Nelsons hope for turnout

By John Kovach

The K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament will return in May.

YOUNGSTOWN — There is the potential for a record-number of entries in the 21st annual K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament, scheduled for Fridays in May at the ITAM Banquet Center on Meridian Road.

“Over 160 students entered last season, and we were able to crown 35 champions. This year, we hope to eclipse both totals,” said Chuck Nelson, the founder and director of the tournament that is open to all high school boys and girls from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Mercer counties.

Nelson, a Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame member, believes the annual tournament has served as a force against drug use and a positive program for youth and a contribution to the community.

“Since the tournament’s inception over two decades ago, K.O. Drugs Boxing has provided an opportunity for many young men and women to build confidence and commit to a meaningful program,” said Nelson, 70, a life-long devotee to boxing. “Every participant agrees in writing to refrain from drug or alcohol use while in the month long competition. This is what we are proudest of.”

The tournament will be double-elimination and consist of three divisions of competition — Underclass (ninth and 10th graders), Upperclass (11th & 12th graders) and Female.

The Upperclass and Underclass divisions are comprised of 15 different weight classes each, while the Female division consists of five weight classes.

Each bout will consist of three one-minute rounds, with each round separated by a one-minute break.

Nelson said that Kelly Pavlik was a big reason for last year’s large number of tourney entries.

“Last year was a great year. It wasn’t a record but our second-best year, and we attribute that to the resurgence of boxing and Kelly Pavlik’s success and his popularity with youth,” said Nelson. “Kelly has proved to be a role model and more young people want to become like him.”

Pat Nelson, Chuck’s son and the tourney matchmaker, believes this year’s meet has the potential to set a record for the number of entries.

“We’re hopeful that we can exceed past numbers because of the growing interest in boxing in general in the Mahoning Valley,” said Pat Nelson, who makes all the pairings and performs all of the logistics for the meet.

“We will have up to 40 bouts each night. We have to have that many because of the past great success and expanded number of entries forced us to do many fights to get down to the finals.”

Pat Nelson predicts “about 10 fights an hour. We will start with the Underclass and the small weights and proceed to the Upperclass and heavier classes.”

Chuck Nelson said that safety-first is a tournament motto.

“Short rounds, extra-padded headgears and 18-ounce gloves help keep participants safe, but competent referees and cornermen are also integral to insure safety with over 40 fights each night,” said Chuck Nelson, noting that the tourney is designed for beginners.

The tournament is regulated by the Ohio State Athletic Commission and all officials are licensed by the state.

Registration and weigh-in sessions will be held at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Niles and Boardman on April 4, 11, 18 and 29. The sessions will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Niles and 3-6 p.m. in Boardman.

Contestants under 18 will be required to have parental consent, and a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of a physical examination and insurance for all participants.

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door each night of the event. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 7. For more information, contact Chuck Nelson at (330) 423-2203 or Pat Nelson at (330) 727-0932.

kovach@vindy.com