In a sport where the line between confidence and arrogance is forever blurred, Irving, of Beaver Falls, is a fighter with the height and power of Tommy Hearns; he has the jab of Larry Holmes; “The Swag” of a Floyd Mayweather; but the poor stamina of Tommy Morrison.
“The Hit Man” Irving completely dominated Sydnor in round one, but by round three he turned into “The Get Hit Man”! The “Animation Artist”, used a crouching bob and weave style to get inside and hammer away at the bread basket.
By the third and final round Irving had his mouth open and was looking for some oxygen as Sydnor chased after him.
Sydnor won by a split-decision and broke into tears.
“I’m from New York and I haven’t been home in a long time and I love and miss my brothers and my family,” said an emotional Sydnor. “The state championship is in Philly, so all my family will be able to come and watch me fight.”
Boxing in Western Pennsylvania has been rejuvenated, and trainers like Darren Dolby and Tommy Yankello are putting together a well trained army of fighters. Yankello is the lift beneath the wings of Monty Meza-Clay, Paul Spadafora, “The Hit Man” Irving and CC “The Beast” Clark.
Clark, 22 years old, treats boxing more like a religion than a sport. He studies fighters from the past and it is this kind of dedication that made him a favorite to win a national championship.
Before “The Beast” Clark decided to move up from 152-pound weight class into the 165-pound class maybe he should have googled Gerald Sherrell!
Sherrell, of the Centre Ave WPAL, was bigger, stronger and faster than the highly touted Clark. Sherrell took him to school and easily won every round.
“We prepared for this fight,” said trainer Darren Dolby. “Clark is a great, great fighter but coming up from 152 pounds we knew he never fought anyone with Gerald’s power. Our only concern was his hand speed. Clark is fast but Gerald is faster. Gerald will own the 165 pound class as long as he stays amateur. I think he will turn Pro next year.”
Gateway graduate John Demus, from Boyce Gym in Plum, fought heavyweight Tyrell Harris of Eric Boxing Academy. Demus, a Monroeville resident, had a lot of fans in attendance but got knocked out in the 2nd round by the hard hitting Harris.
“Maddog” Jimmy Cvetic, retired Allegheny County police, and owner of the Third Avenue Gym. For 34 years he’s been working with kids—-some troubled, some not, but all in need of direction. And through his Police Athletic League, Cvetic has taught hundreds of kids of all ages how to box. Cvetic puts on between 20 and 30 amateur boxing shows per year and is the director of the Golden Gloves in Pittsburgh.
Also at the fight were many of the stars and cast members of the next Hollywood blockbuster movie “Southpaw” and they included: Rayco “War” Saunders, Jose Caraballo, Coach Rock, and Vito Grassi.
While Saunders doesn’t necessarily seek media attention—-he had a starring role in the movie and will be fighting for another title on May 16, at the Meadows Casino in Washington, Pa.
“I had most of these fighters and trainers and movie stars on my Pittsburgh Sportline show,” said Allen Levine, “The Talking Machine,” who host a show with Zach Brenner and Chip Haynor. “I think Sydnor could win a national championship and make the Olympic team.”
The outstanding fighter of the night award went to Lexa “Baby Face” Muslin of South Park boxing. Muslin is 114-pound ninth grader from Keystone Oaks High School and her opponent was Jennifer Cotton. Muslin came out in the first round like a young lady possessed and landed several right hands to the face of Cotton forcing the referee to stop the fight after the third standing eight count in the first round. Muslin raised her record to 5-1 with an impressive 5KO’s.
Other winners: 123-sub novice Corvynne Mikell, 132-open Cameran Ekas, 165-sub novice Austin Warman, 141-novice Llewolyn McClancy, 114-sub novice Muslin, 201-sub novice Stormer, 178-open Sydnor, 132-novice Doreen Anderson, 201-novice Harris, 152-open Lehner, 165-open Sherrell, 201-open Steve Mowry.
The next set of Golden Gloves bouts, featuring tournament and non-tournament action, will be April 18 at Royal Place Restaurant in the South Hills. In addition to the scheduled bouts, there will be a ceremony to induct this year’s class into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame. That class includes undefeated professional boxer and Monessen native Sammy Vasquez Jr.
About Post Author
