Amateur boxing show coming to Niles

October 18, 2010 at 12:05a.m.

NILES

Boxers from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Akron and West Virginia, as well as fighters from Mahoning and Trumbull County, will highlight Sammy Calderon’s 14-bout “All-Star Amateur Boxing Show” on Wednesday at McMenamy’s Banquet Center.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the show to begin at 7.

Chuck Nelson, the event promoter, has three main events which will include two national champions.

“Both Sammy and I are excited about the card,” Nelson said. “We feel like we have pieced together an excellent event and those in attendance will definitely walk away impressed with all of the action.

“With former national champions Wesley Tripplett of Youngstown and Jaqua Lutz of Pittsburgh, and Cleveland Golden Gloves champion Ryan Forbes already in the fold, the action is expected to be fast and furious,” added Nelson.

The card, sanctioned by U.S.A. Amateur Boxing, has Triplett, who represents Jack Loew’s Southside Boxing Club, taking on Lutz in one of the three main features.

“The Tripplett-Lutz bout is a matchup that I honestly feel will make those in the professional ranks envious,” Nelson said.

The other main events include Connor Young, a junior baseball standout from Howland High, who will take on Warren Golden Gloves champion Josh Kroesen in a 185-pound bout, while Brian Pegues, a YSU Engineering School graduate, will meet Cleveland Golden Gloves champion Forbes in a 175-pound match.

A co-feature of the night has Julius Thomas, a sophomore at YSU and a member of Youngstown’s United City Boxing Club, going up against Akron’s Amp Walls in a 148-pound scrap.

Other local boxers to be featured include Charlie Nest, Vic Toney, Ronnie Haymel and John Gregory of Youngstown, and Shaun Cristlip (Vienna), James Poole (Warren), Danny Rosenberger (Niles), Dustin Garlock (Warren), Richie Chicone (Girard) and Marco Hall (Warren) of Trumbull County.

“If the truth be told, at least three other bouts on this card could be considered main events,” said Nelson. “It took some time and maneuvering to make the proper pairings, but we’re obviously pleased with the end result.

“The boxers who have agreed to take part in this hard-hitting card are all excellent fighters,” said Nelson.

Model Lisa Neeld also will be in attendance signing autographs.

Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. A guaranteed table of 10 is available for $250; a half-table of five is $125.

For tickets or more information, call 330-757-7273 or 330-330-5713.