Titles are on the line at KO Drugs fights

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The 22nd K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament concludes Friday with 25 bouts, including 20 championship belts that are on the line at the ITAM Banquet Center.

There are 11 underclass and nine upperclass title fights, along with five consolation bouts.

“It’s an exciting time because this is what the boxers have awaited all month,” said tourney founder Chuck Nelson.

There will be three fights featuring three-time winners, one on the underclass card and two in the upperclass division; while 21 undefeated fighters, including 12 with two decisions eye the title belt.

“It goes without saying that all three divisions have been very special this year,” said Nelson. “It will be a real challenge to the entire staff when it comes time to select the Most Promising Boxer Award in the underclass and upperclass divisions on Friday.”

In underclass action, Te’Quan Rushton of East is the lone fighter with three wins in the tourney. He will go up against Struthers’ Dave Kostic (2-0) for the super lightweight crown.

Other boxers with two wins in underclass action include Lakeview’s Ryan Scott, who will meet Joe Allen (1-0) of East for the welterweight crown; Corey Downing of Wilmington, who will challenge Poland’s Edwin Figueroa (1-1) for the junior middleweight title, and Daitzel Moore of Girard, who will take on Fitch’s Chris Ruffner for the right to wear the middleweight belt.

Also, Conner Hoelzel meets Dustin Garlock (1-1) for the cruiserweight crown and Mike Bobosky of New Castle will meet Brian Smith (1-1) for the heavyweight title.

Roy Patterson of Struthers, who has two wins but has also suffered a defeat, will take on Lakeview’s Dylan Sayers (1-1) for the underclass super heavyweight crown.

The two upperclass fighters that are undefeated in three tries are Jason Egner of Boardman and Pete Goranitis of Niles.

They are scheduled to meet for the junior middleweight crown.

Two fighters, Martin Pederson of Hubbard, the first foreign exchange student in the tourney, from Oslo, Norway, and Jacob Bennett, who is home schooled, square off for the cruiserweight title while three other fighters who are undefeated in two tries this year are scheduled.

Campbell’s Zak Kountz will meet Corey Carrico (1-1) of LaBrae for the welterweight belt; Joe Chelbus, who is home schooled, takes on Edwin Centofanti (1-1) for the middleweight title, while Charlie Metz of Mathews will meet Kevin Bretz (1-0) of Springfield for the light heavyweight crown.

Also, Springfield’s Mike Semach (1-0), who will meet Boardman’s Noah Patoray (1-1) for the heavyweight title.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 7.