Local boxers win three bouts at Butler Cubs 50th amateur boxing show
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Mykel Crooms II, right, pins Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton on the ropes during their match at the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee, left, competes with Jordan Bell during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee, left, competes with Jordan Bell during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Riley McGee, left, competes with Jordan Bell during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Christopher Karenbauer, left, competes with Collin Schragl during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Darren Hildebrand, right, competes with Jose Allcea during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Don Spinetti, right, was honored for his 50 years of dedication to the Butler Cubs during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Don Spinetti was honored for his 50 years of dedication to the Butler Cubs during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, right, competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, left, competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton, right, competes with Mykel Crooms II during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Eric Hixon, left, battles with Mason Camper during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Eric Hixon, left, battles with Mason Camper during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Darren Hildebrand, right, competes with Jose Allcea during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, right, competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton, right, competes with Mykel Crooms II during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, right, competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Eric Hixon, left, battles with Mason Camper during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Darren Hildebrand, right, competes with Jose Allcea during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton, right, competes with Mykel Crooms II during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Eric Hixon, right, battles with Mason Camper during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Eric Hixon, left, battles with Mason Camper during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Christopher Karenbauer, right, competes with Collin Schragl during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, right, competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton, right, competes with Mykel Crooms II during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson, right, competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Derrick Eggleton, right, competes with Mykel Crooms II during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Eric Hixon, left, battles with Mason Camper during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Leland Anderson competes with Christian Jennings during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Butler Cubs boxer Christopher Karenbauer is named the winner after boxing Collin Schragl during the 50th Amateur Butler Cubs Boxing Show at the facility's gym Saturday, June 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Butler Cubs boxers won three and lost three during the organization’s 50th annual amateur Fight Night.
Overall, the Cubs boxing program won big.
Despite oppressive heat, people packed the Cubs gym to watch 12 amateur bouts Saturday night. The annual show serves as Butler Cubs boxing’s prime fundraiser.
“People came out despite the heat,” Cubs boxing manager Don Spinetti said. “We were worried about that. But we had a good crowd, and the boxers put on a good show.”
Six Cubs boxers were on the card. Chris Karenbauer, 23, of Butler; Riley McGee, 16, of Evans City; and Darren Hildebrand, 22, of Butler all won their bouts by unanimous decision. Eric Hixon, Derrick Eggleton and Leland Anderson all lost by decision.
Anderson, fighting in the super heavyweight division, dropped his match in a split decision to close the evening.
McGee has been with the Cubs boxing program for only seven months.
“This was my first match, and it felt great getting my hand raised at the end,” McGee said. “My jab got things going for me in the second round. I’m going to stay with boxing, maybe work toward doing the Golden Gloves, maybe get into some MMA fighting. Those are my goals.”
Karenbauer came out of his corner fast and furious to begin his match. He never let up in keeping his opponent on the defensive.
He’s been with Cubs boxing for three and a half months and, like McGee, won his first fight.
“That’s how I want to fight, fill my gas tank for three rounds and empty it all out,” Karenbauer said. “I want to throw my opponent off right away, and I think that worked tonight.
“Win this one, get ready for the next one. I just want to learn from each match and build on it.”
Hildebrand improved to 2-4 as an amateur, but Saturday night marked the first time he’s fought in his hometown.
“The atmosphere and support really helped, ” He said.
During the second round, Hildebrand connected with a punch to the face of Ashtabula (Ohio’s) Travis Black with such force that the latter’s mouthpiece sailed out of the ring.
“I didn’t even know I did that,” Hildebrand said. “I guess I have more punching power than I thought.”
During intermission, Spinetti, 93, received an award from Butler Cubs boxing — presented by former Cubs amateur and pro fighter Ryan Covert, now an assistant coach with the Cubs — for his 50 years of dedication and service to the team.
“For 50 years, Don has devoted countless hours to our youth, guiding them with unwavering dedication and a passion for the sport of boxing,” Covert read from a statement while presenting Spinetti the award in the ring. “His commitment goes beyond training sessions and matches; he has been a mentor, friend and a source of family to every individual that has walked through our doors.”
Spinetti credits the people he’s worked with over the years for keeping the program going.
“I’ve worked with really good people,” he said. “Billy Wolfe’s been working with me here for 35 years, Ryan Covert for 25 ... and there’s so many others. A lot of our former boxers come back and help out. I love when that happens.”
Butler Cubs boxers have won more than 80 different championships since 1976, including western Pennsylvania, regional, state and national titles.
BUTLER CUBS AMATEUR BOXING SHOW RESULTS
Mason Camper (Scorchin) dec. Eric Hixon (Butler Cubs), 70 pounds
Alan Williams (Foundation) dec. Xoren Radusewicz (G-Force), 115 pounds
Dino Hernandez (Scorchin) split dec. over Maddox Smith (Ellwood City), 135 pounds
Chris Karenbauer (Butler Cubs) dec. Collin Schragl (G-Force), 147 pounds
Riley McGee (Butler Cubs) dec. Jordan Bell (Board’s), 125 pounds
Brandon Davis (Anchor) 3rd round TKO over Joe Davis (Ashtabula), super heavyweight
Ivan Troutman (Wick City) 2nd round TKO over Calvin Rodnicki (Boyce), 135 pounds
Mykel Crooms II (Board’s) dec. over Derrick Eggleton (Butler Cubs), 185 pounds
Jordan Carr (Beaver) dec. over Nico Jackson (Ashtabula), 195 pounds
Anthony Venezia (N.A.C.) dec. Nico Froce (Foundation), 145 pounds
Darren Hildebrand (Butler Cubs) dec. Travis Black (Ashtabula), 176 pounds
Christian Jennings (Scorchin) split dec. over Leland Anderson (Butler Cubs), super heavyweight
