underclass junior lightweight crown and was named his division’s “Most Promising Boxer.”

To say that he was ecstatic might just be an understatement.

“This is a great feeling. [Steve] Kostic was a really tough opponent for me tonight. In fact, he was my toughest opponent this year,” Lorimer said.

“I was glad that I could keep my weight down and repeat as champion. I was seriously thinking of turning amateur after this year, but I think that I will wait another year as I hope to return to the K.O. Drugs next year to defend my title,” he added.

Championship night

Champions in 32 weight classes were determined Wednesday night. In fact, “rematch” might the word most used by many of the contestants.

On the opening night of underclass action earlier this month, Poland’s Ken Sigurani, Jr. scored a split decision win over Campbell’s Mel’Quan Patton, son of former Youngstown State football standout Shawn Patton.

Wednesday night, Patton got even when he scored a unanimous decision over his rival, yet had nothing but good things to say.

“I felt from the outset that I should have been the champion. Kenny’s a good fighter and I hated to fight him once again. I wanted him to be a champion as well,” Patton said.

“I trained hard both prior to and during the tournament, and we both gave it our all. It was a great effort by both of us tonight so win, lose or draw; I really felt that this was a great experience. I plan on coming back again next year to defend my title,” he added.

Niles’ Andrew Irwin needed just 59 seconds of the opening round to wrest the underclass’ light heavyweight title from Curtis Day of the Alpha Academy.

The win pushed Irwin’s record to 4-0 in this year’s competition.

“He [Day] was pretty quick and as soon as he opened up, I hit him with my hook. I knew that if I stayed inside and got him off his feet, I would be all right,” Irwin said.

Spottleson repeats as champ

In the female division, Mooney’s Miranda “Boom Boom” Spottleson scored a split decision win in her rematch with Chaney’s Clenisha Pless. Now 7-1-1 overall in the competition, she was the 2005 runner-up in the lightweight class to Struthers’ Stephanie Sahli, won the lightweight crown last year by defeating Sahli and earned this year’s welterweight title.

The “Most Promising Boxer Award” in the female division, however, was presented to Brookfield’s Nikki Bashlor, the featherweight champ.

In upperclass action, Jordan Johnson of Fitch won his rematch with Chaney’s Bryandon Rutland as he captured the lightweight title, while Boardman’s Nick Schiavoni posted his fourth straight victory to claim the junior middleweight title.

“I was 3-1 last year and runner-up to Chris Lorimer for the underclass featherweight title. I can tell you that it is a better feeling when you get to wear the belt as the champion,” Johnson said.

“I had to get inside on him [Rutland] as he had a huge reach advantage. Kelly Pavlik is my hero so expect me to be back next year to defend my title.”

Schiavoni noted the hard work and training paid off for him as he won for the fourth consecutive time.

“I felt five weeks ago that I could be a champion, but it has taxxxken plenty of time and commitment. He hit me pretty good in the first round and I had to adjust, but it is tough to explain how hard it is with just the two of us in the ring. I can honestly say that I am glad this is over for now,” Schiavoni said.