Egner gets start on third KO title belt

The Boardman High student won a unanimous decision in a junior middleweight fight.

By GREG GULAS

Vindicator Correspondent

YOUNGSTOWN — For the past two years, Boardman High’s Jason Egner has had many opportunities to view his two underclass championship belts, validation of his welterweight and junior welterweight crowns won during competition at the K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament.

On Friday, the Spartan sophomore won a unanimous decision over Dave Kostik of Struthers on the opening night of this year’s tournament. He said it will be a huge disappointment if he isn’t fighting for his third title, this time in the junior middleweight class at the end of the month.

“I’ve trained really hard the past month or so and tonight that training really paid off for me.

“He [Kostik] was a good, tough opponent who stuck with it to the end but I felt that my arm length and overall speed was the telling tale.

“We’ll take a break from actual competition next week but I’ll continue to run, lift and just try to stay in shape. I feel like I am right on course in that area right now,” Egner said.

Fitch’s Tyler Smith, last year’s underclass featherweight champion, moved to 5-0 all-time in the competition as he defeated Tanner Moats of United.

He needed just 31 seconds of the first round to put away Moats as he eyes this year’s lightweight belt.

“I have looked forward to this year’s competition since the end of last year’s championships,” said Smith. “I’ve trained really hard since then, just went after him tonight and won’t let up until this is all over.”

Mardell Halas of Columbiana, who earned last year’s junior welterweight crown and is trying to defend his title, won a unanimous decision over Steve Tickerhoof of Fitch to move to 4-1 overall in the competition.

“I tried to work my jab first and then go one-two with my right, but I knew the fight would go the route so I just tried to pace myself,” Halas noted.

Lennie McGeachy, of Fitch, a runner-up in the super heavyweight class last year, needed just 28 seconds to dispose of Aaron Hamner of Jackson-Milton as he eyes this year’s title as well.

“I didn’t think my fight would go all three rounds but at the same time I didn’t think I’d need just 28 seconds to get my first win. I was a runner-up last year so my goal is simple; to win the belt this year,” McGeachy said.

In upperclass action, Warren Harding’s Darius Hull, who had to have his first-ever sanctioned fight moved up so he could get to his prom in time, had no problem with Lakeview’s Ben Moody as he disposed of the Cornell-bound football standout by TKO in the second round.

“I love contact sports and have wanted to box for some time now and while I knew nothing at all about my opponent tonight, I felt that if my jab and right were working then I would be able to get to him,” said Hull..

“It really wasn’t a surprise to me that I didn’t need all three rounds tonight.”

Cardinal Mooney senior James Simon III, who is in his first competition, was excited to just be in the ring for the first time.

Simon, who needed just 42 seconds of the second round in order to dispose of Brent Applequist of Life Skills Academy, credits his dad with getting him started.

“I just got done with soccer and wanted to do something new,” he said. “I always liked boxing and since my dad had taught me how to throw punches as a kid, I felt this might be the right time to get into the ring.

“Having a punching bag in the basement helps quite a bit when you are training and I’ll just continue the training as I prepare for my next fight,” Simon said.

In super heavyweight action, Hubbard’s Ian Pass upset defending champion Steve Rogers of Lakeview in a unanimous decision while Fitch’s Corey Goss, a runner-up last year, took a big step toward the junior middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Pete Gorantis of T.C.T.C.

“I have trained every day for four months and will not let up until I win this year’s title. [Gorantis] was a solid hitter and stayed with me all three rounds, but I was able to pull it out in the end,” Goss said.

Founder Chuck Nelson said the first night of action was an excellent kick-off to this year’s competition.

“We had some of the best overall pairings in recent memory, culminating in that super heavyweight slugfest between Pass and Rogers,” Nelson said.

There will not be any fights next Friday, but 35 bouts are on tap for May 15 at the ITAM Banquet Center.

Boxers still interested in entering can call Nelson at (330) 423-2203, or his son Pat (330-727-0932).