Local boxers notch sweep fights at Covelli
By charles grove
youngstown
Three local fighters had strong performances at Jack Loew’s Southside Boxing Championship Night outside Covelli Centre on Saturday night.
Youngstown’s Alejandro “Popo” Salinas won the state super featherweight championship by knocking out Cincinnati’s Devonte Allen in one round. Youngstown’s Jake “The Bull” Giuriceo earned a split-decision win and Warren’s Anthony “Tiger” Taylor won in a knockout.
After an opening bout that saw Cleveland’s Fred Wilson win in his debut fight against Indianapolis’ Rakin Johnson, Giuriceo and the Dominican Republic’s Jose Abreu went the eight-round distance in a fight that each judge scored within two points.
Guiriceo (20-5-1) handed Abreu (12-1) his first professional loss with a meticulous performance in which he limited Abreu’s significant reach and height advantage.
“When we heard he was from the Dominican we thought he might be a little more my height, but he came in tall and it threw out our game plan a little bit,” Giuriceo said. “I just wanted to stay inside. It’s always important to shorten up a fighter that has longer arms than me.”
While Abreu stayed even throughout the match, his fatigue and frustration began to show in the later rounds, while Giuriceo appeared fresh throughout.
“The further I go the better because I condition for that,” Giuriceo said. “It’s going to look great on my resume. It’ll open up a new door and opportunity for me. Hopefully I can get a big fight, win that big fight and get a big payday. I’ve been doing this for seven years and I’d like to get something out of it before it’s over.”
Taylor’s fight was anything but the long-distance bout Giuriceo had. Taylor (4-0) went up against Jajuan Gill, making his professional debut and the lack of experience showed.
Gill was totally outclassed before the referee stopped the fight in the third round. Taylor worked inside the entire fight and Gill at one point had to be reminded by the referee the fight was still on as he was complaining about hits below the belt.
The only thing Taylor didn’t do was knock Gill to the canvas.
“I tried to take him out,” Taylor said. “I guess he was upset because I was getting into his body and working my angles and it frustrated him. I knew he was hurt from the get-go.”
Taylor was the smaller fighter, but that just means the punches have to come harder, according to Taylor.
“I’m small, but powerful,” Taylor said. “I have to apply everything. I can’t come at you with pitty-pat jabs.”
Salinas (6-1) ended his fight against Allen (8-3-1) quicker than anyone. After what appeared to be a competitive first round, Allen couldn’t fight after returning to his corner complaining of what he thought was a broken jaw.
“I had to prove myself,” Salinas said. “They put someone who was extremely well experienced with a lot more fights in front of me. It was either he’s taking food from my daughter’s plate or I’m taking it from his.”
Said Loew: “This was no gimme fight. This was no 4-3 fighter that we put out here so Popo could get a win in front of his home crowd. [Allen] is strong. He might not have shown it tonight, but maybe that just shows how strong Popo is or how strong he’s going to be.”