GULAS: Amateur card to honor Meshel

A 12-bout amateur card honoring former state Senator Harry Meshel is set for Oct. 1 at California Palms Hotel, 1051 North Canfield Road, Austintown.

The event, sponsored by Lights Out Management, California Palms and Sebastiani Trucking, is entitled “One More Round” with proceeds earmarked for the area’s Agency on Aging.

Five former world champions from the area and three local IBC title holders will be on hand to honor Meshel.

“Harry has been such an integral part of the Mahoning Valley’s sports and political history for quite some time, so this is a fitting tribute and long overdue honor for a man who has always been there in so many ways for boxing,” Lights Out Management’s Mike Cefalde said. “Because he has been there for all of us, we’d like to make this night very special and one that he will always remember.”

Meshel, who helped create the Ohio Boxing Commission (now known as the Ohio Athletic Commission), has served as supervisor for the International Boxing Council since 1994.

“This is truly one of the extraordinary honors that I have ever received,” Meshel said. “I’ve loved boxing since I was 12 years old while growing up on the East side of town with the likes of Red D’Amato, Bobby Bell, Willie Wright and Ricky Ronci, and they were the fighters just in my neighborhood.

“It was an absolutely great time for all of us,” Meshel said. “I’ve been all around the world and can honestly tell you that we were the first community in the country to get a European education.

“We learned everyone’s traditions first hand because we lived and played with one another and continually looked out for each other.”

Meshel is a past chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party and recently completed a nine-year term as a Youngstown State University trustee, an appointment made by then Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007.

The all-amateur card will feature 12 local fighters from the Downtown Boxing Club, Salem Athletic Club and Burnside A.C. with both two- and three-minute round pairings.

The main event will pit Isaac Chatman of Downtown Boxing Club against Akron’s Zi Stalnacker in a 135-pound scrap.

Former World Champions expected to attend include lightweight title holder Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini (29-5, 23 KOs), middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (40-2, 34 KOs), bantamweight Greg “The Flea” Richardson (31-8-1, 4 KOs), lightweight Harry Arroyo (40-11, 30 KOs) and cruiserweight champ Jeff Lampkin (39-19-1, 34 KOs).

“Where do I begin about Harry?” Pavlik said. “No matter the fighter, circumstance or situation, he has always been there to support our local fighters.

“He keeps busy, even today at his age,” Pavlik said. “He’s someone who has left his mark in sports, politics and academics and those have been really big marks.”

Mancini noted that Meshel has lived and been a huge part of the history of the Mahoning Valley.

“Harry is one of the foremost authorities on the history of Youngstown, simply because he has lived most of it,” Mancini said. “I love him for the many things he has done, not just for me, my father and family but for everyone on the local boxing scene.

“If there was a Prime Minister of Youngstown, Harry would be the one to own that title.”

Arroyo called Meshel one of the true gentlemen of the Mahoning Valley.

“He’s a man of his word, says what he means and means what he says,” Arroyo said. “He’s donated countless hours toward bettering our sport and is always there when needed.”

Lampkin said that if there is a boxing event, expect to see Harry Meshel nearby.

“If there is an event, Harry is front and center and always one to lend his support and backing in order to ensure its success,” Lampkin said. “He’s passionate about boxing and really cares about the boxers and their well-being.”

The three IBC champions are Craig “The Kid” Kikta (16-2, 8 KOs), Ken “The Cobra” Sigurani (22-3, 8 KOs) and Etianne “E.T.” Whitaker (33-32-2, 21 KOs).

Kikta is a welterweight champion, Sigurani a welterweight title holder and Whitaker a light heavyweight champ.

“Harry was on the IBC committee when I won my title and that was a very special moment for me,” Kiktasaid. “He’s an all-around good guy who has contributed so much to our sport.”

Tickets cost $15 and $23 with tables of eight ranging from $300-$400.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first fight hitting the bell at 7 p.m.

Further information may be obtained by calling Tom Cordell at 330-717-4201 or Cefalde at 330-787-4228.

Greg Gulas writes about boxing for The Vindicator. Email him at sports@vindy.com