Staff file photo / Dan Hiner South Side Boxing Club’s Chris Vass stands with his belt for winning his 135-pound bout and a trophy for being the best boxer at Thanksgiving Feast at Penguin City Brewing in Youngstown on Nov. 24, 2024.

YOUNGSTOWN — Local trainer and promoter Jack Loew, in conjunction with his South Side Boxing Club, will present a 15-bout, all-amateur fight card on May 16 at Penguin City Brewery, 460 E. Federal Street, Youngstown.

Titled “Outside the Lion’s Den,” Cardinal Mooney’s Chris Vass of SSBC will put his 12-1 mark on the line when he takes on Connor Bollinger of Ellwood City, Pa., in the night’s main event.

Lerone Burley, an up and coming third-grade hopeful from St. Charles School, is the co-main, while John Davis of Tommy Cordell and Sammy Calderone’s Golden String Boxing is also highlighted when he goes up against Hakeem Holly of Cleveland.

Vass, who fights at 145 pounds, is coming off a three-round unanimous decision over Cleveland’s Julian Dolin at Loew’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, also held at Penguin City Brewing Company on Feb. 14.

“We have 15 bouts scheduled and all are evenly matched,” Loew said this past weekend. “Each fight should be hard hitting affairs, while the main event between Chris (Vass) and Connor (Bollinger) will pit two action-packed fighters with similar styles, albeit separated by ring experience.

“Chris has just one loss in his 13 bouts, while Connor has entered the ring 27 times and is riding a 10-fight win streak. The interesting thing about this fight is that it is going to tell us a whole lot about Chris and exactly where he stands in his young, amateur career.

“We have seen Connor fight and he is a no-nonsense, straight ahead fighter with plenty of experience. He has been to nationals and fought a multitude of ranked fighters from throughout the country. This fight will be an interesting test for both young (fighters), with Bollinger looking to show that his experience is too much for (Vass), while Chris is looking to prove to those with experience that he is here to stay and is only getting better.”

Vass said he is up to the challenge and has worked extra hard preparing for Bollinger.

“I am so glad that Jack [Loew] was able to secure Connor as my opponent,” Vass said. “With this fight, I am anxious to see where I am at in my career, and with a victory, know that I will be pointed in the direction that I want it to be pointed. Connor is a tough fighter and I expect one tough fright from him. What I can say is that I am in extremely good condition, have had some great sparring sessions and just hope that he plans to pack a lunch, because I am not going anywhere. It is going to be an incredibly special fight.”

Bollinger said he was a little surprised that he was matched with Vass, yet alone in the main event.

“I’m still in shock that they accepted a fight with someone like me, simply because of my experience,” Bollinger said. “I have seen Chris fight, but this is just his 14th fight compared to my 27 bouts. In my eyes, I have fought far better competition, but I do expect a tough fight on both ends. That being said, I expect to come out the winner and spoil his victory parade in front of the huge hometown crowd that he will draw.”

For Burley, this will be just his third fight overall, while Holley is more than a formidable opponent for Davis.

“Lerone is just in third-grade, has a love for the game and is anxious to put his talent on display in front of the hometown fans,” Loew said. “I am also excited to see how John Davis performs when he meets Hakeem Holley. John is one of the absolute best amateur prospects in the area, while Hakeem is a solid opponent for any fighter in his weight class.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. Ringside seats cost $50 and general admission is priced at $25 apiece.

Silver ($850) and bronze ($400) sponsorships are still available, and further information can be obtained by calling Loew at 3305015713.

The first fight hits the bell at 7 p.m.