The fights at the WPAL amateur boxing tournament in McKeesport were designed to help keep kids off the streets and to teach them a skill and how to compete in that skill.  

Kids came from all over the Pittsburgh area, Uniontown, Clairton, East End, Wilkinsburg, Homestead and South Park. These kids trained at the gym at least three days or nights a week and then competed in the ring to see who had the better boxing skills.

THE FIGHTERS—From left: Jonail Fairley (165-pounds), Larry Kunselman (132-pound fighter out of South Park), Monte Meza Clay, pro-fighter with a 29-1 record, Morgan Fitch (165-pound Stay Off The Streets Gym), Sir John Winthrow, 141-pound from East Side Gym), and TT Watson, pro-fighter with 7-0 record.

“I have been to a lot of boxing events and I have to say there is a lot more to the (Jimmy Cvetic’s) WPAL Boxing then just throwing a punch,” Jimmy Cvetic said. “These young men help put the ring together before the matches and they help tear it down after the last match. That is a lot of work just in itself to do.

“They want to be the best at something positive and help each other become the best. I have seen guys from all other gyms cheer for a guy from another gym during a fight. This event in McKeesport was a charity event to show the city and the patrons what the amateur boxing is about and see the young men in the ring touch gloves in the beginning of the match, have good sportsmanship during the match and then hug and shake hands with not just the other fighter but with the trainers and the coaches in the opposite corner after every match. Win or lose, they all do it out of respect to each other and the gyms and trainers.”

Everyone in the amateur boxing circuit is like one big family pulling together in and out of the ring, Cvetic said. Before the matches you will see the guys hanging out talking about their last fight or the fight they are going into that night, school, girls, music, whatever, and wishing each other good luck.

There are positive role models in their lives in the ring but also outside the ring as well, such as Monta Meza Clay Pro champion and TT Watson, an undefeated pro fighter, who both came to the Black and Gold amateur boxing event at the Palisades Aug. 2 to watch 16 guys in eight matches give their best to compete for their coaches, their gyms, the audience, but most importantly, for themselves.

“I also believe with positive backing these kids are going to be the next Monte Clay or TT Watson or so on. They do not have to be boxers but they will take the camaraderie, discipline, and the urge to do better no matter what they get into,” Cvetic said. “There are also positive people who give out the medals at the end of each fight and both fighters get a medal, winner of the bout will get the gold medal and the runner up will get a silver medal presented by such people as the mayor of whatever city the event is in, promoters, pro-fighters, and open- end fighters (about to go pro).

“With more programs like these, the youth of today may think twice before getting into trouble even though not everyone should get into boxing but it is another option for us to do,” he said. “If you can see an event, you will see the family in the amateur circuit. Come join the family.”

(To get into a gym near you or for information on the next event, call Jimmy Cvetic at 412-298-7373.)