By Larry Snyder

Washington, Pa – Some of Western Pennsylvania’s finest up-and-coming pugilists put their skills on display Saturday, June 18, as Michael McSorley, J.J. Richardson, and the Integrity Fighter Management team brought the Sweet Science back to the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. A white tent between the casino and the north garage was home for the professional boxing event.

The Appalachian Boxing Organization’s inaugural Super Featherweight title was on the line for the main event. Matchmaker Brian Dillon brought together Rosalindo Morales (8-0-0, 2 KOs) of Ellwood City, PA, and Ironton, Ohio’s Ronald Harrison (4-2-0, 3 KOs) to clash for the championship.

Morales threw a grueling combination to Harrison’s body as he backed against the ropes and fell to his hands and knees. Referee Tim Shipley stopped the bout at 1:38 of the opening round when Harrison, 32, could not make it back to his feet. It was Rosie’s eighth consecutive pro victory and the second straight by knockout.

Fans of the 28-year-old southpaw witnessed his first triumph by knockout in March 2022 against Guadalupe Jimenez at the Cathedral Room at St. Nicholas in Pittsburgh, which also occurred in the first. The former United States Marine won five of his first pro meetings by unanimous and one by majority decisions.

From Dare To Be Great Boxing’s YouTube Channel – Showing Morales Getting Ready For The Fight…

McSorley commented to Derek Gionta of maxboxing.com after the encounter, “Rosalindo Morales has frustrated each and every opponent he has faced in the pro ranks. He is a tireless, humble worker, JJ and I look forward to what’s next.”

Super Middleweight Kiante Irving (10-0-1, 10 KOs) from Beaver Falls, PA, entered the spotlight when he faced 34-year-old Charon Spain (4-19-2, 1 KO) of Davenport, Iowa, in the co-feature matchup. The 28-year-old unleashed his dependable jab to set up a punishing right-left combo which sent Spain to the canvas twice. According to veteran boxing writer Samuel McKibben, the 2018 National Golden Gloves champion got in a terrific right uppercut to put Spain down for the final time at 2:16 of the first.

It was Irving’s first time to step between the ropes since going to a six-round draw in September 2021 with Antonio Louis Hernandez on Gionta’s Murrysville Madness card at the SportZone arena in Murrysville, PA. Irving told his fans on his Facebook page after the win over Spain, “Last night was simply amazing. To see all my people out there, supporting me, is an incomparable feeling. I’m beyond humbled for the love and can’t thank y’all enough.”

After six rounds of super featherweight conflict, Pittsburgh’s Johnny Spell (7-0-0, 4 KOs) racked up 60-54 scores on all three judges’ cards to win by unanimous decision over 33-year-old Marcello Williams (3-13-0) from Braganca Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Spell, 26, landed his shots working off his formidable jab and got out of harm’s way from Williams’ punches through a combination of superior footwork and defense.

Integrity Pro Boxing Lineup At The Meadows:

Main Event – ABO Super Featherweight Title – Rosalindo Morales (8-0-0, 2 KOs) Ellwood City, PA WINS BY KO At 1:38 Of The First Round Vs. Ronald Harrison (4-2-0, 3 KOs) Ironton, Ohio

Super Middleweight – Kiante Irving (10-0-1, 10 KOs) Beaver Falls, PA WINS BY TKO At 2:16 Of The 1st Round Vs. Charon Spain (4-19-2, 1 KO) Davenport, Iowa

Heavyweight – Joseph Turk (2-0-0, 1 KO) Pittsburgh, PA WINS BY Majority Decision (38-38, 39-17, 39-17) Vs. Dennis Vance Jr (1-5-0, 1 KO) South Branch, Michigan

Super Featherweight – Johnny Spell (7-0-0, 4 KOs) Pittsburgh, PA WINS BY Unanimous Decision (60-54 on all three cards) Vs. Marcello Williams (3-13-0) Braganca Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Super Welterweight – Deon Goodlow (3-4-0) Pittsburgh, PA WINS BY Unanimous Decision (40-36 on all three cards) Vs. Jordan Zlacki (2-5-0, 1 KO) Cheswick, PA

CORNER NOTES: Integrity opened the evening with a scheduled three-round heavyweight exhibition as the “The Serbian Sledgehammer” Zach Petrovich from New York City battled Brian Bercik of Monessen, PA. Petrovich controlled the action with a direct and overwhelming offense against a game Bercik. The confrontation ended after only one round. McSorley told me, “The exhibition matches don’t declare a winner.”

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission had George Kuchulis, Dana DePaolo, and John Santore judging the bouts. Shipley and Ernie Sharif split up the referee chores, and doctor Jason Fronczak served as the physician-in-attendance.

Matt Antonucci was the ring announcer and gave another excellent performance. All of the contests streamed live on BXNG TV with the talented duo of Marc Abrams and former two-time IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham behind the microphone. You can review Brett Rothmeyer’s photo gallery of the matches at https://bit.ly/3xPw4wA.

NEXT UP: McSorley and Richardson are putting together another event for Saturday, October 29, 2022, with Morales and Irving planning to be on the fight card.