Benefit card set to honor deceased boxer

March 2, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

An 18-bout amateur card that will raise funds for the family of the late Dearborn, Mich., boxer Hamzah Ajahmi will take place on Saturday at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Center, 1025 North Belle Vista Avenue.

“Tribute to a Boxer” is presented by Lights Out Management and being held in conjunction with M&C Construction, California Palms Hotel and Detroit’s Hype Athletic Center, Ajahmi’s training facility.

Ajahmi, who was making his professional debut in December, suffered severe injuries during his fight with Warren’s Anthony Taylor and died on Dec. 23.

“It’s going to be a great night with plenty of excellent match-ups, all for a great cause,” Mike Cefalde of Lights Out Management said. “All fighters are set and ready for the action to get under way.”

The night’s main feature will pit Keonte Irving of Pittsburgh against Akron’s Jose Rodriguez in a 175-pound match-up.

The co-main has Chris Young of Youngstown’s Downtown Boxing Club taking on Cheavy Hamby of Detroit in a 190-pound scrap.

Other local fighters on the card include Colby Clayton (Downtown B.C.), Isaac Chatman (Downtown B.C.), Mardell Halas of Salem B.C. and Mike Sullivan of Burnside A.C.

Young, who was a member of the last graduating class of The Rayen School in 2007, is 7-3 overall with five knockouts to his credit.

“I last fought in December, so it is going to be a great feeling just to get back into the ring,” Young said. “My plan is to just come out and straight out-box him [Hamby]. I will use my jab to set everything else up, then come back with my power right.”

Trainer Sam Calderon called Young a tireless worker who is dedicated to the game.

“Chris is still learning the game, yet remains someone dedicated to getting better each and every time he steps foot in the gym,” Calderon said. “When he first started two years ago, he couldn’t take a shot to the body.

“Now, he not only takes it but dishes it out as hard, if not harder. His courage is his strength, along with an unbelievable jab.”

Clayton will meet Mike Palumbo of Akron in a 180-pound pairing while Chatman goes up against Johnny Ford in a 132-pound match-up.

Halas meets Kirby Williams of Detroit at 160 pounds while trainer Keith Burnside has Sullivan set and ready to go for his amateur debut when he takes on Eugene Padula of New Castle, Pa.

Halas is a two-time K.O. Drugs High School boxing champion who was voted “Most Promising Boxer” both years. Burnside says that his boxer is finally taking a serious approach once he arrives at the gym.

“Mike has been in and out of the gym, but is finally dedicating himself to the sport. Because of that dedication I expect him to do well on Saturday night,” Burnside said. “For 165 pounds he’s big, strong and a brawler who can flat out box. All I told him was to take his time in the first round and then let it go, all the while looking for the right opening.”

There will also be nine fighters making the trek from Detroit who are representing Ajahmi’s Hype Athletic Center.

Also on the card are fighters from Akron, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New Castle, Pa.

A 10-bell count will take place at intermission in honor of Ajahmi, Alex Palumbo, Sr. and Joseph Mazzocca, Sr.

Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $30 for VIP. Tables are available for $300 and $400.

Tickets are available at Patsy’s Bar and Grill, Bobby Clemens’ Wine Cellar, One-Stop Beverage and Jensen Lock and Alarm.

Further information may be obtained by calling Cordell at 330-717-4201 or Cefalde at 330-610-2306.