Outdoor boxing show to benefit dog charity

June 11, 2017 at 12:07a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Pairings are being finalized for the 15-bout amateur boxing show, an outdoor card, on June 24 at St.’s Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Center, 1025 North Belle Vista Ave.

Entitled “Punching for Paws,” proceeds generated will be earmarked for the area’s Friends of Fido.

The event is co-sponsored by Brandy Lynn and Michael Simon in conjunction with J.L. Ellis Construction Company and Lights Out Management.

Mahoning Valley politicians Ken Carano, Jim Davis, David Ditzler, John McNally, Carol Rimedio-Righetti and Anthony Traficanti will be honored.

“This particular boxing card has generated the most response of any of our previous shows and to me, that’s very exciting,” said Mike Cefalde, Sr. of Lights Out Management. “Our first show this year aided the Rescue Mission and since we announced that this show would benefit Friends of Fido and the new Mahoning Dog Pound, there has been a ton of interest.

Cefalde said past shows have raised more than $60,000 for area charities and non-profit organizations.

“We expect this show to do just as well,” Cefalde said.

Area gyms represented are Downtown Boxing Club, Burnside Athletic Club, Jack Loew’s South Side Boxing Club and Ron Jackson’s Salem Boxing Club.

Boxers on the card include Isaac Chatman (135 pounds), Brian Sims (160 pounds) and Les Horvath, Jr. (180 pounds), R.J. Dolwick (150 pounds), Rohdell Franklin (180 pounds) and Tarius Wolfe (185 pounds) from Downtown B.C.

Mike Sullivan 160 (pounds) and Anthony Infante (heavyweight) represent Burnside B.C. while Jeff Felger (170 pounds) trains out of Salem B.C.

“This is going to be a very competitive card and will include some of the area’s top amateur fighters,” said Tom Cordell, Lights Out Management matchmaker.

Lisa Hill of Poland represents the Friends of Fido group.

“I cannot tell you how excited we are that Lights Out Management cared enough to want to lend a helping hand and assist our group,” said Lisa Hill of Friends of Fido. “We volunteer and assist with fund-raisers, which help the dogs with their medical needs and many other incidentals that the pound can use as they lend support to our canine friends.

Hill said all funds raised are earmarked for the new dog pound.

Dianne Fry, Mahoning Country dog warden, said, “We’re both pleased and honored to be a part of this boxing show and very excited with Lights Out Management’s generosity.

General admission tickets cost $15 and VIP tickets are priced at $25. Tables of eight range in price from $300-$400.

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

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