Golden Gloves boxing makes a ring appearance in the South Hills, its first in decades, if not ever. Then it travels to Moon next week. Later, it visits the Syria Mosque in Cheswick. 

            The Western Pennsylvania amateur pugilist circuit isn’t only moving around, it’s moving up.

             “This is going to get better and better,” said Jimmy Cvetic, the promoter behind the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League that oversees the growing tournament. “We were basically fighting in basements and now the bottom of gymnasiums.  Now, we’re giving them light.”

            About 225 amateur boxers, male and female from elementary- school ages through their 20s, are expected to compete in the most ambitious schedule yet for this regional Golden Gloves event.  It began a week ago at a Cranberry hotel and continues at 7:30 p.m. today in the Holiday Inn Select across from South Hills Village.  Next come four weekends of preliminary competition and preparation bouts leading into the Western Pennsylvania championships April 8 in Heinz Field’s West Club. 

            Eleven bouts are scheduled for tonight, with the feature fights coming at the Novice 165- pound class, between state runner-up John Billings of Carrick and Cadet state champ Timothy Jackson of Cimino’s Boxing of Swissvale, and in the Open 170- pound division, between Novice champ Jim Lubash of South Park and Johnail Farley of Weight Maters Gym.  Lubash is readying to enter an Open 178- pound class that likely will have three former regional Golden Gloves champion, vying for the Western Pennsylvania spot in the state finals, with two-time defending state champ Rocco Tettis of Ridgway prime among them.

            Also set for the card tonight is Junior 80-pounder, Rayco Saunders Jr., the offspring and pupil of the professional boxer nicknamed “War.”

            While growing- “and we expect to sell all these venues out,” Cvetic said- the Golden Gloves remains true to its roots returning to such places as St. Mary of the Mount on Mount Washington and St. Martin’s in Crafton, a site arranged by Mayor Bob O’ Connor.  Cvetic counted O’ Connor along with Common Pleas Court Judge Alann Hertzberg, City Councilman Dan Deasy and State Senator Wayne Fontana, D- Brookline, among he politicians who help to maintain local boxing’s progress.  In turn, Cvetic said, his organization donates a portion of the gate receipts to the host churches.

            Other upcoming venues include the Holiday Inn in Moon next week, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Conference Center on the South Side March 11, the Shriners Center March 17 for the semifinals, and the regional finals at Saddle Ridge in Station Square March 23 and IUP’s Memorial Field House March 24.

            Tickets for the card tonight ranging from $12-$30 can be purchased at the door, through Ticketmaster or by calling the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League’s marketing director, Scott Brigger, 412-716-3650.