‘Knock Out Hunger’ boxing card Saturday at St. Mary’s

May 30, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

An 18-bout amateur boxing card will take place Saturday at the Assumption Social Center at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 356 S. Belle Vista Ave.

With “Knock Out Hunger” its theme, Lights Out Management is teaming this time around with the local St. Vincent de Paul Society and will feature boxers from Youngstown, Warren, Salem, Campbell and New Castle gyms, as well as athletic clubs from Steubenville, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Cleveland and Columbus.

Co-sponsored by Groover Roofing and Siding, seven area gyms will be represented with Tyler Smith of Downtown Boxing Club the main event and brother, Alex, also of Downtown B.C. slated for its co-main feature.

“We’ve put together an excellent amateur card while the night will benefit a most worthy cause,” said Tom Kordell of Lights Out Management. “We have such a rich boxing tradition in the Mahoning Valley, we want area fight fans to come out and enjoy the night’s competition knowing they are helping a most worthy group like the St. Vincent de Paul Society. It’s an organization that just keeps giving back to the area.”

Smith will meet Darnell Pettis of Cleveland in the evening’s 130-pound main event while Alex goes up against Troy Nixon of Columbus Fight Factory in a 140-pound pairing.

In another co-main attraction, Rajai Hernandez of Cleveland takes on Pittsburgh’s Matt Conway in 140 pound action.

“Lights Out Management remains committed to showcasing top area amateur talent while identifying a worthy cause that can use much needed monetary assistance,” said Bob Clemens, co-promoter. “Boxing has been the one avenue which has enabled us to give back to the community.”

In addition to the Smith brothers, other Downtown B.C. fighters slated for action include Michael Fasline (135) and Clement Franklin (175), who is also trained locally by Sammy Calderon.

Jack Loew’s South Side Boxing Club has entered Damajha Robinson, who will meet Cleveland’s Abdul Batin in a 60-pound, Junior Olympic pairing while heavyweight Ben Bechtel takes on Chris Young from Keith Burnside’s gym.

Burnside B.C. has also entered Lavelle Sharp, who will square off against Cleveland’s Terrence Ross at 165.

Salem B.C. will enter three boxers, including Mardell Halas (a former K.O. Drugs multiple champion) and Drew Smith, both at 152 and heavyweight Wade Morrow, who will meet Matt Shaw of Cleveland.

Campbell Mixed Martial Arts has Anthony Alexander, who will meet Halas and Mike Walters, who is set to take on Smith; both in 152-pound events.

Warren’s Mark Revere goes up against Kaden Weekly of Steubenville in a 115 pound pairing while New Castle’s Nico Froce; a member of Foundation B.C. is paired with Cameron Ekas of Toronto at 135.

Last year, the St. Vincent De Paul Society of the Mahoning Valley helped provide more than 100,000 meals to area needy.

“This event comes at an absolutely great time for us in that donations fall off this time of the year but need, as you very well know, does not,” St. Vincent de Paul president Brian Antal said. “We served over 107,000 meals and distributed 3,100 boxes of food last year so the timing is absolutely perfect. Unlike other organizations the president and its board is not compensated; everyone volunteers their time with all donations and dollars generated going right back into the organization.”

The group will present local artist Aaron Chine with its “Lifetime Achievement Award,” local official and longtime referee John Mang will be honored as its “Man of the Year” while local statistician and media member Bob Gugliotti is the recipient of its “Spirit of the Valley” award.

“I feel so honored to be receiving this lifetime achievement award because it is something I will forever remember. I am also happy to share such a special night with my friends and family because I was raised if I see a problem then I should fix it,” Chine said. “If someone needs help then I try to do whatever I can in order to make the community in which I live a better and more beautiful place. I’m just so grateful that living my life that way has earned me such an amazing award.”

A drawing will also be held the night of the show.

“Those attending that bring four non-perishable items will receive a ticket for a drawing that includes an overnight stay at the Boardman Holiday Inn and a $75 gift certificate to the Springfield Grille,” Mike Cefalde Jr. said.

Gates open at 6 p.m. with the first fight set for 7:30.

Ringside seats are $50. General admission tickets sell for $15, with tables of eight ranging from $300-$400. For tickets and further information, call Tom Cordell (330-717-4201) or the Wine Cellar (330-792-7176).