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Giuriceo eager, ready for Hernandez bout
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Jake Guiriceo defeats James hope Oct. 17, 2009 at the Eastwood expo Center in Niles, OH.
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
After spending nearly a month on the West Coast with former lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and trainers Keith Burnside and Frankie Duarte, Jake Giuriceo feels more than prepared for his upcoming fight with Angel Hernandez.
As for fighter Dannie Williams, his trainer Jack Loew said that his scheduled eight-rounder with Harrison Cuello will tell a lot as well.
The six-bout professional card Saturday at the Shady Run Byzantine Center also will feature four bouts on the undercard.
“‘Boom Boom’ set me up with Frankie and along with Keith we worked on being a more aggressive boxer in the ring,” Giuriceo said. “My head movement, bobbing, weaving, slipping and rolling as well as my footwork. I can tell you that I have watched two tapes on Angel [Hernandez] and he’s very aggressive.”
Giuriceo will enter the fight 9-0-1 (2 KOs) while Hernandez is a deceiving 14-8 (11 KOs).
Williams (15-1, 13 KOs), the co-main feature, will have his hands full with Cuello (22-14, 15 KOs), a boxer who always seems to go the distance.
“I can honestly say that I am excited about fighting once again in Youngstown and while I do not know much about Cuello, I do know that he’s a southpaw and a really tough opponent,” Williams said. “My game plan is to execute my jab and try going the distance, but I would love to knock him out early.”
Loew has been Williams’ trainer since his fifth fight and to prepare him for Saturday’s bout, he brought in former Olympic hopeful Miguel Gonzalez to emulate Cuello during sparring sessions.
“Cuello comes right at you. He’s very awkward and throws punches at many different angles,” Loew said. “This is the longest that I have had Dannie in camp, which is almost 2 1/2 months. He’s more than ready right now and on he’s definitely on top of his game.”
Mancini and Burnside also believe Giuriceo has come a long way over the past month.
“Frankie is a great teacher and what he taught Jake in the past month was incredible,” Mancini said. “It is well-known that Jake is a hard worker, but he’s also a great listener and that is a big key for a fighter.
Added Burnside: “Jake sparred with boxers that are ranked and undefeated and really worked on his footwork, counter-punching and just being aggressive. We also sparred on Monday so we are ready to go.”
The six-bout card by Lights Out Promotions is co-promoted by Warner Promotions and will also showcase 2008 Olympic alternate Miguel Gonzalez (13-2, 12 KOs), who will go up against Martin Tucker (7-7, 3 KOs) of Toledo in a junior welterweight clash.
In middleweight action, Cleveland’s Michael Moore (6-0, 4 KOs) takes on Justin Williams (2-0) while Demar Singleton (6-0, 4 KOs) of Toledo will meet Michael Glenn (2-1, KO) in a light heavyweight scrap. In the other bout of the night, Aaron DuFour (1-1) of Ashtabula will take on Zachary Swallen (0-2), also in light heavyweight action.
Tickets cost $50 and $25, with a table of eight ($400) featuring food and drinks.
Further information may be obtained by calling Mike Cefalde 330-787-4228 or Tom Kordell 330-717-4201.
Ticket outlets include the Bogey’s Bar & Grille, Buena Vista Cafe, Byzantine Center, Check-N-Go, Jensen Lock & Alarm, Patsy’s Bar, Up A Creek Tavern, South Side Boxing Club, Bedford Trails Golf Course and Wine Cellar.