Loew brewing more boxing talent at Southside

By Joe Scalzo

Chris Hazimihalis and Wesley Triplett will fight in the National Golden Gloves.

YOUNGSTOWN — When Chris Hazimihalis was 2, the only way his mother could get him to sit still was to let him watch “Rocky IV.”

“She taught me how to use the rewind and fast forward button,” Hazimihalis, now 22, said. “I’d watch it four or five times a day. I watched it easily over 1,000 times.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve loved boxing.”

But boxing, naturally, would have to wait. Hazimihalis took up soccer at age 5, which helped him develop good footwork and served as a release for his energy, and he kept playing through high school. But after starting on the varsity team as a freshman and a sophomore, Campbell High School dropped its team.

So, about six years ago, he turned to boxing and the Southside Boxing Club, where he met trainer Jack Loew and found his new athletic home.

“I took it serious since I started,” said Hazimihalis, a 2003 graduate of Campbell. “I didn’t want to do it and not be good at it.

“My first fight, I had never stepped into the ring but ... I whupped the kid. I kept on going after that.”

Hazimihalis (24-6) is now one of Loew’s most talented young fighters. He recently won a 141-pound title at the Cleveland Golden Gloves and will join super heavyweight Wesley Triplett in representing the gym at next week’s National Golden Gloves Championships in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Chris has developed into one of our finer young amateurs,” said Loew, the trainer for middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. “He doesn’t have a lot of fights because he has to work in the summer, but talent-wise, he’s got a lot of ability.

“I think he’ll do real well in the nationals.”

Triplett (5-1) grew up watching reruns of old Muhammad Ali fights and was a fan of the sport but didn’t begin boxing until recently. At 6-61‚Ñ2, he was a natural for basketball, which he played at Rayen until graduating in 2004.

“I just really like fighting,” he said. “I tried it out and realized it’s something I want to do.”

He joined Southside less than two years ago and has risen quickly through the amateur ranks due to his large frame and natural athletic ability.

“He’s a got a lot of raw talent, especially with his size” said Loew. “I think he’s got an uphill battle at nationals because of his lack of experience, but they both have a pretty good chance.”

The single-elimination tournament begins Monday and continues through Saturday with a five-fight maximum. Hazimihalis nearly reached nationals last year but fell to nationally-ranked Miguel Gonzalez in the championship round of the Cleveland Golden Gloves. Gonzalez is now an Olympic alternate.

“He lost on the scorecards but I thought he won the fight,” said Loew. “He dropped him in the fourth round. That’s how good Chris is. From last year to this year, he definitely got better.”

Hazimihalis ultimately wants to turn pro, but he’s in no rush. He knows he needs more seasoning.

“I want to take my time,” he said. “I’m ready for next week. I want show everyone in the nation what kind of fighter I am.”

Triplett doesn’t have the same work ethic as Hazimihalis but Loew is hoping his recent success, combined with some national exposure, will help motivate him.

“Once he realizes what he can get out of this sport and realizes what’s out there for him, maybe he’ll get it in his head and do a little running for me,” said Loew.

Triplett, for his part, knows he’s got a big challenge ahead.

“I believe this tournament is going to be a lot harder than the last one,” he said. “I need more training. I’ve got to do more running and train harder.”

scalzo@vindy.com