51st Butler Cubs Amateur Boxing Show: Mars’ Zoe Passarelli’s emotional debut win highlights local performances
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ring Girl Aaliyah Miles holds the number cue card between each round during the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rory, left, and Stacey Coburn, front, cheer for Zoe Passarelli during the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli celebrates after defeating Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli celebrates after defeating Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Tanner Williams battles with Prominence’s Donald Davis in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ring Girl Aaliyah Miles holds the number cue card between each round during the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton battles with RSG Damon Johnson in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Rory, left, and Stacey Coburn, front, cheer for Zoe Passarelli during the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli celebrates after defeating Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli celebrates after defeating Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Zoe Passarelli admitted to dreaming about what would happen once she entered the ring for her amateur boxing debut.
Saturday night, she made it reality.
The Mars junior scored a technical knockout in the second round of her bout against Marsella Monataz, of Ashtabula, Ohio, during the 51st Butler Cubs Amateur Boxing Show in the Cubs gym.
Passarelli was one of two Cubs boxers to emerge victorious on the card. Eric Hixon, 12, a Knoch student, won by unanimous decision over Paul Agnew, of Ellwood City, in the first bout of the night.
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli battles with Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Passarelli was moved to tears following her victory. She repeatedly connected with jarring jabs and straight right hands, snapping her opponent’s neck back on occasion, before the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.
“(Monataz) was holding on to me a lot, and I thought she was being admonished for that,” Passarelli said. “I was surprised to see the fight was stopped. I took a couple of punches, but she never hurt me ... and I was hitting her more.
“I dreamed about this fight for a long time. I’ve been preparing for more than a year. I’m emotional because of all the work I put into this.”
Passarelli finds time for her physical training while also being a member of the Mars debate team who plans to study pre-law in college. She works out in the Butler Cubs boxing gym three days a week and runs six or seven days a week.
“I run three to five miles each day, sometimes six or seven,” she said. “I’ll get up early in the morning to do it, sometimes in the evening. I’ll always find time to do this. I want to keep on boxing.”
Cubs boxing trainer Bill Wolfe said a rematch with Monataz, who also made her boxing debut Saturday, could happen next week.
“I’m trying to get them on a card in Freeport,” Wolfe said. “They want a rematch, and we’d love to see that happen.
Butler Cubs boxer Zoe Passarelli celebrates after defeating Ashtabula’s Marsella Monataz in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
“Zoe was nervous before this match, but she got rid of those nerves quickly. She was aggressive the whole way. This was the first time she’s been in the ring with another girl. She always spars against boys.”
“I was ready for this,” Passarelli said. “I trusted in God. Good things were gonna happen.”
Good things happened for Eric Hixon, as well. He forced Agnew to take a standing eight count in the second round and again in the third. The victory improved Eric’s amateur record to 1-2.
“I was nervous tonight, but excited at the same time,” Eric said. “When he took that second (standing eight), I knew I had him. Use the jab to set up my right. That was the plan.”
“He executed his game plan perfectly,” Wolfe said. “I’m proud of Eric. He entered the ring confident, and it showed.”
“I’m ll about boxing now,” said Eric, a former soccer player. “I want my next match to be as soon as possible.”
Three other Butler Cubs boxers — Tanner Williams, Rilry McGee and Derrick Eggleton — lost close decisions. Williams suffered a bloody nose in the first round of his bout but gamely fought back before dropping a split decision.
Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee battles with Ellwood City’s Connor Bollinger in the annual Butler Cubs Boxing amateur meet Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cubs Hall. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Pittsburgh Golden Gloves champion and Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, a Butler senior, did not appear in Saturday’s show. An opponent could not be found for him.
“These were all good, competitive fights,” Wolfe said. “That’s what we want. Put on a good show and hopefully raise money for these kids.”
The Cubs annual boxing show serves as the program’s lone fundraiser. Butler Cubs boxers have won more than 80 different championships since 1976, including local, Western Pennsylvania, regional, state and national titles.
Saturday’s show was sanctioned by USA Boxing and the Allegheny Mountain Association.
BUTLER CUBS BOXING RESULTS
Eric Hixon (Butler Cubs) unanimous dec. over Paul Agnew (Ellwood City), 80 pounds
Kyle Hoffman (Boyce) unanimous dec. over Tyler Ennis (Foundation), 165 pounds
Zoe Passarelli (Butler Cubs) 2nd-round TKO over Marsella Monataz (Ashtabula), 118 pounds
Jacob Adams (Punxsutawney) 3rd-round TKO over Aiden Bollinger (Ellwood City), 145 pounds
Donald Davis (Prominence) split dec. over Tanner Williams (Butler Cubs), 105 pounds
Shane Alwahami (Erie) dec. over Mustafa Jones (Formula A1), 160 pounds
Connor Bollinger (Ellwood City) unanimous dec. over Riley McGee (Butler Cubs), 130 pounds
Anthony Carlisano (Boyce) unanimous dec. over Alan Williams (Foundation), 145 pounds
Damon Johnson (RMG) unanimous dec. over Derrick Eggleton (Butler Cubs), 199 pounds
