Gibson moves up for victory

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Austin Gibson, Nate Cordova and Andre Henderson were the three local fighters victorious at Saturday’s Fight Night at Se7en Nightclub.

For his efforts, Gibson, fighting out of Downtown Boxing Club, was named the night’s Most Valuable Fighter.

Gibson survived a second-round eight-count for a decision over Jakob Condon of Canton, who fell to 1-1.

“I was nervous coming into this fight because it was my first time fighting at 165 pounds. I usually fight at 140 pounds,” Gibson said. “I was jabbing up and down his body and using my right because he was leaving himself open. I’ve been sparring with Jake Giuriceo and Darnell Boone and they really helped prepare me for this fight.”

Condon agreed with the decision.

“He had a lot of heart and forced me to fight his fight,” Condon said. “I wanted to box, he wanted to brawl. I put all my heart into this fight and would welcome a rematch. It was a good decision by the judges.”

Cordova, a Burnside A.C. veteran, defeated Nate Willingham of Downtown B.C. by decision in a 147-pound pairing for his seventh win in 10 outings.

“My trainer, Efrain Garcia, told me to be the hunter. I wanted to counter what he does, but found out early I couldn’t, so I had to change my game plan,” Cordova said. “I was pleased with my effort. I got hit in the head more than I wanted but feel all right.”

Henderson, also of Burnside A.C., made a successful debut at 190 pounds with a first-round KO over Lance Bass (0-3) of Cleveland.

“I hit him with a right hand and then a jab,” Henderson said. “I just caught him right. I never try for a knockdown, I just want to fight. If it comes, it comes.”

In the opening bout of the evening, a Junior Olympic 60-pound pairing, Lorain’s Stephon Black made a successful debut with a decision over Kylvyn Redding of Columbus, who was also making his ring debut.

In the first of two 70-pound pairings, Jesse Urbina of Toledo improved to 20-13 with a decision over Pittsburgh’s Soulja Cook while Cruz Cunningham (3-1) of Pittsburgh scored a decision over Akron’s Jayvon Jackson (3-1) to hand him his first loss.

At 135, it was Devon Lewis (2-0) of Toledo scoring a decision over Jose Diaz of Columbus in the latter’s debut.

“My coach kept telling me to hit him in the body so that he wouldn’t have space to breathe,” Lewis said. “He was a tough opponent and I felt like we both fought a good fight.”

A 105-pound pairing had Akim Robinson (3-1) of Cleveland post a split decision over Orlando Overstreet (2-8) of Toledo. At 141, Ferris Dixon (38-13) of Toledo earned a decision over Khali Abdulah (60-11) of Cleveland.

“I literally depended on my jab the whole fight,” Dixon said. “When I needed to reach down and for a little extra, it was my jab that I went to.”

In a highly anticipated heavyweight fight, Cleveland’s Bryan Gedeon (5-3) asserted himself early and often against Patrick Failor (0-3) of Canton. Referee Wilfredo Osorio stopped the fight 36 seconds into the second round.

James Braxton (27-10) of Pittsburgh scoring a decision over Akron’s Kemp Tarver (14-16) at 140 pounds.