Jack Loew's boxing shows success

By GREG GULAS

sports@vindy.com

NORTH LIMA

For the past 30 years, local boxing trainer and promoter Jack Loew has staged a multitude of amateur and pro-am shows that attracted overflow audiences.

During the Curbstone Coaches’ weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center, he said his three shows this year were each well-received while his pro-am card featuring Popo Salinas last March’s was his best-ever, attendance-wise.

He added that November’s ‘Season Beatings’ was also one of his better shows, attracting a full crowd to St. Lucy’s Palermo Center in Campbell.

“The one thing I learned over the years is that you don’t necessarily need a headliner as much as you need a gimmick,” Loew said. “It might be Ohio vs. New York, Cleveland vs. Youngstown or something along those lines because people respond to that. I’ve been very fortunate in that the sponsors and those who regularly attend my cards enjoy those types of shows.”

Loew’s March show was also the last time Salinas (9-2, 8 KO’s) fought when he dropped a unanimous decision to Sulaiman Segawa (11-2, 4 KO’s), who was undefeated in nine bouts at the time of the fight.

“I called Popo in after the fight and told him to take a break and to re-evaluate what he wanted out of this sport,” Loew added. “Boxing isn’t a game. It’s a tough sport, and you can get hurt if you don’t train right. Popo is very religious, has no outside vices but wasn’t giving me the 120 percent necessary when it comes to training.

“I’ve been to the top of the mountain and I know what it takes to get there. Popo wasn’t giving what was necessary to get to the top of that mountain.”

After stepping back and going through what Loew described as gut-check time, Salinas returned to Loew’s gym at the end of July and has been preparing for his next fight, which will take place almost a year to the date of his loss to Segawa.

“We just signed with Rising Star Promotions out of Atlantic City and Popo has been back in the gym training really hard,” Loew stated. “The February date has yet to be determined, but Popo will meet Matt Doherty (8-7-1, 4 KO’s) of Danvers, Massachusetts. When he came back we had a long talk and since that time, he’s been training like the junior lightweight world champion that I think he can become.”

Loew noted that his amateur trainer at South Side Boxing Club, Vinnie O’Neill, made an excellent return to the ring during his November show.

“For being almost 40 years old and returning after a 43 month lay-off, Vinnie did a tremendous job,” he said. “His fight made the night.”

After the holidays, Loew’s SSBC group will be sending 10 boxers to the upcoming Cleveland district Silver Gloves, set for January 4-6. Winners advance to regionals, which takes place January 18-20 while nationals are set for February 1-3.

He will also be sending two boxers to the Cleveland Golden Gloves, which takes place April 5-6 at Brook Park Recreation Center. Finals are April 12-13.

Loew is also set to team with his former middleweight champion, Kelly Pavlik, for an amateur show that will aid the Rescue Mission.

“We already did a show this year for the Rescue Mission as they raise money for a new place. I must say that it was a real eye-opener for me,” Loew stated. “The date has yet to be determined but probably will take place early in the year.”

The organization will break for the holidays, resuming on January 7 when they honor the area’s fall high school state champions.