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Fight card set for Saturday night
By Greg Gulas
A 12-bout amateur boxing show is scheduled for Saturday at St. Mary’s Assumption Center, 356 S. Belle Vista Avenue, with monies from ticket sales and a side auction earmarked for Youngstown State scholarships.
The card, entitled “The Connection,” will also include a three-round sparring session between former UBO All-American lightweight champion Jake “The Bull” Giuriceo and former WBF and IBC welterweight titleholder Ken Sigurani.
Presented by Lights Out Management, the card will feature local fighters from five area gyms as well as up-and-coming hopefuls from Columbus, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
“It has been the goal of Lights Out Management that when we stage one of our shows, proceeds from ticket sales and auction items will be earmarked for an area group or organization that helps and assists those less fortunate,” said Lights Out Management’s Mike Cefalde.
“Our last four shows have raised over $20,000 and benefitted a wide variety of needy individuals from the area. We fully expect that our fifth effort will be just as rewarding as we help raise funds for area students who wish to attend Youngstown State University.”
Giuriceo (17-2-1, 4 KO’s), on hiatus for 18 months after suffering an eye injury against Peter Oluoch in December, 2012, scored a fourth-round TKO over Travis Hartman at Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino in his ring return this past July.
He said that even though it’s just a workout, going up against Sigurani will be a tough assignment.
“It’s only three rounds, but working out with Kenny will be a way for us to showcase boxing to area fans while showing the skills that it takes in order to enter the ring. We’ve known each other a long time and he has helped me many, many times over the years,” Giuriceo said.
“Getting back into the ring with Travis last July was a great feeling and after looking at the tape, I now know what I need to work on as I continue to move forward. This will be a fun session as Kenny is one tough boxer who has stayed in shape over the years. It will definitely be a crowd-pleaser, that’s for sure.”
Giuriceo, a Campbell native, is also hoping to raise additional funds for fellow Campbellite and friend, Kevina Koval, 27, who has an inoperable brain tumor and will be undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Sigurani (22-3, 8 KO’s), known as “The Cobra,” last fought in 1998, when he dropped a heated, 10-round split decision to Hector “Macho” Camacho at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in Chester, W.Va.
He said he is looking forward to getting back into the ring with Giuriceo, albeit for just three rounds and with a good friend.
“I’m just glad to get back into the ring and I want to thank Lights Out Productions, as well as many others associated with the show for the opportunity to work out with my pal,” Sigurani said. “It will be a different feeling entering the ring, but an exciting feeling just the same. I hope to see a lot of people come out that night to support two very good causes and I’m just happy to be a part of the action once again.”
Area fighters will represent Keith Burnside’s Gym, Sammy Calderon’s United City Boxing Club, Downtown Boxing Club, Campbell MMA and Salem Boxing Club.
The Connection will also honor former Austintown Fitch and YSU football players Chris and Dan Inglis, Frank Kaydo, Mike Stanec, Ron Strollo and Jeff Wilkins.
Wilkin is a 14-year NFL veteran who played with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams.
Past monies raised by Lights Out Management have benefitted the Sojourner House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, YSU football coach Eric Wolford and his wife Melinda’s No Stone Unturned Foundation and the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
The card begins at 7:30 p.m. with doors set to open at 6 p.m.
General Admission is $15; VIP tickets $50 while tables can be reserved for both $400 and $300.
Ticket outlets include The Wine Cellar, Austintown Fitch Touchdown Club (Mark Presley), Giannos Candies, Jake Giuriceo, Komara Jewelers and Vista Lounge.
Call 330-787-4228 or 330-717-4201 for more information.