Boxing beer and bikes coming to Niles dealership
By Greg Gulas
NILES
A 15-bout outdoor amateur fight card titled “Boxing, Beers and Bikes” will be presented Saturday evening by Johnny K’s Powersports, 430 Youngstown-Warren Road.
Promoted in conjunction with Lights Out Management, the city of Niles will present a proclamation declaring July 28 “Rusty Rosenberger Day” with proceeds set to benefit the Animal Welfare League.
“Everyone’s been there, done that with bike nights and while the bikes will still be on display, we’ve now added a boxing show with plenty of food, beverages and bikes for everyone to enjoy,” said Don Dragish of Johnny K’s Powersports. “I have attended multiple fights presented by Lights Out Management over the past several years and felt that this was the right time to try something different. At the same time, we’re honoring one of the area’s very best boxers in Niles’ own Rusty Rosenberger.”
On display will be motorcycles and off-road power sports equipment, as well as the newest Indian motorcycles. The Kawasaki line, Can Am 3-wheel Spyder and Roxor (made by Mahindra) will also be showcased.
“This is going to be a fun night, something really new for both Niles and the entire Mahoning Valley,” Dragish said. “Rusty’s family is going to be bringing their ice cream truck and if this goes well, we’d really like to do it again. We just opened our new location in Elyria and hope to expand our shows to that area and Cleveland as well.”
Boxers from Downtown Boxing Club, South Side B.C., Struthers’ Burnside Athletic Club and New Castle are local entries with the card also attracting fighters from Ashtabula, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toledo and Toronto (Ohio).
“Lights Out Management would like to thank Johnny K’s for affording us the opportunity to assist in such a very special show, “ matchmaker Tom Cordell said. “We have multiple brothers from different teams set and ready to go while honoring one of the very best area boxers in Rusty Rosenberger.
“Rusty has racked up numerous Golden Gloves titles over the years between Youngstown and West Virginia, won multiple tournaments throughout the country as well as the New Jersey state middleweight title, so we’re all pleased that he will be recognized by his hometown with a day named in his honor.”
General Admission is $15, VIP $25 with a table of eight $400.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at Johnny K’s Powersports in Niles, or by calling 330-544-9696.