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Loew’s fight show set for Saturday
Salinas bout part
of Saturday card
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Local trainer and South Side Boxing Club owner Jack Loew plans to present his annual “Season’s Beatings” fight card, a 14-bout, pro-am affair Saturday night at St. Lucy’s Palermo Banquet Center in Campbell.
Fights begin at 7 p.m. with nine amateur matchups ready to kick off the action and five professional pairings to conclude the night.
The main event will pit Loew’s protege Alejandro “Popo” Salinas (6-1, 6 KO’s) against Fidel Navarette (8-2-2, 4 KO’s) in a 10-round scrap at 130 pounds.
The other four pro bouts will be four rounds in duration with all amateur match-ups three round affairs.
“All fighters on the professional portion of the card are former, nationally ranked amateur contenders so we are expecting a great showing by all,” Loew said. “We’re bringing them in from Cleveland, Chicago, Georgia, Kentucky and Michigan so this is a great cross-section from which to draw. Also, OAC commissioner Bernie Profato is making a couple of the fighters step up so expect a super evening of boxing.”
According to Loew, Salinas is ready to go as he reported to camp at 141 pounds and will be at his fight weight by Saturday.
“Popo is in great shape, is well-conditioned and ready to go,” Loew added. “As for Navarette, he’s tall at 5-11 and with four KO’s you have to respect both his boxing prowess and punching ability. He’s been on major television before, has traveled to everyone’s backyard in order to fight and his camp contacted us, so we know that they are excited to be on our card.”
Salinas has won three consecutive fights and is 2-0 in 2016, having defeated DeVonte Allen by retirement back on July 23 during Loew’s outdoor show at the Covelli Centre, also earning a win by TKO over Daniel Mitchell back on March 26 at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Hall.
“I’m excited to be fighting again back in my hometown and I hope to put on a great show for the local fans,” Salinas said. “I understand that Fidel is quite seasoned and had been in the ring with some excellent fighters. That should make our fight a good one.”
Other pro match-ups include Lavelle Hadley of Chicago going up against Cleveland’s Marcus Washington at 154 pounds and at 168 pounds, Hakeem Atkinson of Georgia will take on Cleveland’s Isaiah Steen.
There are two, 160 pound pairings with the first featuring Fred Wilson (Cleveland) and Columbus native Wes Hanson with the final showcasing Andreal Holmes of Michigan taking on Darryl Lynch, a Kentucky native.
On the amateur side, eight local fighters will be looking for wins including five representing the South Side B.C.
Loew’s contingent features Tesean Mitchell (155 pounds), Ivan Ortiz (108 pounds), Jack Behun (120 pounds), Nate Lopez (130 pounds) and Levester Harris (155 pounds) while trainer Keith Burnside of Struthers will oversee his fighter, Austin Gibson.
Ryan Williams (130 pounds), Brian Sims (155 pounds) and Isaac Chatman (140 pounds) round out the local contingent.
Mitchell and Sims will square off, Gibson takes on Chaka Worthy of Cleveland, Williams is paired against Chicago’s Juan Juan while Chatman meets Justin Porter of Cleveland.
Ortiz packs a mighty punch at 108 pounds, but has Loew still working on his opponent.
“I just started about six months ago and have butterflies so I am ready,” Ortiz said. “The game plan is to throw a lot of punches, stay busy all three rounds and try to accumulate as many points as possible.”
For Harris, not knowing much about his opponent isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“I really don’t know much about [Kevin] Lopez, but feel as though I will need to connect with big hits the first two rounds. I also like to stick in my jab and then move away,” Harris said. “My stamina isn’t where I want it to be right now. I just feel as though I will need to get a little stronger over the course of the fight so I will have to pace myself all three rounds.”
Lopez, an East High School student, also feels ready and is set for the bell to ring.
“I put a lot of work into this fight and need to come out strong, but really need to pace myself,” Lopez said. “The goal now is to do what I have been taught and take advantage of my opportunities.”
In a Masters pairing, Bryan Gedeon of Cleveland will meet Ed Boehler of Pittsburgh.
Cost is $25 for general admission as all ringside seats and tables are sold out.
For more information, call 330-501-5713. Doors open at 6 p.m.