Valley boxers ready to ‘Defend the Foundation’ Saturday

October 8, 2018 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

A 12-bout amateur fight card is set for Saturday with 10 local hopefuls set to take part at the Ukrainian Orthodox Banquet Center, 1025 North Belle Vista Ave.

Presented by Lights Out Management and titled “Defend the Foundation,” a portion of the proceeds are earmarked for the Joe “Red” Mazzocca Kidney Foundation.

The night will also honor four area sports notables, including Brian Danilov, Tom Repasky, Rusty Rosenberger and Wayne Zetts.

“This is a very competitive card, one of the most competitive that we have put together. Also, quite a few local boxers have been training hard, are set, ready to go and cannot wait to show the fans what they can do once they enter the ring,” Lights Out Management’s Mike Cefalde said.

“The event is also for a very good cause — the Red Mazzocca Kidney Foundation — so we are excited and ready to get the matches underway.”

Local fighters expected to take part hail from Downtown Boxing Club, Jack Loew’s South Side Boxing Club, Salem Boxing Club, Burnside Athletic Club and Farrell’s Raw Boxing and Fitness.

“This particular card has a nice local flavor and we are hoping that area fans come out and support their efforts,” matchmaker Tom Cordell said. “We are honoring four great local sports stars and it’s for an excellent cause, the Kidney Foundation.”

Three boxers from Downtown Boxing Club are set, including Brian Sims at 160 pounds, Isaac Chatman at 135 pounds and Greg Willacher, who weighs in at 170 pounds.

Loew’s South Side Gym will be featuring Jacorian Dent, a 90-pound puncher, and 80-pound scrapper Juan Jaurequi.

Trainer Keith Burnside will be overseeing his two boxers, Nate Cordova, a 147 pounder who is quick on his feet and with his fists, and super heavyweight Rob Wolford (230 pounds) while Salem Boxing Club’s representatives include Colton Schneider at 160 pounds and Izik Collins, a hard-hitting 130 pounder.

Cordova will be one of the night’s main events and is scheduled to meet Nate Willingham of Pittsburgh’s Third Avenue Gym.

Rounding out the local contingent will be Tyree Odom, a 135 pound fighter from Farrell who trains at Cliff Gregory’s Raw Boxing and Fitness.

Event sponsors include Giannios Candy Company, One Stop Shop, Cornersburg Cuts, First Choice Sales and Rentals, Jensen Lock and Alarm, City Printing, Chuck’s Auto Wrecking and Schiavoni, Schiavoni, Bush and Muldowney Co., LPA.

General admission is $15 and VIP rate is $25, with tables of eight available for $300 and $400.

For more information, call Mike Cefalde, 330-787-4228, or Tom Kordell, 330-717-4201.