Boxing promoter Derek Gionta of Monroeville is back on his mission to return boxing to a prominent place among Pittsburgh sports.
That mission continues with a full day of amateur and pro fights Saturday at the Murrysville SportZone.
“The key is to have enough shows to keep fighters busy so they can develop and eventually move on to a bigger stage,” Gionta said. “Maybe some of the bigger events can start taking place here as enough fighters develop.”
The “Murrysville Madness” event will feature a seven-fight pro card with two main-event matches. One will feature Pittsburgh junior lightweight Matt “Sweet Child” Conway (19-2, 8 KOs), the reigning International Boxing Association’s Intercontinental Junior Lightweight Champion, in a six-round, non-title fight against Colombian pugilist Rodolfo Puente (20-7-2, 16 KOs).
The co-featured bout will pit Pittsburgh super middleweight Kiante Irving (9-0, 9 KOs) against a 2018 National Golden Gloves Champion Antonio Louis Hernandez (5-11-3, 3 KOs).
Gionta said it’s important to cater to all types of boxing fans.
“Some fans come to see knockouts, heavyweights, or good technical boxing,” he said. “We try to give them a little bit of everything.”
Ohio lightweight Ryizeemmion “The Humble Beast” Ford (5-1-0, 3 KOs) steps up in his first scheduled six-round fight on Saturday, against Mexican opponent Carlos “Jaguar” Jimenez (1-2-1). Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in 4-round matches is Pittsburgh super middleweight Eric Lomax (3-0, 2 KOs) and Jacob Ikaika Martin (1-0) of Washington; the pro debut of Buffalo’s Joe Reed against Kyrgyzstan-native Baszybek Baratov (4-1-2, 1 KO), fighting out of Monroeville. Pittsburgh middleweight Paul Palombo will also make his pro debut against Jabrandon Harris (0-6), and Pittsburgh super lightweight and Matt Conway’s brother, “Maverick” Mike Conway (3-2-1, 1 KO) will go up against Joshua Zimmerman (0-3). As is typical with boxing matches, the card is subject to change. Tickets are priced at $125 for ringside seats, $40-60 for floor seating, and $50 for reserved seating.
For tickets to the pro fights in the evening, call 412-759-0407. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the first fight starting at 7 p.m.
And for those looking for a full day of action, an amateur show promoted by Gionta Management and Kastle Boxing of Johnstown will start at noon. Gionta said those types of events are just as important when it comes to building up the local boxing scene.
“The fighters need proper training and experience competing at tournaments. We have some great trainers here,” he said. “The more shows the better. Having a show like this with an amateur event earlier in the day gives fighters an opportunity to compete and then stick around and watch the pros later that night.”
Separate tickets for the amateur bouts can be purchased for $20. Both will take place at the Murrysville SportZone, 4491 School Road South in Murrysville.
