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Campbell’s Giuriceo captures UBO title
By Greg gulas
campbell
With the Universal Boxing Organization’s American lightweight championship belt on the line, Campbell’s Jake Giuriceo was taking nothing for granted.
In fact, he was probably more methodical than in his previous 14 fights.
After 10 rounds, Giuriceo (14-0-1) had the decision and the belt, scoring a unanimous decision over Bryne Green (7-5-1) of Vineland, N.J. Saturday at St. Lucy Palermo Center.
“I knew that we had to go 10 rounds, so I started the fight by being patient and not letting the crowd influence me,” Giuriceo said. “I was told by my corner to take the knockout if it was there; otherwise, just be patient and fight my fight.”
Judge Phil Rogers scored it 96-94, Mike Wick had it 97-93 and Pat Casey 99-91.
“This title is an amazing feeling and I owe it all to God, who orchestrated my team for me,” Giuriceo said. “I could never have done this on my own and it’s a great feeling.”
In the night’s opening fight, Youngstown’s Marco Hall (2-0, 2 KOs) needed just 2:31 of the opening round to dispose of John Rodriguez (0-1) of Indianapolis.
With several potential managers in attendance seeking to sign the local lightweight, Hall only enhanced his stock yet barely broke a sweat in the process.
“I wanted to take my time in the early going, hoping to feel him out,” Hall said. “My motivation was to be the best that I could be since there is quite a bit on the line.”
The only heavyweight bout saw Austintown’s Chris Koval’s (25-8) comeback derailed when he suffered a split decision setback to Mujahtez Moore (5-6) of Shaker Heights.
“I’m definitely disappointed because I was easily in control with my jab,” Koval said. “I was told by my corner that I had easily won the first two rounds so I really don’t know what happened the last two rounds.
“I thought this was my hometown. I just didn’t understand the scoring disparity. I’ll likely keep going but I’m going to have to sit down and think long and hard about my boxing future.”
Local cruiserweight Juan Salinas (1-1, 1 KO) scored a third-round TKO (2:18) over Christopher Rabb of Rochester, N.Y.
“I realize that I am a work in progress, but this wasn’t the type of fight that I expected tonight,” Salinas said. “I looked and even felt a little tired but my jab was working and I was able to get in a couple of uppercuts.
“It’s going to take a lot of work but I understand the dedication necessary and I will make it happen.”
Both Hall and Salinas are trained by Jack Loew of the Southside Boxing Club.
“Juan answered some of my questions and he now realizes the type of condition that a professional needs to be in,” Loew said. “He showed a lot of heart and that’s big in the fight game.
“As for Marco, it’s tough when you fight a wild puncher. You’ll see a better Marco when a better fighter.”
In a light middleweight fight, Dante Moore (6-0-2, 4 KOs) of Cleveland and Julius Dunda (4-1-1, 2 KOs) of Kitchner, Ontario were each knocked down but all three judges scored it 37-37 for the night’s only draw.
After a 25-month layoff, Youngstown’s Durrell Richardson (12-3) earned a unanimous decision over Chicago’s Michael Walker (19-13) in a fight that he felt was a C performance at best.
“I have no excuses and now know exactly what I have to work on for my next fight,” Richardson said. “My jab and straight left to his body kept him honest but overall I felt like I hit him with bigger shots and landed more punches. It’s great to get back in the ring.”
In the final fight, super middleweight Robert Acevedo (2-0) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, stopped Delvery Wofford (0-2) of Dallas at 1:52 of the first round.