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Lights Out fight show to benefit Gary Housteau’s cancer battle
Housteau has battled
cancer since March
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Boxers from four area gyms, as well as Akron, Cleveland and Pittsburgh will highlight the upcoming Lights Out Management amateur boxing show, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30 at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Center, 1025 North Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.
Entitled “Housteau Nation, United We Stand” and presented in conjunction with both Banner Supply and City Printing, the 12-bout card is a fundraiser for Vindicator sports correspondent Gary Housteau as he battles stage IV liver cancer.
“I have known Gary for over five decades, coached him when he played youth football and followed his media career. We are excited to be able to help out during this trying time,” Lights Out Management’s Mike Cefalde said. “Over the past several years, we’ve done a variety of shows that have raised over $70,000 for area non-profit groups and organizations. Gary’s a fighter and we’re just hoping that this will be our largest fundraiser yet as he continues his courageous battle with this dreaded disease.”
Brian Sims and Isaac Chatman of Downtown Boxing Club, Ryan Williams and Ashton Owens of South Side Boxing Club, Kevin Philomena, Nate Cordova and Drew Smith of Burnside Athletic Club and Salem Boxing Club are the local fighters and gyms featured. The 125-pound pairing between Williams and Philomena is expected to be one of the featured bouts.
“We still have a few slots to fill and are awaiting confirmation from several other fighters who have expressed interest in being a part of the card. I can assure you that it will be highly competitive with each bout evenly paired,” matchmaker Tom Cordell said. “It’s an honor to be able to be able to lend a helping hand to one of the area’s great sportsmen, so let’s all take part as we help K.O. cancer.”
Diagnosed on March 23, Housteau had surgery the following day to remove his colon, receiving the news then that a lesion was found on his liver.
Two weeks later and into the healing process, a PET scan revealed that his colon cancer was in fact stage IV and had now traveled to his liver.
“I have already had nine, three-day chemo sessions with three more remaining, which will be completed in mid-October,” Housteau said. “My doctor told me that the PET scan I had back on Sept. 4 showed a significant reduction, so that was encouraging. I’ll have another PET scan when I am done with all 12 rounds, but things are great so far. I still get tired on days that I have chemo, so I try to go and work out in order to stay occupied.
“The colostomy bag reminds me of this daily fight, but other than that things are great and I feel pretty good.”
Friends have also stepped up, helping by keeping Housteau busy during his daily routine.
“I have this ‘bucket list’ and have been able to cross off several entries,” Housteau said. “One of my Adrian College football teammates, Mike Duffy, made sure that I saw a NASCAR event this summer at the Michigan International Speedway while on Oct. 21, another teammate [Steve Dembowksi] is making sure that I experience the Tennessee at Alabama football game. It just happens to be a bye week for Ohio State.”
Housteau is appreciative of everyone’s efforts.
“Everyone has just been so gracious and helpful. My daughter Chloe, wife Angela, brother Ray, sister Char and their families, my mother Rosemary and so many friends, it has been so very humbling,” he said. “Having been to several Lights Out Management shows, I cannot thank them enough for what they are doing. Mike is a longtime friend and everyone has just been so generous since this all started back in March.”
General admission tickets are $15 with VIP tickets $25.
Tables of eight range from $300-$400.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight at 7 p.m.
Further information can be obtained by calling either Cefalde at 330-787-4228 or Cordell at 330-717-4201.