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Top area fighters get ready to deal
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Campbell native Jake Giuriceo, right, faces off against Winston Mathis during Thursday’s weigh-in at the Holiday Inn in Austintown. The two will fi ght in tonight’s “Real Deal” boxing show at the Covelli Centre.
The Vindicator ( Youngstown)
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JESSICA M. KANALAS | THE VINDICATOR..Michael Walker weighs in yesterday for a boxing match held at the Covelli Centre tonight...-30-
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Covelli Centre parking lot.
Tickets: $17 and $27. Available at the door.
FIGHT CARD
Dannie Williams (17-1, 14 KOs) of Youngstown vs. Oscar Cuero (13-6, 10 KOs) of Colombia, 10 rounds, lightweight
Jake Giuriceo (11-0-1, 3 KOs) of Campbell vs. Winston Mathis (7-3, 2 KOs) of Stockbridge, Ga., six rounds, light welterweight
Billy Lyell (23-9, 5 KOs) of Niles vs. Michael Walker (19-8, 12 KOs) of Chicago, six rounds, middleweight
Juan Salinas (0-0) of Youngstown vs. Adam Dearien (0-0) of Charleston, W.Va., four rounds, heavyweight
Marco Hall (0-0) of Warren vs. Emil Brooks (0-3) of Buffalo, four rounds, lightweight
Kevin Dotson (0-0) of St. Louis vs. Daniel Crabtree (0-2) of Columbus, four rounds, light welterweight
Anthony Pietrantonio (6-7, 5 KOs) of Sharon, Pa., vs. William Prieto (5-5-1, 2 KOs) of Lorain, four rounds, light heavyweight
Vincent O’Neil (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Girard vs. Kenneth Addison (0-0) of Youngstown, four rounds, light welterweight
By Joe Scalzo
AUSTINTOWN
Dannie Williams trains for 10 rounds and fights for the knockout. He’s a soft-spoken power puncher with a tough past and a bright future. He’s a St. Louis native trying to make a name for himself in his adopted hometown.
He’s the main event fighter for tonight’s “Real Deal” at the Covelli Centre — and he’s hoping to prove to area fans that he’s just that.
“I’m trying to put on a show for Youngstown, Ohio,” said Williams, who will meet Colombia’s Oscar Cuero (13-6, 10 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout that no one expects to last 10 rounds. “I’ve been here for awhile and I’m starting to get to know people and people are starting to hear about me.
“Now all the talking will be over and they’ll see what I’m about.”
Williams, who trains with Jack Loew at the Southside Boxing Club, grew up in the projects of St. Louis and has used boxing to help him escape, moving to Youngstown about a year ago to train with Loew full-time. He recently won the WBC Continental Americas lightweight belt and will likely be the first televised bout on Kelly Pavlik’s Aug. 6 card at the Covelli Centre, which will be aired on Shobox.
“I just want everybody to know in Ohio that I always bring excitement to the game,” he said.
Area fans already know that about Campbell native Jake Giuriceo (11-0-1, 3 KOs), who will meet Winston Mathis (7-3) of Stockbridge, Ga., in a six-round light welterweight bout.
“I know he’s a pretty tough kid with a real big amateur background, but he hasn’t been too active since he turned pro,” Giuriceo said. “I’m just going to do what I always do, which is try to keep the pressure on.”
This will be the ninth local bout for Giuriceo, who expects to fight for a state title at Bob Cene Park on Aug. 13.
“I always like fighting at home,” he said. “I think this show is a good opportunity for Youngstown. They’re showcasing a lot of local guys and I feel like we’re all a part of this together.”
Niles’ Billy Lyell (23-9, 5 KOs) will meet Chicago’s Michael Walker (19-8-2, 12 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout. It’s Lyell’s first hometown bout since October 2009.
“I’m real excited to get the chance to fight in front of all my friends and family,” Lyell said. “I’m in wonderful shape — the best shape of my life. That’s all you can do, prepare yourself the best way possible and see what shakes out.”
Lyell has fought some of the division’s biggest names in the past few years, including a win over John Duddy in 2009 and losses to IBF middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. over the last 18 months.
“When you’ve fought as many world champions as I have, you know you’ve been in there with the best in the world,” Lyell said. “You’re not going to see many new looks, so I’m just going to concentrate on what I do best.”
NOTES
Loew said the $77 and $52 tickets are sold out and only $17 and $27 tickets remain. He said the event is “80 percent there to breaking even. If we get a big walk-up, we’ll have everything covered.” ... With favorable weather planned, Loew officially made the call to hold the event outside. ... Due to injury, Youngstown’s Darnell Boone was forced to cancel his light welterweight bout with Cleveland’s Romaro Johnson. ... Youngstown’s Juan Salinas will fight West Virginia’s Adam Dearien in the pro debut for both. Dearien was wearing bright blue Homer Simpson “Party Animal” boxers when he weighed in.