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Salinas headlines boxing card at St. Lucy’s
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Middleweight Victor Toney is known for being a slick boxer in the ring, but his salesmanship packs a punch, too.
When asked why fans should go to Saturday’s boxing show at St. Lucy’s Hall, the former Chaney High quarterback said, “Because we’ve got some of the toughest guys ever seen from some of the crummiest places ever seen. We’re hungry, we’re motivated and the fans love boxing here in Youngstown.
“The fans are thirsty for a champion. We feel that urgency to have another champion.”
Saturday’s event, which will feature eight professional bouts, won’t have any current champions, but it may have a future one. Youngstown lightweight Alejandro “Popo” Salinas (1-0) is scheduled to meet Bryant Bivens (0-2) of Winchester, Va., in the headline bout of a card that’s heavy on younger fighters.
Like Toney, Salinas made his professional debut last November. And, like Toney, he won by knockout.
“Popo, we watch each other,” said Toney, who is scheduled to fight Dion Meadows (1-0) of Cincinnati. “He likes to watch how slick I am. I like to watch his speed. For a little guy, he has a lot of power. I call him ‘Little Bruce Lee.’ His work ethic is crazy.
“He’s a phenomenal specimen and he’s very focused.”
Toney is coming off knee surgeries in August and November and said he’s still only about 75 percent, “but my talent takes me further than a normal guy. My whole amateur career, I was on a bum knee.
“I’m looking forward to putting my training to the test and showcasing my talent for the city, my fans and my family.”
In other bouts, Youngstown heavyweight Wesley Triplett will fight Cleveland’s Frank Barnes (0-1) and welterweight Lavelle Hadley will fight Zeatuo Lyon (0-1) of Lansing, Mich.
Youngstown super welterweight Danny Rosenberger — the son of former Niles boxer Rusty Rosenberger — will make his debut against Donte Adams (0-1) of Fort Wayne, Ind.
Youngstown welterweight John Gregory (1-0) will fight Kevin Shacks (0-0) of East Lansing, Mich., and Youngstown welterweight Vinnie O’Neill (3-1-1) will fight Lorain’s Angelo Figueroa (3-1-1) in what Southside Boxing Club owner Jack Loew says could be the fight of the night.
Also, Anthony Mercado (1-0) of the Burnside Boxing Club in Struthers will meet Monaca, Pa., cruiserweight Josh “The Handsome Hitman” Himes (2-0). It is the only bout that does not feature one of Loew’s fighters.
Loew’s son, John, arranged the fights.
“I give him all the credit in the world,” Jack said of John. “People think it’s easy putting a club show together, but when you don’t have big money to pay people to come fight, they cancel every other day. He’s got four backups for every fighter. He put this whole thing together.”
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 7:30. There are a few ringside seats available at $50 each. General admission tickets cost $25. Tickets are available at the Southside Boxing Club or by calling Jack Loew at 330-501-5713 or John Loew at 330-501-0882.