Gulas: Loew, fighters to return to ring

An eight-bout professional fight card presented by Jack Loew and South Side Boxing Club will take place March 26 at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Center, 1025 North Belle Vista Ave.

Loew’s “March Madness” event is an all-pro card that will include seven fighters from his South Side B.C. and will also be the first card since his December “Season’s Beatings” event, which resulted in the untimely death of Detroit boxer Hamzah Ajahmi.

“It’s about keeping my promise to present three or four events like this each year as we continue to keep boxing alive in the area,” Loew said. “It has been tough to get going since our last time out, but now it’s time to move forward. The longer I sat, I probably would not have done a show but I talked to Anthony [Taylor], he’s ready to go, I’m ready to go and it will be great just to get everyone together and back into the ring.”

Campbell’s Jake “The Bull” Giuriceo, (18-5-1, 5 KO’s), a member of Burnside Athletic Club and trained by Keith Burnside, is the main event with Loew’s Alejandro “Popo” Salinas the co-feature.

“Jake is an exciting boxer, a come-ahead type fighter who goes all-out every time he gets into the ring,” Loew said. “People love him, he’s a fan favorite and deserves to be the main attraction.”

Giuriceo will go up against Evincii Dixon (7-13-1, 2 KO’s) of Lancaster, Pa., at 145 pounds in the night’s only eight-round match-up.

“I can tell you that my opponent is taller and likes to fight, so I expect to go shoulder to shoulder the entire fight,” Giuriceo said. “The entire card is very competitive and I am looking forward to once again fighting inn my hometown. Our fans are the greatest.”

Salinas (4-1, 4 KO’s) is set to take on Jairo Vargas-Fernandez (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Mechanicsville, Va., in a six-round, co-feature at 130 pounds.

“Popo will definitely be tested by Vargas-Fernandez as he is undefeated and looking to make a name for himself,” Loew said. “It’s time that we step up as well to see in what direction we are headed. Popo is working out at Dunner’s Iron Man Gym as well and in addition to sparring, has stepped up his running in Mill Creek Park and his cardio and physical conditioning.”

Salinas, who last fought in December, says that he is al set.

“I have been training very hard and right now feel like the Incredible Hulk,” he said. “I feel like I can take on anyone that I am matched with.”

Vic Toney, whom Loew calls one of the most athletic, well-rounded fighters that he has ever trained, goes up against Jerry Dyer (2-2, KO) of Charleston, W.Va., in a six-round, 165 pound match-up.

“We’ve given some boxers an opportunity to meet Vic, but they’ve turned us down so until then we will fight whomever the Ohio Athletic Commission approves,” Loew said. “It’s only a matter of time before he breaks out.”

Toney is just anxious to fight.

“Jerry is a tough man competitor and I will be fighting at my heaviest weight, going up 15 pounds just to get back into the ring,” Toney said. “I don’t see that as a problem, however, as I am ready to go.”

Taylor will take to the ring against an opponent yet to be decided, his second professional fight after defeating the late Ajahmi.

“Anthony is ready to move forward and we’re still on track with his training. He was ready to fight in February, which was our next scheduled show so he definitely wants to get back into the ring,” Loew stated. “I don’t know how he will react and he doesn’t know how he will react going back to the same venue and ring as December’s tragedy. Who knows what emotions he will have, but he is strong and will do just fine.”

The 114-pound Taylor said he is as ready as he could be and wants to get back into the ring.

“I’m ready and cannot wait to get going,” Taylor said. “I have high hopes and have been training extra hard so I am definitely set.”

In other action featuring local fighters, Lavelle Hadley (2-0, 2 KO’s) will meet Larry Stampley of Baton Rouge, La., in a 154-pound scrap, Cyrano Clay (1-0) is set to take on Adrian Washington in the Lancaster, Pa., native’s debut at 195 pounds while Wesley Triplett (3-0, KO) and Jermaine Franklin (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Saginaw, Mich., square off in the night’s heavyweight clash.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $50 ringside and further information can be obtained by calling 330-501-5713 or 330-501-0882.

Gates open at 6 p.m. with the first fight hitting the bell at 7:30 p.m.

Greg Gulas covers boxing and combat sports for The Vindicator. Write him at sports@vindy.com