Amateur boxing card set tonight

By Greg Gulas

Talented boxers from Ohio and Kentucky are billed at Yankee Lake Ballroom.

BROOKFIELD — Tonight’s “Night of Champions” fight card at the Yankee Lake Ballroom, which will showcase some of the best amateur talent from both Ohio and Kentucky, will also feature middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and his trainer, Jack Loew, in a question and answer session prior to start of the 20-bout affair.

“We feel like this card cannot miss and are really excited because it gives all of the fighters a chance to showcase their talents,” said fight organizer Chuck Nelson. “It’s really an excellent mix of boxers with two female bouts also on tap. All bouts will be very competitive.”

Two co-main events are slated while several fighters on the card already have National Exposure Ratings, Nelson said.

Dana Balash, Channel 21 sports director, and former Sen. Harry Meshel will serve as co-hosts of the pre-fight portion.

“We are looking for an excellent turnout and a great night of exciting boxing action as well,” Nelson added.

In one co-main event, Travis “The Rattlesnake” Hanshaw of Kentucky will meet Johnny “The Irish Pit Bull” Barnett of Cleveland while the other co-main event will feature Youngstown’s Juan Salinas (in his first career main event) as he takes on Charlie “The Puerto Rican Express” Natal of Cleveland in a 160-lb. match.

Another fight to keep an eye on will be a 125-pound battle between Antonio Nieves of Cleveland and Columbus native Antuan Slaughter.

In one female feature, Cassandra Niaves of Cleveland will take on Loren Corey of Kentucky in a 130-pound battle while in other female action, Alicia Defrank of Girard will take on Cleveland’s Carla Torres in a 125-pound tussle.

Pavlik and Loew will both add commentary to the showing of the champion’s recent title fight with Jermain Taylor while other world champions invited and expected to be in attendance include Greg Richardson, Harry Arroyo, Jeff Lampkin, Mike Griffith, Ricky Quirls, Cory Spinks and possibly Buster Douglas.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with the steak dinner scheduled for 6.

Commentary will take place at 7 while the card will begin at approximately 8:30.

Tickets for the dinner, commentary and fights are $75 each; $40 each for just the commentary and fights and $25 each for just the fight portion of the event.

For details, call (724)-699-1725.