K.O. Drugs tourney has record number entries

By Greg Gulas

In upperclass action, 10 fighters return to vie for titles in their weight classes.

YOUNGSTOWN — The K.O. Drugs high school boxing tournament takes to the ring for its 20th season Wednesday with 38 bouts slated at the I.T.A.M Banquet Center in Youngstown.

A record 151 entries representing more than 40 high schools hailing from four area counties will take part in this year’s month-long event with the girls division finals scheduled for May 28, and the boys championships on May 30.

“We’ve had our largest turnout ever and that is truly exciting,” tournament director Chuck Nelson said. “There’s no question that part of the attraction for this year’s contestants is the success that Kelly Pavlik has enjoyed.

“Kelly has created a buzz locally and that can clearly be seen in the record amount of entries for this year’s event.”

The tournament is open to all boys and girls in grades 9-12 with the only prerequisite that you have no prior amateur boxing experience, Nelson said.

“This tournament is for true beginners only,” he said.

A total of 11 hopefuls from Austintown Fitch will be fighting this Wednesday night while five Girard Indians, and four each from Campbell Memorial and Canfield will hope to advance to the second-round winner’s bracket.

There are 20 underclass division (grades 9 and 10) bouts and 18 upperclass (grades 11 and 12) scuffles with girls action set to debut May 28.

One noteworthy name on the underclass card is that of Frank Arroyo, son of former world IBF lightweight champion and local boxing hero, Harry Arroyo.

A Western Reserve High product, Arroyo will take on Nate Parillo of Girard in the second of two junior welterweight clashes.

The other junior welterweight battle finds Chaney’s Alex Sanchez going up against Sharon’s Sergio Cabrera, the latter one of eight fighters on the night hailing from the Keystone State.

In upperclass action, no fewer than 10 fighters will return this year to challenge for the title in their respective weight classes.

Two-time champion Donny Zarbaugh of Boardman returns, looking to capture this year’s welterweight crown while Eric Ocheltree of Mathews is back to defend his heavyweight title of a year ago.

Two underclass champions from 2006 are also back in the fold.

Andrew Fricker of Girard (junior middleweight) and Sam Valiquette of Struthers (heavyweight) return with the hopes of adding an upperclass belt to their respective trophy cases.

Other returning upperclass title hopefuls include Shane Middendorf of Sharpsville and Jordon Johnson of Fitch, both super featherweights; Julius Thomas (Chaney) and Kerstin Smith (home school), both welterweights; super middleweights Josh Kroesen (Life Skills) and Mike Bender (Brookfield); last year’s light heavyweight champion Andrew Irwin of Niles, who is set to defend his crown in the same weight class and light heavyweight Ryan Simpson (Fitch).

“There’s a wealth of talent and experience in this year’s upperclass division. There are 13 titlists or runners-up coming back for a shot at a championship belt in their respective weight classes,” Nelson added.

Each division has 15 weight classes with 60 hopefuls vying for 30 overall belts.

The double elimination tournament employs a round-robin format with boxers using 18 ounce gloves and extra-padded headgear.

Bouts are three-rounds in length, 45 seconds each, with a bye scheduled for each boxer during the tourney.