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Loew's Williams prepares for St. Louis bout
Dannie Williams spar
Gallery
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Call it a gateway fight in the Gateway City.
St. Louis native Dannie Williams will return home this Saturday for what could be a career-changing bout against Manuel Leyva (18-2, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBC continental title in a 10-round bout at the Ameristar Casino.
A win would catapult Williams (16-1, 13 KOs) into the top 10 of the world rankings and, according to his trainer, Jack Loew, put him two fights away from a world title shot.
“This fight could open up a lot of doors,” said Loew, who is best known for training former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik at his Southside Boxing Club in the city. “We went through it with Kelly winning the NABF title.
“That put us in great position for a title shot. Dannie’s in the same position.”
Williams has won four straight fights, including a unanimous decision over Harrison Cuello in Youngstown on Feb. 19. Leyva had won 14 straight before losing to Joel Casamayor by split decision in a Showtime fight on March 11.
“It’s a big opportunity,” Williams said of Saturday’s bout. “I know I have to go in there and handle my business and I see the bigger picture behind it.
“That gives me a lot of motivation.”
If Williams wins, his next fight could be on TV, which would be a first for his career.
“There’s a lot of guys that Dannie has fought in the amateurs that are getting their opportunities right now,” Loew said. “We know Dannie’s right there with them, on their level.
“It’s just a matter of getting this little belt and getting our shot.”
Lyell declines fight
Niles’ Billy Lyell has declined a middleweight bout against Dominik Britsch (22-0, 7 KOs) on May 14 in Carson, Calif. Lyell (22-9, 4 KOs), who lost a unanimous decision to middleweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (41-0-1) on Jan. 29, plans to fight at junior middleweight for the remainder of his career.
Lyell is scheduled to fight on the May 14 “Thrill on the Hill” in Campbell but does not have an opponent and has not signed a contract.
Light welterweight Jake Giuriceo of Campbell will headline that card, fighting Rod Salka (12-1, 3 KOs) of Bunola, Pa., at the St. Lucy Banquet Center on 394 Tenney Ave.
For ticket information, call 330-787-4228, or 330-717-4201.
Hazimihalis back
Chris Hazimihalis (5-0, 5 KOs) will return to the ring for a lightweight bout against an unnamed opponent on April 30 at the Morgantown (W.Va.) Events Center.
Advance tickets cost $25 and may be purchased at morgantowneventcenter.com. For more details, call 304-290-0291.