Cubs boxer facing Ireland national champ
Isaac Guenther wants to get serious about boxing — so he's taking on a serious opponent.
Guenther, 17, of Prospect, has been with the Butler Cubs amatuer boxing program for three years. He is 10-2 as an amateur overall, 8-0 since joining the Cubs program.
He has accepted a match against 16-year-old Tyler Guiney, Ireland's national champion at 155 pounds, who has 40 more amateur fights than he does.
The three-round bout will be part of the Donnybrook 2020 amateur boxing card at 7 p.m. March 13 in the Grand Hall at The Priory, on Pittsburgh's Northside.
The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh is coordinating the card, which pits some of the top amateur fighters in Pittsburgh against members of the Drimnagh Boxing Club based in Dublin, Ireland.
“They couldn't find anybody to fight that kid,” Butler Cubs boxing trainer Billy Wolfe said. “They called us and Isaac is willing to take him on.
“This will be an invaluable experience for him. I think Isasac's got the talent to be competitive with him and possibly beat him.”
Guenther hasn't fought since May 18 at the Butler Cubs annual boxing show. He is cyber-schooled.
“I've been working at different places. With work and school, I haven't been fighting,” he said. “But I've been training hard. I'm in the (Cubs) gym Monday through Thursday, along with Saturday mornings. We've been sparring at different gyms on Sundays.
“This fight will do a lot for me if I have a good showing and I'm confident I will. I turn 18 in May and I want to do something in this sport. This is my crunch time that way.”
While Cubs boxing manager Don Spinetti admitted he doesn't know much abou Guiney, he did say that “Irish fighters are generally known to be heavy punchers.
“The fighters coming here are trained by a former Olympic gold medalist, so I know they're serious about things,” Spinetti said.
Guenther will be giving away a few pounds along with the wealth of experience in the matchup. Neither fact bothers him.
“I'm usually more of a defensive fighter,” he said. “I counter a lot. That's what works for me. I know I have to be more aggressive in this fight. I'll use my jab a lot more. I can't let this guy get into any kind of a rhythm.”
Ireland's amateur boxers normally do not wear headgear. They ill be wearing an open-face headgear on the March 13 card. The cheekbones are not protected.
“More of the face will be exposed than (American amateurs) are accustomed to,” Spinetti said.
Wolfe emphasized that Guenther has won nine straight fights and is undefeated as a Cubs boxer. He began his boxing career at Mac Gym in Wexford.
“Isaac's been getting better with every fight,” Wolfe said. “This is a big opportunity for him.”
Guenther said he switched to the Butler Cubs gym because it's closer to home and it's better competition.
“Guys are more into the sport here,” he said. “I spar a lot more and I've had to work harder.”
Because Guenther will be part of this card, he will likely get an oppprtunity to travel to Ireland when the Pittsburgh contingent of fighters box there this summer.
Tickets for the March 13 boxing card are $108 for ringside, $53 for general admission and $31 for standing room. Call 412-394-3900 for ticket information.
