Local fighters to participate in ‘March Badness’

February 19, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

A 12-bout amateur card featuring boxers from three area gyms is set for March 4 at St’s. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Center on North Belle Vista in Youngstown.

Titled “March Badness” and sponsored by Lights Out Management and J.L. Ellis Commercial, Industrial and Residential Construction, the event will assist in fundraising efforts for the area’s Rescue Mission and the Frank Kaydo Sr. athletic scholarship at Youngstown State.

Kaydo’s son, Frank Jr., is an Austintown native who played football for the Penguins from 1996-99 and was a member of its 1997 Division I-AA national championship and 1999 runner-up squads.

“This is the first of three shows that we hope to do in 2017 and to date, have donated over $54,000 to the area’s needy and a variety of non-profit organizations,” said Mike Cefalde of Lights Out Management. “We have 12 very competitive bouts with all boxers evenly matched. The good thing about this card is the fact that all area gyms are expected to take part as they showcase some of the top amateur boxing talent from the area.”

Also expected to take part are fighters from Akron, Ashtabula, Cleveland, and Columbus, as well as those from Pittsburgh and Detroit gyms.

The main event will pit Akron’s David Rodriguez against Hussein Bilal of Detroit in a 152-pound pairing with two co-mains also slated.

In one co-main event, Chris Young (Downtown Boxing Club) will take on Isaiah Brewer of Cleveland in a heavyweight pairing while the other co-main will have Isaac Chatman, also of Downtown B.C. going up against Zi Stalnacker of Akron at 135 pounds.

Brian Sims, also of Downtown B.C., will meet Cleveland’s Corey Orahoske in a scheduled 160 pound match-up.

“The card is almost finalized with all fighters anxious and ready to get into the ring,” Lights Out Management matchmaker Tom Cordell said. “It’s a very competitive card and once again, set to benefit two very good causes.”

The event will also honor four area boxing notables who have made a name for themselves and continue to give back to the game.

Set to be honored are Sam Calderon, Lou O’Neil, Bobby Plegge and Craig Snyder.

Calderon (12-7-1, 4 KO’s), a super middleweight, is a Campbell native and longtime trainer for the Downtown Boxing Club who won his first 10 professional fights and also appeared on HBO Boxing.

O’Neil is a longtime contributor and ex-amateur champion while Plegge (24-23-1 10, KO’s), nicknamed the “Salem Bomber,” was a welterweight who fought former WBA, NABF and Ohio State lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.

Snyder (18-8, 10 KO’s), a middleweight who is a boxing historian and author, fought Adrian Dodson for the WBO Inter-Continental super welterweight title in 1995.

Upon completion of the card, former Chaney High School athlete Tony “The Legend” DiMuzio will take part in a featured bout against an opponent yet to be determined.

Other sponsors include M&C Construction, Comfort Keepers, California Palms, City Printing, Banner Supply and Mobile Bail Bonds.

VIP ringside seats are $50, general admission tickets are $15 with tables of eight ranging from $400 for prime tables and $300, also for tables of eight.

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

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