Sunday, April 15, 2012
By Greg Gulas
CAMPBELL
The 25th annual K.O. Drugs High School Boxing Tournament will continue on Monday with 28 bouts slated at St. Lucy’s Palermo Banquet Center.
“As second-round action begins, we hope that the cream will start rising to the top en route to the upcoming championships,” tournament founder Chuck Nelson said. “With three heavyweight fights slated in the upperclass division, we’re expecting to see some fireworks from the big boys.”
The three upperclass heavyweight battles include Hubbard’s Tyler Karabin, a unanimous winner in his opening-round battle, against Lawrence Fain of MCCTC.
Another bout has Campbell’s Christian Kountz against David Stewart from Struthers.
The final battle will see the return of Canfield’s Conner Hoelzel to the ring against Brian Smith of Struthers.
Hoelzel, who won a unanimous decision en route to his cruiserweight championship a year ago, will test the waters as a heavyweight.
Also in upperclass action, Canfield’s Anthony Ross will collide with Chris Allen of Mahoning Opportunity in a super welterweight scrap.
In the underclass division, Zack Maus will tangle with Chaney’s Vernon Warman in lightweight action. In a super lightweight pairing, Boardman’s Christian Miller will face Tyler Wyant of Columbiana.
Junior middleweight Eric Liston of South Range will square off against Canfield’s Riley Plauka.
Middleweight John K. Rojas of Campbell will tangle with Robert O’Malley of Columbiana.
Lightweight Terrell Neely of Niles will fight Liberty’s Jordan Walker.
Fifteen underclass (ninth and 10th graders) and 13 upperclass (11th and 12th graders) bouts are on tap. The winners will advance to April 23 bouts.
Campbell Memorial will send four fighters to the ring while Howland, Warren Harding, Boardman, Struthers, Keystone and Canfield are each represented by three.
Thirty-two schools representing five counties from the Mahoning Valley and Western Pennsylvania will be represented..
“There was plenty of enthusiasm on opening night and all indications are that will continue throughout the tournament,” Nelson said.
Semifinal action is slated for April 23 with the championships to be decided on April 30.
Tickets cost $9 for students and $10 for adults. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout hitting the bell at 7 p.m.
For further information, call Nelson at (330) 423-2203 or Patrick Nelson at (330)727-0932.