Butler Cubs boxing season still in limbo
The fight has been taken out of the Butler Cubs boxing gym.
For now.
But the fight has not been taken out of the Butler Cubs boxers.
“USA Boxing suspended everything March 14. Our gym has been closed since,” Cubs boxing manager Don Spinetti said. “But I know my kids have been keeping up with their cardio, staying in shape.
“A couple of them even took (boxing) bags home with them to work out on.”
Cubs boxer Isaac Guenther was supposed to fight an Ireland national champion in Pittsburgh in mid-March. Ireland flew in 11 boxers and three coaches on a Tuesday.
That Wednesday, USA Boxing shut everything down.
“Some Allegheny Mountain Association (AMA) boxers, including Issac, were able to get together with the Irish fighters for a sparring session in a closed gym,” Spinetti said. “Issac was in the ring withthat champion and did pretty well against him.
“The AMA asked USA Boxing for a waiver to go ahead with that show, but was turned down.”
Four Cubs boxers — Marli Knox, Hayden Gregg, Guenther and Brian Mowry — were scheduled to participate in the Western Pa. Golden Gloves competition last month. Those bouts were postponed. Sam Whalen had a Golden Gloves bout slated for March 22 in Erie. It was called off as well.
Mowry won the state Golden Gloves title last year and lost at nationals. He has visions of turning pro and wanted one more shot at a Golden Gloves national crown this year.
Whether he gets that chance remains to be seen.
“Everything is up in the air right now. Nobody knows what's going on,” Spinetti said.
Knox and Gregg took the boxing bags home with them to continue workouts. Mowry has boxing equipment of his own at home.
No one is permitted to spar.
The annual Butler Cubs Amateur Boxing Show — the gym's prime fundraiser — was scheduled for May 16 in the gym, but has been postponed indefinitely.
“We're still planning on having the show,” Spinetti said. “If we have to do it in the fall, we will, though football may hurt our gate. I'd prefer late June or sometime in July.”
There are eight boxers training under Cubs boxing trainer Billy Wolfe. All eight were hopeful of being on the card.
Spinetti said it takes time to put a card together for an amateur show.
“You need to find matchups for age, weight, ability level ... There are 30 (boxing) gyms in our association and I end up having to call them all,” he said. “You get 50 fighters on board hoping to figure out 10 bouts.
“Kids in Butler want to fight in their hometown. Parents, uncles, aunts, neighbors ... That's most of the crowd. That's what makes the show.”
Spinetti said the Cubs boxing program will survive even if it is unable to host a show this year.
“It would use up most of the revenue I have for the gym right now,” he admitted. “But the Butler Cubs support this program. They would help keep it going.”
The Butler Cubs boxing program has existed for 60 years. Seven boxers — Mike McGrady, Brian Minto, Billy Wolfe, Ryan Covert, Bobby Osterrider, Donovan Malovich and Dave Cook — have turned pro out of the Cubs gym.
