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‘The Bull’ looks to bring rage to ring
Photo
William D Lewis The vindicator Jake the Bull Giuriceo, right, and trainer Keith Burnside during a 9-1 news conference at Los Gallos in Boardman.
By JOE SCALZO
boardman
Jake Giuriceo didn’t get the nickname “The Bull” because of his subtle fighting style, so when asked about preparing for a fight against an unnamed opponent, he just shrugged and smiled.
“We always prepare in the same way, no matter who the guy is,” said Giuriceo, a welterweight boxer from Campbell. “We train to just go in there and try to destroy him, try to make him give up. Hit him with everything we got and hopefully he gives.”
Giuriceo (7-0-1, 2 KOs) will headline the “Rage in the Ring” on Sept. 25 at the ITAM in Youngstown.
It’s his first pro bout as the headliner and his first at 140 pounds after fighting as high as 150 pounds in his previous bouts.
His last five bouts have gone the distance — the last four have been six-rounders — and Giuriceo said he’s spent the past few months working on his boxing technique.
“I want to be a more solid, all-around boxer,” said Giuriceo, who works out of the Burnside Boxing Club. “Later in my career we’re going to be fighting more rounds and that aggressive, try-to-run-in-there-and-beat-a-guy-to-death [approach] isn’t going to work with the more experienced fighters.”
Still, that doesn’t mean his style will change dramatically. He’s still going to throw a lot of punches and attempt to walk his opponent down. Just because he’s conditioned to go six or more rounds doesn’t mean he won’t take an early night.
“Obviously, I want a quick one,” said Giuriceo. “I’m tired of working so hard.
“I’m just looking to go in there, stay focused, execute my boxing to best of its ability and after this, I just want to keep climbing the ladder and try to get to the top.”
Giuriceo’s bout will be either the fifth or sixth pro fight on the card. There are also six amateur fights scheduled.
This will be fifth time Giuriceo has fought in the Mahoning Valley — his other four bouts have been split between Pennsylvania and the Cleveland area — and he’s always had a strong following.
“I’ve never been the headliner, so that’s going to make a huge difference,” he said. “I just hope we can get a lot of people out there to support me.”