In the swing of things

By Greg Gulas

Donny Zarbaugh began his title defense with win

YOUNGSTOWN — The 20th K.O. Drugs H.S. Boxing Tournament got underway Wednesday with 38 bouts at the ITAM Banquet Center.

In one of the feature bouts of the evening, upperclass welterweight Donny Zarbaugh showed exactly why he is a two-time champion and someone who has advanced to the title bout all three years in which he has competed.

The Boardman senior defeated Chaney’s Dominic Jenkins in a unanimous decision in what was arguably one of the top fights in either division on the night.

“[Dominic] Jenkins is an excellent fighter, but he was throwing wild punches; straight one-two’s at me the entire time. All I had to do was come in straight with my punches and I was able to land them,” Zarbaugh said.

He earned his two championship belts in the underclass division in the lightweight and junior lightweight classes, garnering runner-up laurels in the upperclass division.

Zarbaugh feels like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.

“I definitely feel like I have a lot to live up to in the tournament. I just don’t want to let anyone down this year,” he said.

Canfield junior welterweight Ronnie Hamayel made his first appearance in the tourney a memorable one, turning back Liberty’s Kevin O’Neil in one of just four split decisions.

“It was nice to win, but I feel like I could have done a little bit more. I got tired at the end and that can be directly attributed to my not doing enough running,” Hamayel said.

“If I didn’t get that tired I would have had a definite knockout. To prepare for my next fight, I will do much more running,” he added.

Super featherweight Shane Middendorf of Sharpsville, a runner-up in last year’s event and at the recent Yankee Lake fight card, defeated Joe Bokros of Poland in a unanimous decision but felt both he and his opponent were a little wild in the ring.

“I tried punching straight and hanging in there with him, but we were both a little wild and all over the ring. It was nice to win, but a break next week will do me good,” Middendorf said.

In underclass action, Sergio Cabrera of Sharon, who has been fighting since the seventh grade, looked like a seasoned veteran as he scored a unanimous decision over Alex Sanchez of Chaney in a junior welterweight bout.

“Alex is a strong boxer but seemed a little slow for some reason tonight. I was a bit nervous and while I felt strong all three rounds, I will spend the next two weeks preparing myself with the hopes of getting stronger in the process,” Cabrera said.

Welterweight Jason Egner, a freshman at Boardman who was fighting in his first tournament, took his training serious and the result was a unanimous decision over Justin Balch of Jackson Milton.

“He’s [Balch] a tough fighter but I felt like I fought well tonight as well. I worked hard to prepare for this fight, training two hours or more a day for the past five weeks or so in order to get myself ready. I am honestly looking forward to the remainder of the tournament,” Egner said.

The tournament continues next Wednesday with 40 bouts expected.

Tickets are $7 for students and $11 for adults and can be obtained at the door the night of the event.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the first fight at 7 p.m.