Austintown’s own Chris Koval (right) got back into a boxing ring for the first time in over a year.  Koval faced James Porter of Terre Haute, Indiana in a scheduled four-round heavyweight contest.

Koval came away with the decision.  One judge scored it a 38-38 draw, the other two scored it 39-37 for Koval.  “It was a tough fight, and I am glad I got the work”, remarked Koval.  “It wasn’t pretty, but it is what it is – a win.  I have been off for over a year and shook some cobwebs off, I am a lot lighter than I was a year ago.  That helped me in one sense, but I only had three days of sparring.”

Koval, donning ‘Bill’s Place’ trunks came in looking physically fit compared to his last couple of fights.  The first round was pretty even as both fighters had their moments on offense.  Porter started strong and ended strong, and Koval dominated the middle.

In the second round, Koval, aka Special K, established a jab and took control of the pace.  Porter put together a couple of nice flurries but Koval did a little more to win the round.

Koval displayed good ring generalship in the third as he worked from the middle-out.  Porter spent a lot of the round circling Koval.  Both fighters landed good punches in the round with Koval’s biggest shot of the fight, a short left hook landing, but not hurting Porter.  Give the close round to Koval.

In the fourth and final round,  Koval landed some shots and to Porter’s credit, he kept throwing as well.  It was a good pace for two heavyweights and both fighters maintained it.

* Photos Courtesy of Ron Stevens