Ridge’s Trimble gets first K.O. win

By Greg Gulas

Of the 29 fights in the high school tournament, eight were KOs or TKOs.

YOUNGSTOWN – Anthony Trimble of Mineral Ridge wanted to make his first ever appearance in the 20th Annual K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament a memorable one, so he sought the advice of former tourney champion A.J. Zitello and then trained diligently with his mentor leading up to last night’s ring debut.

His sessions with Zitello must have paid off, for he defeated light heavyweight Justin Carissimo of Ursuline by second-round TKO in upperclass action at the I.T.A.M. Banquet Center on Wednesday.

The win was one of eight early exits by boxers on the night.

“My game plan was not to lose so I just got in the ring and just gave it all that I had. I play football and lift so I know that helped me during my pre-fight training. A.J. really helped me to prepare for tonight, but it’s now up to me to stay focused the rest of the way,” Trimble.

A total of 29 fights highlighted second-round action, including 13 underclass and 16 upperclass battles.

“This is hands down our most competitive tournament to date while the community support is unparalleled. These kids are fighting their hearts out, representing their respective schools in the first-class manner expected of them,” Chuck Nelson, tournament director said.

“With all of last week’s winners coming back next Wednesday, we should have some very interesting bouts. There will be close to 40 bouts on the card with many fighters putting their undefeated marks on the line against other unbeaten fighters,” Nelson added.

In another upperclass feature, Josh Kroesen of Life Skills avenged last week’s defeat to J.J. Diefender of Keystone by scoring a unanimous decision over Girard’s Christian Riley.

“I was really sick last week, suffering from a headache and upset stomach but that is no excuse. Last week was a fluke, but tonight I felt like I was in control during the entire fight,” Kroesen stated.

“I made it a point to run a lot this past week, including doing quite a few sprints. I felt like I struggled last week because I was under the weather, but tonight I didn’t need to catch my breath at all,” he added.

In underclass action, flyweight Jaleel Lewis, a seventh-grader at Hayes Middle School, relied on former boxing champ Harry Arroyo to help even his record a 1-1 in the tournament after he scored a unanimous decision over his good friend, Jarrid Lopez of East.

“I sparred last week with Harry [Arroyo] and just copied what he did in the ring. Last week, I wasn’t ducking and got pulled into his fight instead of fighting my own fight. I wasn’t concentrating,” Lewis said.

“Tonight, Jarrid [Lopez] was throwing wild punches and I was just fortunate to land a couple of rights, a few jabs and a few more hooks. He’s not only a good friend, but an outstanding fighter as well,” he added.

Girard’s Stephen Williams was also able to avenge last week’s loss to Rodney Sanders of Boardman, scoring a unanimous decision over the Spartans’ Jaime McCutcheon in an underclass middleweight bout.

“I didn’t pressure my opponent [Rodney Sanders] last week, but made sure to keep the pressure on [Jaime] McCutcheon tonight. I’m just happy to get a win in the tournament,” Williams said.

“I have to give all of the credit to my trainers Sammy Calderon and Keith Burnside. They worked with me all week and made sure that I didn’t slip up tonight. My goal is to eventually turn amateur so I feel like I must do well the remainder of the tournament,” Williams stated.

Third-round action gets underway next Wednesday at 7 p.m. with 40 bouts on tap at the ITAM Banquet Center.

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.