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Loew’s latest boxing show coming Saturday
By Greg Gulas
AUSTINTOWN
Over the past four decades, local trainer Jack Loew has provided boxers with much-needed direction, a top-notch training regimen and what he calls a proper approach to the game from his familiar South Side Boxing Club establishment.
He’s hoping that his nine-bout professional card Saturday at Campbell’s St. Lucy Palermo Parish Center will fulfill two wishes; a successful event that will lead to several more shows over the next 12 months and the hope of garnering attention from national promoters and media as he continues to showcase local hopefuls.
In talking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon at Lucianno’s Banquet Center, Loew said Popo Salinas will headline his “The Beginning” event with seven boxers overall set to make professional debuts.
“I’m just hoping that this card is the beginning of a series of shows that I would like to see take place over the next year,” Loew said. “Popo and Vic Toney are co-mains, so it’s definitely shaping up to be a hard-hitting, action-packed evening.”
In 87 amateur fights, Salinas was 75-12 overall and at 130 pounds, Loew feels that his light heavyweight is the future of area boxing.
“[Ray] Boom Boom [Mancini] kept it going, Kelly [Pavlik] then kept it going and this is a hot division right now so I really believe that Popo can keep it going for us,” Loew stated. “Not that there weren’t other fighters locally, but they were the face of boxing and did a great job of keeping area boxing alive.”
Loew noted that there is plenty of interest in Salinas nationally, adding that those who make the calls regarding television have also shown keen interest in his local fighter.
“A lot of people will be watching how Popo’s career unfolds and rightfully so. A good start could open the doors to a possible bout televised locally on the Hispanic Channel next fall,” Loew said. “Other groups like ESPN and FOX Sports are always looking to fill dates and televise an event so there are many possibilities out there if things fall the right way.”
Loew, whose resume boasts 24 Golden Gloves, USA Amateur and PAL (Police Athletic League) champions, two world champions [Ken Sigurani and Pavlik] and six regional titlists, will be joining three of his fighters in St. Petersburg, Fla., next month for a professional card that has been assembled by Youngstown’s Chuck Nelson, founder of the area’s KO Drugs High School Boxing Tournament.
“The card will feature former IBF super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy and Chuck has been gracious to patch us in for three slots on the card,” he said. “The event provides Popo, Vic and John Gregory a great opportunity to showcase themselves during their early professional careers and that’s what we need. They are an excellent, young group that is sure to represent the Mahoning Valley for years to come.”
One boxer no longer with Loew is Willie Nelson and while the two have had a parting of the ways, it was an amicable parting, according to Loew.
“We had a great run together, which included two TV bouts but we’ve decided to go our separate ways. Willie has a bright future and I wish him all the luck in the world,” Loew said. “When things go wrong in the ring it falls back on the trainer and when that happens, I really need a boxer to listen to me when I am in his corner.”
Loew is anticipating a packed house for Saturday’s event.
“We have 34 of 35 tables already sold and are expecting over 1,000 fans to attend this weekend,” he said. “I’m trying to keep things going locally and with quality shows and fan support like this we’re on the right track.”
The Curbstone Coaches will break next Monday due to Thanksgiving but will return on Dec. 8.