Loew’s latest bouts Saturday

Trainer Jack Loew has assembled what he is calling, “arguably one of the area’s most competitive, pro-am boxing cards” with 14 bouts scheduled to hit the bell Saturday at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Center, 1025 North Belle Vista Rd.

Fight time is 7:30 p.m.

“We usually do a Thanksgiving show, however, there were some scheduling conflicts at that time so we decided to push everything back to the week before Christmas and that has been well-received,” Loew said. “I promised area fans that I would do three or four shows like this a year and they’ve been just so supportive. With an amateur show, the fans get to see boxing’s future stars while with the pros now added to the mix, they now have an opportunity to see those boxers early in their professional careers.”

There are 10 amateur bouts and four professional pairings with Youngstown’s Alejandro “Popo” Salinas (3-1, 3 KOs) set to take on Joe Shell (2-2) of Geneva, N.Y., in the 135-pound main event.

Vic Toney (3-0, 2 KOs) will meet Eric Bledsoe (1-0) of Wheeling, W.Va., in the 165-pound co-feature.

Both Salinas and Toney are members of Loew’s South Side Boxing Club.

“Popo is getting back in the saddle after falling off and l fully expect him to give it his all against Shell as he looks to get back on track,” Loew said. “He’s worked the hardest that I have seen him work since he came to us as an 8-year-old. He’s doing everything that he has to do and kicked his game up a notch. He used to be that nice guy in the ring. Now, there’s no apologies if he knocks someone down, whether just sparring or on a fight card.”

Loew said Shell won’t be an easy fight.

“Joe hasn’t fought in 15 months and even though he is 2-2, he’s won his last two fights,” Loew said. “He jumped at the opportunity to fight Popo, so that tells us that he is coming to fight.”

Toney, according to Loew, will also have his hands full with Bledsoe, both of whom are looking to remain undefeated.

“Vic is just so athletic that it doesn’t matter who is in the ring with him. He’s so much above them athletically,” Loew said. “It’s really tough for an opponent to keep up with him.”

Also on the pro card, Campbell’s Jake “The Bull” Giuriceo (17-5-1, 4 KOs) of Burnside A.C. looks to get back on the winning track and will be trying to end a three-bout losing streak when he takes on James Lester (10-8, 4 KOs) of Detroit in a 147-pound pairing.

Warren’s Anthony Taylor kicks-off the pro portion of the card when he steps into the ring to meet Hamzah Ajahmi of Detroit in a 114-pound bout.

“Anthony is an animal who fights like Joe Frazier. Just wind him up and he comes right at you.” Loew said.

Locals dotting the amateur card include Shawn Razzo (80 pounds) of Burnside A.C.; Andre Ballinger (170 pounds), Brian Simms (152 pounds) and Clement Franklin of United City Boxing Club and from Loew’s stable, Jackson Behun (100 pounds), Tasean Mitchell (152), Isaac Chatman (128) and Cody Luckey (152).

The Luckey-Davon Johnson (Cleveland) bout is the main amateur event with Franklin someone to keep an eye on, according to Loew.

“Clement is a tough, hard-nosed fighter who can flat-out fight,” he said. “He’s well-educated, is studying to be a nurse and one of the most polite individuals you will ever meet, except when he’s in the ring.”

Cost is $50 for a ringside seat, $20 for general admission while a table is $400.

Further information can be obtained by calling 330-501-5713.

Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Write Vindicator correspondent Greg Gulas at sports@vindy.com.