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Loew: After Season’s Beatings come Silver Gloves bouts
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
Local trainer Jack Loew called Friday’s annual “Season’s Beatings” boxing card the best of the three that he has promoted.
With 30 boxers currently in his gym and a super featherweight contender in Popo Salinas just chomping at the bit to maintain the momentum they’ve generated, the Holiday Season will be anything but a holiday break for Loew.
“We’ve received plenty of nice comments and feedback about Friday’s card, especially the fact that each bout was competitive,” Loew told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly gathering at Avion Banquet Center.
“Those in attendance saw some young kids who are set now to carry on the tradition and style of our area for many years to come.”
Loew heaped praise on his 8-year-old fighter Juan Jauregui, who won his 63-pound matchup with Pittsburgh’s Suolja Cook.
“In Juan, the crowd witnessed an 8-year-old who has more skill, poise and competitiveness than most current open division fighters,” Loew said.
Up next for Loew and his stable of boxers is the Silver Gloves, set for the first week in January in Cincinnati.
“We’re probably going to take five fighters to Cincinnati with the regional semifinals slated for Philadelphia, then the finals in Kansas City,” he said. “It’s a special event, draws a lot of top talent and one in which everyone looks forward to taking part.”
As for Salinas, he is currently 9-1 in 10 professional fights with eight wins coming by KO. His only setback came at the hands of Oscar Duarte (Sept. 18, 2015) by split decision almost 27 months ago to the day in Los Angeles.
Since that time he has won six consecutive fights, of which two opponents retired, two by TKO, another by KO and his most recent pairing with Duarn Vue by unanimous decision this past September 26.
That fight took place in Las Vegas, was televised by Fox Sports and answered a lot of questions that Loew had of his rising star.
“Popo is 22 years old, was fighting someone 31 years of age and the fight went the distance. If that was the best that we will see of Popo, then we’re in trouble,” Loew said. “Fortunately, Popo knows that he has to keep getting better. He’s a rarity in that he is a hard worker and someone who is dedicated to the sport. A lot of great fighters had some vices outside the ring.
“Popo does not. He has a lot to work on but the key is that he is willing to put in the time and effort in order to get better, which is why his future is very bright. Against Vue, I wanted to see what was going to happen when he hit him on the chin but failed to go down. Vue pushed him and made him fight every minute of every round. He doesn’t have to pass the public or fans’ test, he has to pass mine and that he absolutely did.”
Currently ranked No. 12 in the United States and No. 69 in the world in his weight class, Salinas’ next test hopefully comes on Feb. 13 in Reading, Pa., when he takes on hometown favorite Frank De Alba (22-2-2), currently ranked No. 3 in the United States and No. 29 in the world.
It is now in De Alba’s corner as to whether the fought materializes.
“We’ve accepted Marshall Kaufman’s terms and we’ll move forward without a promoter. It’s just a chance that we have to take,” Loew said. “Of De Alba’s 22 fights, there’s only nine by KO but he’s fought some really tough opponents. He gets stronger as the fight progresses, is relentless, comes forward, throws a lot of punches and at age 30 has a lot of experience.
“Plus, he’s a lefty and that’s a whole different training regimen. If I didn’t have confidence in Popo, I would not have taken this fight so now it’s up to them.”
The Curbstone Coaches will break for the Christmas Holiday and when they return on Jan. 8, Youngstown State golf coach Tony Joy will serve as guest speaker.