Saturday, February 6, 2021
Home Sweet Home: Sweet Child Matt Conway looking to get back in the win column on his home turf
Friday, February 5, 2021
Finally! Alliance native Ford to face Morales in battle of unbeatens
It's hard to believe that we are closing in on the one-year anniversary of our nation almost having to reach for the pause button and play the waiting game as the COVID-19 pandemic spread its way through our nation.
As life paused, the sports world did so right along with it as this website slowly faded away into obscurity with nothing to write about.
With life slowly treading in the right direction but not without many uphill battles remaining to conquer before our lives can go back to 100% normalcy, Alliance native Ryizeemion Ford is finally ready to climb back into the ring tomorrow night for the first time since right before the pandemic last year when he scored a TKO victory over Aaron Jamel Hollis on March 7th to improve his record to 4-0 with 3 KOs.
"I just stayed in the gym and told myself keep working something will come up!", said Ford with excitement when asked how he kept himself physically and mentally ready during these times of uncertainty.
Ford admitted however that at times he wondered if all the work he was putting was without purpose.
"I had few opportunities but they turned me down but now we’re here".
The "here" for the 27-year-old Ford is a date against undefeated Rosalindo Morales of Ellwood City, PA who will bring an unblemished 3-0 record into the ring alongside almost two-years of ring rust having last fought in February of 2019.
"I don’t really know anything about him, I’ll make my adjustments though", said Ford of his 27-year-old opponent.
While Ford has made it known that he fights for Alliance because of how they support him, he will also be fighting in memory of his cousin who he knows will be in the ring with him at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Washington, PA both spiritually and in tribute on Saturday night.
"My trunks are dedicated to my cousin Amy Lynn that passed last year", said Ford who is becoming known for his very original ring wear. "Her and I were very close".
While he remains focus on the task of hand, Ford admits that he like many people of all walks of life almost feels as if he has to make up for lost time and plans on staying as busy as possible but in no way is overlooking Morales.
"They say this guy is a tough fighter but feel like I’m the guy to beat right now so they better be ready".
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Normalcy ahead: Hensley ready to knock 2020 out with a bang
During a period of time this Spring all gyms stood eerily silent as the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus swept through our nation forcing a various amount of closures and causing the sports world to come to a sudden halt.
As we all find ourselves currently fighting through another rise in cases while still trying to find a way to go about our normal day-to-day lives, 11-year-old Western Reserve student Zion Hensley just keeps doing what she loves and as truth will have it, she never stopped as the 5th grader found ways to keep herself sharp and in shape.
Now that she's openly able to work out again, she's back with her trainer, the former undisputed middleweight champion of the world Kelly Pavlik.
As you walk through Pavlik's Mi Gym in Columbiana the first sounds you will hear is the sound of iron weights clanking as patrons put weights back on the racks but as you walk closer and closer to the back area there is a chance you might hear the sound of leather popping.
With each punch Hensley throws, she knows she is closer to a possible ring return with a trip to USA Boxing Nationals being held December 5th-12th in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Hensley, who will enter the ring for the first time since fighting in Kansas City in January and will fight at the 80-pound weight limit has been waiting for this moment.
"I stayed in shape running at the Western Reserve track and once I was able to get back into the gym I've worked on throwing way more punches and moving side to side with improve footwork" said Hensley.
When Hesnley did find some time away from the gym, she ventured into the entertainment business by starring in a music video for Koda Allen, a rising talent from Youngstown starring in the video for his song Elephant form his latest album, 4th of July which he released this past summer.
Along with the music video she also made a cameo alongside Pavlik on the Ohio's Finest Podcast by Savage MMG Presents in late September.
Though COVID-19 impacted many young fighters, Hensley used some of that time to give back and along with some of her friends raised $1,150 dollars by selling bracelets for the Mercy Health Foundation to purchase PPE.
Now with her return to action around the corner, Hensley is set to make the trip south with the help of some generous donations.
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Fight Day: Rosta set for Bellator main card tonight as fight will air on CBS Sports Network
Friday, August 7, 2020
New Castle native Dalton Rosta dominates in TKO victory to remain perfect in Bellator MMA
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Rosta, 24, wasted little time showing his opponent Mark Gardner his standup game as he shook Gardner with an uppercut early.
Gardner's best moments came in the middle of the opening round when he showed his jiu-jitsu skills and secured an armbar.
Rosta, who the commentators likened to a Greek God, was able to fight off the submission attempt of Gardner and landed a hard left before ending the round landing hard blow after hard blow on Gardner's battered face.
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Gardner fell to 1-2 with the loss.