YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley has played host to a variety of up and coming boxers, who went on to become world champions and others who made a name for themselves on both the amateur and professional levels.

The Golden Gloves tournament was must-see action in the area and after a 35-year absence, the Cleveland Area Golden Gloves will present its first-round advancement tournament June 4 at the Saxon Club, 710 North Meridian Road.

Local trainer Jack Loew, owner of South Side Boxing Club and in conjunction with Youngstown-area boxing gyms, will serve as host for the tourney’s Mahoning Valley return.

“I know that all of the coaches and gyms in the area are excited about this opportunity,” Loew said.

“We are working hard with the board of the Cleveland Area Golden Gloves to make sure this night is a great one and well-received, all with the hopes of this becoming an annual event like year’s past.

“I have had many boxers participate in this great tournament and they’ve all represented the Mahoning Valley quite well.”

Boxers in the tournament are both male and female and range in age from 18 to 41.

The tournament boasts three divisions, including its sub-novice (no previous bouts), novice (1-9 bouts) and open (five or more bouts) divisions.

“For years now, we have been in discussions with Youngstown-area boxing gyms and their representatives about holding a preliminary round in the Mahoning Valley,” added Ben Rochester, Cleveland Area Golden Gloves president. “Youngstown is a vital part of our franchise and has a long, storied history of amateur and professional boxing, a history that needs to be celebrated including the 1999 Golden Gloves championship, won by former middleweight champion of the world and local boxing hero, Kelly Pavlik.

“We have sent multiple Youngstown-area boxers to the National Tournament of Champions and are proud to be working on this event with Jack [Loew] and the many other coaches from the area. We are quite excited to be coming back to Youngstown after such a long absence.”

Last year, Cleveland-area Golden Gloves boxers brought one gold (three-time champion Morelle McCain) and three bronze medals back to Northeast Ohio.

The Cleveland finals are set for June 17-18 at the Brook Park Recreation Center with open division champions traveling to the national championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, scheduled for August 15-19.

The Cleveland Area Golden Gloves is a 501-c-3 organization with all members volunteering their time and efforts year round.

All proceeds from their events go to travel-related expenses when taking their team to the National Tournament of Champions, also earmarked for hosting local tournaments.

Tables for the event can be reserved for $400 with general admission tickets available for $25 at the door the night of the show.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first fight hitting the bell at 7 p.m.

Further information regarding tickets and sponsorships are available by calling Loew at 330-501-5713 with additional information and entry forms available by calling Rochester and the Cleveland Area Golden Gloves at 216-662-7445 or 330-329-8583.

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