Fight Night from the Cathedral Hall

Spring Slugfest V from Integrity Fighter Promotions from the Cathedral Hall in Oakland had another action-packed card on March 12th, featuring fan favorites and challenging out-of-towners across five professional fights and one exhibition.

Congratulations to the two fighters in the exhibition, Ashey Harner and Donya Shodja, on a great show to begin the night.

The main event of the evening was Basyzbak Baratov (5-1-2 1 KO) and Alexander Castellano (6-1 2 KO), an 8 round fight for the Appalachain Boxing Organization Featherweight Championship.

Both fighters had loud supporters. Baratov had many people from his native country, Kyrgyzstan, cheering him and Castellano brought a vocal portion from Buffalo.

Baratov and Castellanos have made their mark in Pittsburgh over the last year, Baratov has two wins in Pittsburgh and Castellano had an impressive victory in January.

It was a fun bout to watch, both traded winning rounds to begin the fight, in Round 3, Baratov would try to move the fight in close, while Castellano would try to beat his with long hooks from distance. Anytime Baratov got traction, he would wisely clinch and get the fight firmly in his control.

Sensing he was down in the fight, Baratov was more aggressive in Round 6, using his jab more and his opponent used the jab to get his hooks around Baz’s guard. Baratov and Castellano did enough to make it snug in the final two rounds.

It felt like a strong final round was the difference, as Baratov sensed that he needed to win the round a little bit more. His attack had more fervor behind it. Castellano got a few hooks in to stay with it.

In the end, Castellano wins the title by majority decision, the bout scored 76-76, 78-74, and 77-75 in another good showing in Pittsburgh.

The night kicked off with Johnny Spell (5-0 3 KO)wasting no time with his opponent for the night, Jonatan Godoy (5-13) of Argentina, in a lightweight bout scheduled for six rounds. Godoy came in 3 pounds overweight, but the fight was still on.

He used his entire arsenal, devastating hooks and punishing his opponent with body shots. He had three knockdowns in the first round, and the fight only continued because of a save by the bell.

You have to give credit to Godoy as he hung in there with an absolute hyena in Spell. The fourth knockdown happened towards the end of round two, but referee Ernest Sharif held off the post KO check to the bell.

Spell was awarded the victory by corner stoppage in the third round. A dominant performance by the Lightweight who’s going to continue making waves in June.

The second fight, a light welterweight battle between Rosalindo Morales (6-0) and Guadalupe Jimenez (5-5-1 4 KO)was another electrifying fight.

Morales attacked his opponent with huge left hooks and made sure he felt every single one of them. Jimenez survived and threw his own hooks but Morales caught his opponent with a left hook to the liver wrapping his first career win by knockout and the first half of the card as we quickly went to intermission.

The second half of the night is where the fights went the full distance. Lucas Adams (2-1) took on Tahlik Tayor (4-20-1 2 KO) in four-round light-heavyweight combat.

To start the fight it was Taylor on the attack swinging hard for but Adams dodging them. If he was able to connect on some of them the fight would have had a much different outcome. Both hooks from either hand looked devastating.

Adams got a nice body shot on him and played good defense waiting for his opportunity to catch him or his opponent tires out. Round 1 goes to Taylor for more aggression.

Round two continues around the same for Taylor, notably went for an uppercut and missed on his opponent. He caught a warning from Shariff and Adams continued to work the body with lefts and rights.

This round went to Adams for showcasing the skill, dodging through Taylor’s attacks.

In the third frame, Adams continues going for the body, feigning jabs to set up the attack. Taylor gets pieces of his hooks in on his American flag-clad opponent, who for the most part is working on the body and dodging a hook. The Butler native even got a hook in on the fighter from Durham, NC.

In round four, Taylor couldn’t quite fire like he did during the first and Adams is getting his jabs in. If it even felt like Taylor was starting to get free with his jabs, Adams would wisely hold him up.

I felt Adams adjusted very well from the salvos of Taylor and made his work in close before ducking out of harm from his heavy hooks. His opponent couldn’t get his shots in cleanly and didn’t change his approach.

The judges ultimately felt there was no clear-cut winner, ruling it a split decision draw. The scores went 39-37 for Adams, 39-37 for Taylor, and 38-38 for the draw.

Ring Announcer Matt Antonucci told the crowd the next Integrity Fighters Promotions card is June 18th at the Meadows Casino in Washington County. With Spell, Morales, and Baratov scheduled to compete.

Winter Mayhem Rings in a New Year for Pittsburgh Boxing

Only five fights punctuated Winter Mayhem, coordinated by Gionta management last month, but there was plenty of action at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Cheswick.

The most explosive fight was the co-feature lightweight match between “Ryizeemmion “The Humble Beast” Ford (6-1 4 KO) and Charles Clark (3-8-1 1 KO). The Alliance, OH product used his lightning-quick jab early and often, then transitioned to the body of his opponent from Texas.

Clark seemed like he had an answer for that, but a salvo in the last ten seconds forced Clark’s corner to throw the towel and end the fight at the first-round bell. Ford was awarded a first-round TKO for his outstanding performance.

Milton Jorge Andrade Jeremias (2-0 1 KO) and David Borias (0-4) clashed in a four-round super-featherweight contest to open the night. Boria would start each round hot, but Jeremias would come back and string together combos that seemed to stick with the judges over the balance of the rounds. 

Boria would make a more impactful third round searching for the victory by decision or knockout, but he also nets two takedowns. Jeremias would take control in the fourth round and earn a majority decision victory. The judges scored the fight 38-38, 39-37, and 39-37.

Staying in the super-featherweight division, Alexander Castellano (5-1 2KO) and Shawn Rall (1-4 1 KO) squared off next while staying in the super-featherweight division. 

The first round was a measured yet entertaining start for the crowd, showcasing skill and patience. Castellano set up feints with his punches beautifully and scored a nice hook and body punch in the round. 

The second had a better go for Rall, who pressured his opponent, but a Castellano caught him with a nice hook to the jaw over his guard. Overall that style of punch carried him through that round. The third and fourth rounds were more of the same, looking for a good punching lane.

Casellano was more successful but Rall had some moments that were capable for building a rally. Ultimately Castellano got the unanimous decision, with all 3 judges scoring the bout 40-36.

The third fight of the night proved how vast the heavyweight division is in the style of fighter, but the size as well. Anthony Holloway (3-2-2 3 KO) came in at 200 lbs, and his opponent Thomas Hawkins (4-9-1 1 KO)tipped the scale at 246 lbs.

Holloway was more than happy to chop the tree down, and that was the clincher for him. He could get punches off and wisely move away from Hawkins heavy-handed swings. The tide changer never came for the big guy who seemed to be looking for the moment.

Holloway’s activity and smart strategy secured him the unanimous decision, with all judges giving him 40-36.

During the intermission before the co-feature fight, Eric Lomax said a few words to the crowd during the intermission. He was scheduled to be on the card, but his fight was one of two fights to be called off. He certainly let everyone in attendance know that he’s ready for his next chance in the ring.

Also, during the intermission before the main event, Johnny Spell said hello to the crowd as well. He will be fighting on March 12th in Oakland on Integrity Fighter Management’s card.

Matt Conway(20-2 8 KO) versus Avery Sparrow (10-3 3 KO) was the main event of the evening. A 12 round scrap for the IBA Super Featherweight World Championship and the PA Super Featherweight Championship. 

Conway fighting in his hometown of Pittsburgh, comes into this fight on a three-fight win streak in 2021, capturing the IBA Super Featherweight Intercontinental title in June. Sparrow,  a Philadelphia native, was looking to bounceback from a two-fight losing streak.

Sparrow had some shining moments that kept it close, had this fight gone to decision as both combatants traded rounds between each other, it would have cut it close for the hometown fighter.

Round 10 opened with a sense of urgency from the two boxers. Conway started the round off hot with a good combo but Sparrow stayed in it with an answer that produced a slight wobble from him.

Conway settled down, but Sparrow led his opponent into the corner and another combo that produced another stagger and that was enough for the referee, Chris Riskus, to call an end to this bout. Sparrow was awarded the titles by TKO at 1:40 of the 10th round.

Conway was upset with himself in the immediate aftermath of the fight. Some of the hometown faithful voiced their displeasure as well.

The matchup was a classic title fight that had bth fighters in murky waters at points of the fight. Both should be proud of their efforts and Conway should be pleased with his overall effort.

As we move forward in 2022, the fights should heat up the boxing scene around Pittsburgh.

Battle at The Fairgrounds II: Pandemic Pandemonium

Story by Tyler Polk

Photos by Adam McQuaide

Battle at The Fairgrounds II at the Washington County Fairgrounds is the first professional boxing card in the region to host an event with 100 percent capacity allowed in the building.

When “Pretty” Richie Cantolina (6-0-1) made his entrance before the co-main event and knocked down Darryl “Dreamking” Bunting (4-9-2) twice in 44 seconds, the screams from the crowd sounded like a crowd at 130 percent capacity.

Pandemonium was at a full peak as Tim Shipley waved off the fight. Cantolina was hyped, beating on his chest, and D-Generation X style crotch chops were the celebration of choice.

At a glance, the celebration was due to the way everything happened after the bell had rung. Before the bell, things looked a little shaky at the weigh-in.

The fight at a catchweight of 169 pounds due to Bunting missing the planned weight of 165 pounds almost derailed the co-main event. Fortunately, it was able to go on after a re-weigh an hour later on Thursday.

I talked to Cantolina a few days before his fight. He said he wanted to showcase his technical abilities. He had enough to go six rounds with Bunting, but he wanted to end it in one or two rounds.

He only needed one round and did it by TKO in the most impressive showcase of the night.

The opening bout begins the night had quick action as well. First, a super featherweight clash as Shawn Rall (0-4) and Brandon Grimmett (0-2) were looking for the first wins of their career.

Grimmett, the Greensboro, NC native, made his third trip to Pittsburgh in four months.

As quick as the brawl started, it would end just as quickly. First, Rall sent Grimmett wobbly with a left hook. Greg Sirb, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission, felt that the fight should have stopped after Grimmett’s first stumble at around 30 seconds in.

Grimmet had at least two more stumbles around the ring as the action continued before Tim Shipley called off the fight with a TKO to Rall at 51 seconds in the first round.

The next fight-up, Joel De La Paz (10-1) and Latiss “No Love” Norman (4-6) T super middleweight.

With De La Paz’s 60 percent knockout rate in his wins, one expected to see some fireworks out of him. However, Norman is a gamer, and he proved it with his performance on Friday.

It seemed like De La Paz was patient and waiting for Norman to make mistakes. He had a three-hit combo that got the crowd going. However, there wasn’t a follow-up as Norman seemed to get free reign to search around his guard. Norman seemed like the better performer through two rounds.

In the third, La Paz got on some rolls, but Norman seemed to sense it and clinch or slow him down. La Paz started going to the body more to end the round. It felt like La Paz was still waiting in the fourth for the perfect strike. However, Norman wasn’t allowing perfection, and his defense controlled the fight.

La Paz got really active with his fighting in the final two rounds and, combined with his third, fifth, and sixth-round, was enough to earn the split decision draw. Judges scored the fight: 58-56 (La Paz), 58-56 (Norman), 57-57.

Ivan Hernandez (2-4-1) and Deon Goodlow (1-3) would battle next at super welterweight.

Goodlow got his jab working to begin the fight. Then, he spread out his attack through the first round, and when Hernandez would try to get going, Goodlow would answer right back. Thus, kicking off a solid first round for Goodlow.

Hernandez starts the second round flying, and the nickname “Hurricane” is apt as a flurry knocks out Goodlow’s mouthpiece. Goodlow would use left and right hooks to get back on track and focuses on the body to end the round strong.

Both would show patience to begin round 3. Goodlow got to work up close and went back to the jab in this round. Both fighters entertained with a brawl towards the end of the round that excited the crowd.

In round four, Goodlow showcased some defense, and his jab scored a wobble on Hernandez. Nevertheless, the jab would carry him through the rest of the round and the majority decision for Goodlow, with the judges scoring 38-38, 39-37, and 39-37.

A super featherweight fight between Ryziemmion Ford (3-1) and Ryan Venable (2-4) would be the final fight before the intermission.

Ford was looking for a bounceback victory in the same location where his first loss occurred. Both were figuring out their opponents. Ford was the more aggressive, scoring some shots on Venable. Ford would chase Vennable back when he came in close with some punches. A close round, but Ford seemed like the winner.

Ford would use his jab to start round two and came out firing and pressuring in close. Ford seemed to pick up momentum towards a knockdown. However, Venable sensed it clinching around the ropes to end a favorable round for Ford.

Round 3, “The Humble Beast,” was in control and looking to finish off Venable. Credit to his opponent for hanging in there. His ability to hang on is the reason that Ford didn’t end this before the fourth round. Venable unleashed one last flurry to end the round, but it was clear who would win this fight.

Round 4, Ford went for it and kept Vennable moving so much he lost his mouthguard from the pressure. Ford nearly caught him with an uppercut with evil intentions. Ford eventually caught him with a shot that got Venable woozy. Ford would pressure more catching with a short-range right uppercut that brought Venable down. He would get back up and hang on for the decision.

Ford won this fight unanimously, with the judges ruling it 39-36, 40-35, and 40-35.

Steve Smoger, the Chairman of Officials for the International Boxing Association and International Boxing Hall of Famer, was in attendance for the main event of the evening.

Matt “Sweet Child” Conway (18-2) vs. Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (38-26) for the IBA Intercontinental Super Featherweight Title.

Conway looked for his first title as a professional and showed against Perez, who had 30 wins by knockout.

The fight opened with Conway showing aggression and setting the tone against Conway. Perez hung in there, but Conway ends the first round with a nice combo.

Conway continued the aggression keeping Perez on the ropes. “Popeye” would attempt to force himself off the ropes to no avail. Finally, Conway would yield five straight shots on the ropes to Perez to highlight the end to another round for Conway.

Perez was more active than he was in the first two rounds, but Conway was forcing him back with his footwork and right hook. Perez would keep his distance, but Conway would trap him against the ropes again. Perez had a couple of 2-hit combos, but Conway answered them back.

In round four, Conway would again start hot. His movement controlled this fight and this round. Perez hangs in there, but every answer by him would be rebutted quickly. Perez couldn’t follow up when he got his opponent on the ropes. Conway landed a body shot and pop to the jaw on Perez near the end of the round.

In between rounds 4 and 5, Perez would call off the fight while in the corner. The relentlessness of Conway was too much. However, Perez did fight valiantly and showed some toughness.

Conway was declared the victor and new IBA Intercontinental Super Featherweight Champion.

Shortly after the announcement, Conway would bring his girlfriend Melissa into the ring and propose to her and said yes. Congrats to the couple, and the best of luck to them in the future.

He signaled his intentions on capturing the IBA World Championship in the future.

A Day At Conn-Greb Boxing Gym

The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world in March, a lot like a punishing left hook.

Boxing events like the return of the Pittsburgh Donnybrook and March Mayhem from Integrity Fighter Management and Conn Greb-Boxing Gym were canceled as the world dealt with the outcome.

Boxers from around the city have been staying ready for whatever and whenever the next opportunity will be coming.

Last time I was at Conn-Greb I talked to guys like Kel “Steel City” Smith, Lyubomyr ”The Demolition Man” Pinchuk and Oleh “The Ukraine Pitt-Bull” Dovhun. I did a phone interview with Johnny “TTG” Spell, in preparation for their fights in March and hopefully beyond.

A few weeks ago I went to the gym in Oakland to congratulate Mike McSorley and his two Ukrainian pugilists on getting a promotions deal with Star Boxing, based out of New York.

Oleh wasn’t at this session, but his fellow Ukrainian Lyubomyr was sparring today with Michael “The Pittsburgh Bull” Manna, who had a thrilling final fight last November.

Pinchuk was eying a move to the heavyweight division before the pandemic started, but a new look shaved head and a beard. He looks like a killer, though throughout the training session he jokingly said he was beautiful.

The two sparring opponents Pinchuk and Manna put on their gloves and went for a spirited two rounds.

It was good to see Manna spar again and with a fellow hard hitting heavyweight. Pinchuk was on the end of a bloddy nose at one point, but he continued his charging ways regardless. His shirt polka-dotted with blood he would catch Manna with a countering shot to the top of the head.

Manna would take a little bit of a break and Pinchuk would practice a little with McSorley before a couple rounds of sparring with another one of his trainers, Tom Dasta. Manna would come back to finish a few more sparring rounds to end the day.

Fall Fisticuffs II is Another Night of Action-Packed Boxing

Written and Photos taken on a Canon Rebel EOS T6i by Tyler Polk

Any card held by Integrity Fighter Promotions and Conn-Greb Boxing Club is a friendly atmosphere. Every interaction between people, be it boxer, promoter, attendee, photographer, or trainer. It looks more like a family reunion, than a night at the fights.

Fall Fisticuffs II last Saturday night at Printscape Arena at Southpointe was no exception, a packed card with seven fights that delivered excitement throughout the night.

The opening bout of the evening was a lightweight bout between Max Leasock, making his pro debut at the age of 19 with less than 24 hours' notice and MMA veteran Varon "Mighty Moe" Webb (0-4).

The fight was a tale of experience being a little too much. Round one, both combatants traded blows, Webb wins the round with a three-hit combo, and an excellent 1-2 as the highlights. Webb was initiating more offense throughout the fight and continued his run with round two.

Leasock would fight back, but Webb would counter. In round three, Leasock's corner was yelling, "Let's Go," urging him to throw straights. Leasock did jus that and forced Webb to switch up his attack.

In Round four, Webb caught Leasock for a knockdown, but the young man got up and continued to battle and finish the round. The decision was unanimous, with all three judges scoring the bout 40-35 in favor of Webb earning him his first win in professional boxing.

The next contest was the anticipated debut of "TTG" Johnny Spell facing Antonio Luciane in a four-round lightweight fight.

In short, TTG was ready to go (RTG) against Luciane. Spell had a couple of sweet three-hit combos. Though at one put, Spell had his opponent in the corner, Luciane battled out of the corner with three punches of his own.

It was a teachable moment as Spell entered the next round with a focused attack, attacking the body in between his opponent trying to get back on track.

Throughout most of the fight, he has shown himself to be a typical Mike McSorley fighter, putting combos together and pressuring Luciane (0-1). He would go on to end the fight with a TKO in the fourth round — a great start for the hometown fighter.

The third contest was a Junior Middleweight clash between Jordan "The Croatian Warrior" Zlacki (1-1) and Deon "The Bloodhound" Goodlow (1-2).

Both started the fight in a phonebooth. Zlacki was more aggressive, but Goodlow was keeping pace, giving the crowd some good action. Round two, the match remained close quarters, so much that referee Tim Shipley urged them to watch their heads in close. Zlacki threw sweeping right hooks into Goodlow's body throughout the round, winning the round and the next three as well.

Zlacki's swings were pretty vicious and, as previously stated, sweeping. It's like a geography lesson almost. They started so low; they looked like they would begin at Printscape, the old practice facility of the Penguins, to the new facility in Cranberry.

Both men were given a round of applause for an action-packed fight. Zlacki wins the battle with judges scoring 40-36, 39-37, and 40-36.

The final fight before intermission was an 8 round super-bantamweight contest between Oleg Dovhun (9-0) and Derrick Wilson (12-8-2).

This was indeed a fight for people who appreciates technique in boxing. Wilson had landed some shots that made it interesting early, but Dovhun starts settling in as the first round continues. He split the gloves of Wilson to land his shots.

As the fight continued into round two, it settled into an ideal fight by Dovhun's standards. He was freely moving around Wilson throwing and landing shots. His strategy wore down his opponent, with head and body shots. Dovhun scored a TKO in the third round, as Wilson staggered onto a knee from Dovhun's pressure.

After the intermission, our first championship fight of the night was for the Pennsylvania Cruiserweight Championship.

Lyubomyr "The Demolition Man" Pinchuk (11-1-1) vs. Garrett "The Ultimate Warrior" Wilson (18-16-1).

This fight had a spirited start. Pinchuk initiated early, but Wilson stuck with it through the first three rounds. Wilson had a nice dodge for a mini flurry in round three, but Pinchuk answered with streams of punches.

In round four, Pinchuk started to pull away, it would seem Wilson would try to get the blow that would swing the fight back his way, but it never happened. When he would get a few chances, Pinchuk would answer right back.

Wilson gave himself a chance, but the Ukrainian proved too much for him. Pinchuk caps off a busy 2019 with another win and another championship. The judges gave him a unanimous decision with scores of 78-74, 79-73, and 79-73.

A four-round super middleweight fight between Pittsburgh's "Pretty" Richie Cantolina and West Virginia's Brock Willis was dubbed the Backyard Brawl by ring announcer "The Lyrical Gangster" Matt Antonucci. But what transpired looked more like backyard wrestling.

The crowd was certainly on the side of Cantolina, coming out to Sweet Caroline. Both men engaged in a battle that had more takedowns and clinches than punches. The crowd was undoubtedly anxious for punches, not takedowns. It seemed like when Cantolina got going, Willis would go for clinches.

Referee Tim Shipley wanted less holds and more boxing before round three and briefly to begin the round they rained shots. Then another takedown sent Cantolina through the middle rope on his neck, boxing historian Douglas Cavanaugh being a few ringside people saving him from crashing through the table. Willis wasn't deducted a point for the takedown, and both competitors exchanged words at the bell.

Whoever fought cleaner in the final round without grappling would win this fight. Cantolina throws a shot, and Willis rushes in for a clinch, taking his opponent through the ropes. Again, no points were deducted. The crowd booed, over the excessive clinches and takedowns and unpleasantries rang through the building about state pride.

The crowd wanted Cantolina to knock out Willis, but the final round ends.

The decision was unanimous, 40-36, 39-37, 39-37 for Cantolina. After the fight, he took to the mic to announce his family was expecting their sixth child and a rousing speech urging people to make a difference in people's lives no matter their beliefs.

The final match of the night was for the Steel City Heavyweight Championship. Michael "The Pittsburgh Bull" Manna vs. Ryan Covert. Both men have combined to win five out of nine bouts. All five wins came by knockout.

"If the UFC can make up belts, we can, too," announced Antonucci. This fight is planned to be both men's last. Pride, memories are on the line.

Covert decked in American Flag trunks came out to "Real American," better known for being Hulk Hogan's WWE theme song. Before the bell rang, Manna received sing-song "Manna" chants from the crowd. There was a knockout coming, and the question would be who is on the receiving end and when would it happen.

Round one seemed like both men measured their opponent, setting up their go-to punch, sure to bring their opponent down and the house down.

In round two, it seemed like a repeat of round one was on the schedule, then Manna got his shot. A right hook, his trademark drops Covert to the canvas. To his credit, he got up almost immediately, but referee Gary Rosato called an end to the fight 14 seconds into Round 2.

A Hollywood ending for Manna, but many in the crowd disagreed with the decision, wanting to see if Covert would answer back or Manna strike again.
Through it all, this was the fight everyone wanted to see and ended the way everyone thought the night would end by knockout. Who would get the victory, was the question.

Both men were warriors in their careers and gave a great fight. Strong performances by all the competitors in the ring on Saturday.

Summer Slam Brings Exciting Fights and a Fun Night of Boxing

Written and Photos taken on a Nikon D3100 by Tyler Polk

Integrity Fighter Management and Conn-Greb Boxing Gym's Summer Slam brought another night of boxing to the Carnegie Library of Homestead for the first time since November 2017.

The first fight of the night was a super middleweight clash between Latiss "No Love" Norman (3-3) and Darryl "Dreamking" Bunting (3-5-2) gave a spirited start to the show. Norman lived up to his nickname. He brought the fight to Bunting early, with good early shots that caused him to stumble and accidentally wrestled down his opponent in the clinch.

Bunting would recover to end round one and would put on a better showing in round two with each man firing salvos in the corner. As the fight wore on in round three, Bunting would complete his comeback in the third round. After a strong start to the third for both men, Bunting gets a nice combo on Norman's body, knocking him down.

Referee Ernie Sharif called for the bell, giving Bunting a TKO victory at 2:25 in the third round.

The second fight of the night was between welterweights Danny Rosenberger (5-7-4) and Justin Johnson (6-20-6). This fight began with both men trading shots and picking spots. After a good shot by Johnson, the two fighters touched gloves with acknowledgment of "good hit" in round two. Afterward, the match got a little chippy.

In round three Johnson was given a two-point deduction by referee Chris Riskus for illegal contact on Rosenberger, frustrating him. Both men exchanged words to end that round. In round four a Rosenberger shot was viewed as a pushdown. The bought ends with both men jawing after the bell while getting their gloves removed.

Both men fought evenly throughout the fight showing why they accumulated many draws throughout their careers. However, the point deduction would cost Johnson, as Rosenberger won by decision with scores of 39-35, 38-36 and 40-34.

Next up, lightweights Kell Smith (1-2) and Edward Hatler (1-0) went to battle. Smith got off to a good start, Hattler matched him step for step with an even round one.

In round two, Smith was staying active with Golden Gloves winner Tika Hemmingway telling him to "Turn Up!" In round three, Smith took heed to her words, "Throw what you want, have fun!" He got a couple of good shots, but Hatler stays the course, giving him a chance to win in the final round.

The fourth round was again, mostly even. Smith made some moves, one of them being an excellent overhand right shot to Hatler. Hatler answered back, but it wasn't enough. Smith won the bout by decision, with the judges scoring 39-37, 39-37, 40-36 in his favor.

During the intermission, PA Announcer Matt Antonucci allowed Hemmingway and Travis Clark speak a few words to the crowd. Amateur boxing national champions Cruz Cunningham and Maximus Ruiz were honored for their accomplishments.

Our first title fight of the night was for the ABF Continental Super Bantamweight Championship. Oleg Dovhun (8-0) looked to defend his title against Vincent Jennings (6-7-2). It was a fight that showed the champion's ability. Dovhun fired more shots throughout the contest. The men in the corner of Jennings wanted the challenger to step up.

Anytime Jennings would manage to make some offense; it would be answered back by a Dovhun combo. Another story in the match was Dovhun's movement and boxing. He was frequently getting his opponent into the corners and on the ropes with ease. He had the most dominant performance of the night. Dovhun would get the victory in this fight, with the judges scoring the bout 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73.

Ryzimmeon Ford (1-0) and Shawn Rall (0-2) was a lightweight bout scheduled to go five rounds. Ford seemed like he wanted to make a statement tonight. Wearing black and white cow-spotted gear and coming out to the popular "Old Town Road Remix" by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, he certainly embedded himself into the mind of the crowd.

Both men came out swinging early, but Ford connected with a left jab to the body of Rall, knocking him down. It had the crowd buzzing about as loud as the bass of his walkout music. Referee Chris Riskus ruled the fight a TKO, giving the second official stoppage of the night at 1:27 in the first round. The moment of the night for sure belongs to Ford.

Our final title fight of the night was for the ABF Continental Cruiserweight Championship. Lyubomyr Pinchuk (10-1-1) looked for his third title defense against Johnnie Langston (7-0). In Pinchuk's corner was former two-time IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve "USS" Cunningham. His fifth fight in 2019 certainly was a thriller.

Both fighters would trade blows in the first two rounds, connecting on punches that got the crowd on their feet early. In round three Langston connected a hook to Pinchuk and a few combos, but the Ukrainian would soon get on his horse with an answer through combinations that had the crowd stirring. The crowd called for a knockdown, but the round ends with cuts under the eyes for both men.

Round four Pinchuk would continue his attack, due to their contrasting stances Langston was headbutted accidentally. Referee Chris Riskus noticed that Langston was affected by the headbutt and gave him a short break to get his bearings together.

When the fight continued, Pinchuk went for the body, bu Langston sticks through the round. Between the rounds 5 and 6, there were rumblings that Langston wanted to end the fight. He had swelled from the headbutt on one of his eyes, impeding his vision.

He also seemed tired out by Pinchuk's attack, at one point taking a short reserve with his hands down on the ropes in round five. Despite all the issues, he remains in the fight and has a solid crowd popping performance in round 7 setting up a helter-skelter championship round.

Both men, especially Langston, goes for broke in this round. It resembled rock em' sock em' robots the way these two would give and take through the round.

Langston certainly dug deep, finding a second wind through exhaustion and a lack of vision out of one of his eyes. Pinchuk, however, had enough shining moments getting the decision 76-76, 77-75, 77-75 to retain his championship.

The final fight of the night was a heavyweight bout between Mike Manna (3-1) and Randy Wachacha (0-1). Manna will be donating his purse to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. You expect fireworks anytime you see the word heavyweight, and that is exactly what we got.

Wachacha came into this fight with size on his side. Manna usually fights at cruiserweight and attempted a more boxing approach compared to his usual slugging style.

The size was the determining factor as the bigger Wachacha attacked like a grizzly bear, forcing his opponent into the corner and getting a knockout with a two-hit combo. He would clinch the fight soon after with another knockdown, earning the victory with a TKO 2:16 into the first round.

Spring Slugfest Brings The Boom to The Burgh

Written and Photos taken on a Nikon D3100 by Tyler Polk

With four fights ending by way of TKO and ten stoppages for a count or referee decision. The Spring Slugfest held by Integrity Fighter Management and the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym certainly lived up to its name.

Boxing fans from all over Pittsburgh flocked to the Priory Grand Hall on the Northside to cheer on Pittsburgh's local talent. After an emotional national anthem that made one judge shed tears, the first fight of the night between Jarrell "The Samurai" Brackett (1-2) and Ohio's Latiss "No Love" Norman (1-3) brought the fireworks early.

Brackett's battle cry before the bell ring was a signal for war, and the two fighters went at each other without any hesitation. It was a short opener as Norman scored two early knockdowns and clinched the victory with a TKO stoppage at 1:02.

The next fight was a bout between two fighters who struggled to secure challengers for the event and decided to face each other.

Lucas Adams (Debut) and Brock Willis (1-1) of West Virginia had a spirited bout that featured good combinations, plus back and forth action between competitors. Their match would go the full four rounds, and the judges scored the decision 39-37, 40-36 and 40-36 for Adams debut fight. In post-fight interviews, the two showed mutual respect under challenging circumstances.

"The Demolition Man" Lyubomyr Pinchuk (8-1) took on Michigan's Thad Berkhousen (5-5-2) for the ABF USA Cruiserweight Championship. Like his walkout music, Pinchuk left Berkhousen thunderstruck. Setting the pace with his combinations in the first round.

Berkhousen stood tall with a couple of chances, but it was too much Pinchuk. His combos scores a standing count on Berkhousen and a TKO stoppage in the 2nd round to cap off another successful title defense.

Flashy entrances were the introduction to Llewlyn McClamy (1-0) and Stephen Dailey Jr. (1-0-1). Dailey came out in a sparkling red robe and mask. McClamy was bouncing around to Rapper's Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang.

When the bell rung, the theatrics was exchanged for a gritty close-quarters affair. Referee Chris Riskus wanted less grappling during the second round, but it continued. McClammy knocked down Dailey and left him leaning on the ropes to end the round.

A confident McClamy came out the next round and as a member of the crowd exclaimed: "Sock him, Lou!" he scored the second knockdown of the fight en route to a third in the final round, clinching a TKO victory.

Intermission was an emotional tribute to some of the members of the Pittsburgh Boxing Community who recently passed, including Jimmy Cvetic who passed on February 16th from cancer.

Victor Olive gave a heartfelt tribute and a ten bell salute in his honor. With a poster of Jimmy Cvetic on the wall, you have to feel he would be smiling from the performances of all the competitors last night.

"Pretty" Richie Cantolina (2-0) faced New York's Erik "The New Creation" Plumeri (1-9-1) after the intermission. Cantolina's fast start with combos and footwork blitzed Plumeri early, but he would rebound during round two. Both men would trade combos and moments throughout the fight.

Plumeri was much more competitive than what his record would entail, but Cantolina would still get the decision victory with judges scoring the fight 38-38, 39-37, and 39-37. He would take the microphone to honor his father who beat pancreatic cancer.

The main event of the evening didn't finish off the night, but it was an eight-round fight for the ABF USA Super-Bantamweight Championship. Oleg "The Ukrainian Pittbull Dovhun and Daron "Sweet Tay" Williams came into the match with equal 7-0 records.

Their fight would go the distance despite a second-round knockdown to Williams. Dovhun had the bulk of the offense for the contest and Williams had more output during and after round five.

Williams would cut Dovhun with his final punch in the final round, but it wasn't enough for the title, as the judges would score the bout 78-73, 79-72 and 78-73 unanimously for "The Pitbull" winning his first professional championship.

The featured attraction for the night's events was a four-round heavyweight clash between Michael "The Pittsburgh Bull" Manna (3-0) and Davmond Carter (0-1).

The crowd was ready to explode as those two titans swung for the fences in round one, both men aggressively searched for a knockout. After a popping shot by Manna that sent oohs through the crowd, Carter followed up by knocking "The Bull" down for the first time.

Manna would hang on through the end of round one into round two, as body shots reverberate around The Priory. Every shot by Carter would get a response as the crowd urging for the deciding blow for "The Bull."

Before round three, the crowd would chant Manna's name again, but Carter throws a combination of blows to his body and head leaving him stumbling on his feet. Referee Tim Shipley would call the fight off with a TKO stoppage victory for Carter at 1:17.