K.O. Drugs boxing event set to begin Friday night

By Greg Gulas

Thirty fights are scheduled at the ITAM Banquet Center on Meridian Road.

YOUNGSTOWN — The 21st K.O. Drugs High School boxing tournament will begin Friday with 30 bouts on tap at the ITAM Banquet Center.

The first week will feature 18 underclass fights and 12 upperclass bouts, which is open to all high school boys and girls in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Mercer counties.

“We had over 160 students entered last year and were able to crown 35 champions at the conclusion of the month-long event,” said the tournament founder and director, Chuck Nelson. “This year, we are hoping to eclipse those totals and with nearly 30 schools already showing an interest, we are well on our way.”

Nelson, 70, has had a lifelong passion for amateur boxing.

“Since its inception, the K.O. Drugs boxing tournament has provided a stage in which the area’s young men and women can build their confidence while committing to a meaningful program,” said Nelson.

“Every participant agrees in writing to refrain from drug or alcohol use while taking part in the month-long competition. That is something of which the tournament committee is most proud.”

The 60 hopefuls taking part on opening night represent three counties and 27 high schools with Lakeview sending seven fighters into the ring.

Two other schools, Campbell Memorial and Austintown Fitch, will each be sending at least five contestants, while Struthers and Howland each have four, and Champion, United, Columbiana and Cardinal Mooney all have three.

In the upperclass division, Steve Rogers of Lakeview will defend his super heavyweight crown, while schoolmate Ben Moody, who is headed to Cornell University on a football scholarship, is a fan favorite.

Rogers (6-foot-5, 260 pounds), who packs a dynamite punch, will square off against Ian Pass of Hubbard (6-1, 245), while Moody will meet Warren Harding’s Darius Hull in a cruiserweight fight.

Others returning to upperclass action include Steve Kostik of Struthers (lightweight), Mineral Ridge’s Larry Kirby (junior middleweight) and Jordan Mohammed of McDonald (middleweight).

Underclass returnees include junior welterweights Mardell Halas of Columbiana and Kyle Price of Canfield, welterweight Ian Stores of Boardman, junior middleweight Jason Egner of Boardman, cruiserweights Marcus Gilbert of Fitch and Ed Crump of Western Reserve (who will square off against each other) and super heavyweight Lennie McGeachy of Fitch.

The double-elimination tournament consists of three divisions — the underclass (9th-10 graders); upperclass (11th-12th graders) and the female division.

There are 15 weight classes that comprise both the underclass and upperclass divisions with five weight classes in the female division.

All bouts are three rounds, each a minute in duration with a one-minute break taken between rounds.

“The tournament is designed for beginners with safety as our highest priority,” said Nelson.

“Short rounds, extra-padded headgear and 18-ounce gloves help keep participants safe with competent referees and cornermen also an integral part of the operation in order to ensure the safety of all boxers.”