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Split decision in local card’s main event
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Isaac Chatman and Jackson Behun of South Side Boxing Club and Austin Gibson of Burnside Athletic Club were local fighters that won Saturday in the 11-bout “Fighting Hunger” amateur card at the St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Hall.
In the night’s main event, Calvin Dewberry of Cleveland earned a split decision over Chris Young of Downtown Boxing Club, a fight that Young felt could have gone either way.
“I’m disappointed, I felt like I won but the judges saw something different,” Young said. “I let myself down but I’ll bounce back.”
In the night’s opening fight, Behun of enjoyed a successful ring debut by scoring a unanimous decision over Alex Rodriguez of Ashtabula in a 60-pound pairing.
Gibson then posted the night’s first TKO when he terminated Salem Boxing Club’s Brandon Bixler in a 132-pound match just 47 seconds into their fight.
The win evened Gibson’s mark at 1-1.
“I prayed before the fight and asked God if it is His will, then let me win this fight and just have a lot of fun,” Gibson said. “I’ve been told by a lot of people that I have a strong right hand and tonight I think I proved that.”
At 135 pounds, Elhan “The Albanian Assassin” Nevzadi improved to 25-6 when he scored a unanimous decision over Akron’s Johnny Ford.
“Going nose-to-nose is my style,” Nevzadi said. “I like to make things exciting and it just turned into a war tonight.
“My jab was working perfectly along with a faint left hook. [Ford] was a tough opponent because he moved around a lot. I just tried to keep pressure on him all three rounds.”
In the night’s other 132-pound match, Cleveland’s Delonte Johnson was a split decision winner over Sean Scott of Cincinnati. At 165 pounds, Terrance Ross of Cleveland earned a unanimous decision over Mardell Halas of Salem B.C.
For Halas (5-4), it was a fight he hoped to win and use as a springboard for April’s Golden Gloves competition, which will be held April 11-12 in Brook Park.
“This fight tells me that I must train a lot harder as I prepare for next month’s Golden Gloves competition,” Halas said. “I couldn’t get out of the way of his punch and counter. Every time I put my hands down and tried to counter him, he caught me. I’ll get back into the gym and be ready for the Golden Gloves in three weeks.”
Cleveland’s Dawuan Roseberry (28-2) registered the night’s other TKO, sending Matt Davis of Lancaster, Pa. to the canvas twice before ending the fight just 15 seconds from the finish. It was Roseberry’s 17th consecutive win.
“I thought [Davis] was a little passive, but definitely didn’t quit,” Roseberry said. “Every time I threw a punch he stood still, which left him open for multiple shots.”
Chatman (2-1) then made it 2-0 for trainer Jack Loew’s crew when he posted a unanimous decision over Akeem Bolden of Farrell in a 135 pound match. The win was Chatman’s second straight.
“Jack [Loew] told me that I hit hard, I’m fast and no one should beat me,” Chatman. “I train with all professionals, no amateurs, and I train hard Monday through Friday non-stop.
“I’m pleased with tonight’s outcome, but felt I could have done better.”
Rounding out the card, Cleveland’s Rodney Hine schooled Corey Schooley by scoring a unanimous decision over the Lancaster, Pa. native at 201 pounds. Damone Jackson of Cleveland was a split decision winner over Mike Fasline of Downtown Boxing Club at 130 pounds. In a heavyweight bout, Chris Hardaway won a unanimous decision over Kyle Mathes, also of Lancaster.