43
Nelson is proud of KO Drugs tourney
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
The K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament has reached the midway point and Chuck Nelson, the event’s founder, couldn’t be more pleased with the reception his tourney has received.
With the area Golden Gloves about to come to a end in the late 1980’s, Nelson believed there were still plenty of high school-aged students who still wanted to get into the ring.
Getting them interested in the “Knock Out Drugs” theme and their eventual pledge to stay free of alcohol and drugs during the tournament was a selling point from which he has never wavered.
“Our original intention was to take this tourney all over the country with the hopes that it would catch on internationally as well,” Nelson told the Curbstone Coaches at their weekly noon luncheon at Blue Wolf banquet center.
“We’re regulated by the state of Ohio and as we have grown over the years, it sure is nice to be referred to as the model high school boxing tournament,” Nelson said.
With over 3,000 fights during its four-decade run, the tourney has attracted nearly 1,500 hopefuls from the five-county area.
“We’ve attracted future doctors, lawyers, politicians, businessmen, contractors, those who have succeeded in administration and upper management as well as future professionals in sports other than boxing.
“It’s fun to watch the careers take off of those who have competed in our tourney during their scholastic years,” said Nelson. “Craig Kikta, a regional champion, started here as did WBF lightweight world champion Ken Sigurani.
“Billy Lyell also won a belt in our tourney and has gone on to bigger and better things,” Nelson said.
Tom Miller, who has judged 56 world and 21 regional title fights has been the tourney’s chief official the past 15 years; adding credibility to the month-long affair while helping to stress safety to all that enter.
“Safety is our number one concern and we do all that we have to in order to ensure just that,” said Nelson. “We use 18-ounce competition gloves, provide the trunks and gloves and use extra padded head gear with high cheek bone coverage.
“Each round is 45 seconds in duration and there is a minute break in between each round so we are doing everything possible for the safety of the fighters,” he added.
Six female title fights and 20 semifinal boys bouts are slated for Friday at the ITAM Banquet Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
Also honored at the weekly luncheon was the Boardman High girls state champion bowling team.
Boardman, 14-0 last year, is under the direction of coach Al Dohar and has won two consecutive Federal League titles while going 20-1 the last three seasons.
Those receiving plaques were Rachel Dugan, Angela Kaczowka, Ciarra Moran, Amanda Van Fossan, Tiffany Dugan, Tiffany Heffron, Tiffany Terlecki and Becca Babnic.
Rachel Dugan and Moran were voted to the Federal League’s first team while Kaczowka was a second-team selection.
Next week, Dave Smith, general manager of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, will serve as guest speaker.