When Anthony Casal of Niagara Falls meets Jeff Boyd of London, Ont., in the main event of the "Halloween Boxing Bash at the Garden" on Saturday, Oct. 30, there will be more at stake than a grudge between two familiar opponents.
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The first time Casal faced Boyd, each held a regional title at his weight.
Since then, each fighter has won a national championship, making Saturday's rematch an unofficial North American championship bout.
Casal won the first meeting with Boyd last November. The rematch, scheduled for three rounds like all the bouts on the card, figures to be one of the southpaw boxer-puncher's last major bouts in junior competition. He turns 17 in December, moving him up into open men's competition.
Casal's older brother, Nick, turned pro in June following a distinguished amateur career and has won his first four fights, all by knockout.
Another member of Casal's Boxing Club on Saturday's card, Joey Trusello of Ransomville, also won a PAL title in Virginia Beach. Fighting at 125 pounds, the 15-year-old Trusello earned a 15-12 decision over Yaundale Evans of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Heavyweight Roy Burns of Niagara Falls is also scheduled to fight Saturday. The 18-year-old, who won the 2004 New York State Golden Gloves title, earned a bronze medal at the National PAL tourney after losing a tight 31-29 decision to Marlon Lawson of Newport News, Va., in the semifinals. Burns plans to compete at the USA Boxing Everlast Nationals early next year.
Several other fighters from Casal's Boxing Club are slated to compete in the inaugural boxing show at the Wintergarden, which is sponsored by Smokin' Joe's, Casal's Boxing Club and the Niagara Falls Reporter. Area fighters include Trevor Nye, Anthony Ferlito, John Harless and Kyle Grace. Terry Carter also returns to the ring, while Casey Costanzo and Mike Penque are scheduled to make their amateur debuts.
The local fighters, including several from Lockport, will face opponents from Buffalo, the Seneca Nation, Ontario, Jamestown, Erie, Pa., and Cleveland. All bouts are sanctioned by USA Boxing.
Proceeds from the price of admission -- $10 for general admission and $25 for ringside -- and a 50/50 raffle will go to offset travel costs for fighters qualifying for regional and national competitions.
Money raised in a second raffle will go to helping the family of Brandon Nemec, a Niagara County 4-year-old who fell through the ice on a pond last March and was trapped underwater for 20 minutes.
The doors open at 304 Rainbow Blvd. North at 6:30 p.m., with the first bell at 7 p.m.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | Oct. 26 2004 |