Salinas wins opener at USA Boxing national championships

February 27, 2012 at 9:10p.m.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

Youngstown amateur Alejandro “Popo” Salinas won his opening bout of the USA Boxing national championships, defeating Hawaii’s Rocky Balala 31-24 in a lightweight bout on Monday night.

Salinas, who had a bye for Sunday’s first day, will fight Luis Feliciano of Milwaukee tonight. The event runs through Saturday with the winner of each weight class advancing to the Olympic trials.

Salinas is trained by Jack Loew of the Southside Boxing Club.