Live boxing makes its debut at Highmark Stadium with Turf Wars II

By Saul Berrios-Thomas / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The sweet science will shine under the Pittsburgh skyline with the Monongahela River flowing behind.

That’s the setting for Turf Wars II on Saturday, July 12, a night of live boxing featuring plenty of entertainment and some unique surprises along the way at Highmark Stadium.

Headlining the card is the fight’s promoter, Bill Hutchinson, who boasts a 21-3-4 record with 10 knockouts. His most recent fight ended in a thunderous KO of Saul Corral at the original Turf Wars on March 1.

Hutch, as he’s known by his legions of fans, is stepping up the level of competition this time out. The 36-year-old will be facing Derrick Whitley Jr. (9-5-2), a rangy southpaw, for the UBF All-America title in the welterweight division.

Hutchinson says his body “hates” him at this point in his career, but 14 years in the professional ring have also fortified his knowledge of the sport on a deeper level.

“The reality is I'm performing right now at as high of a level as I ever have,” he said. “I'm probably better today than I've ever been. That's just a fact.”

Add onto the rigorous training and rounds of sparring the fact that Hutchinson is the architect of the entire event, and it becomes clear the Montour High School grad is doing this because he loves it.

“I don't need these headaches. Make no mistake,” Hutchinson said. “You think I want to be on the phone with, you know, a young opponent fighter's manager negotiating over hotel or per diem? ... But I love this [expletive], OK? I love fighting. I love boxing.”

Turf Wars II isn’t just about the main event. It’s about elevating Pittsburgh boxing. Hutchinson wants to give back and give younger fighters chances he never had. The card has been carefully crafted. Every bout tells a new story.

Up next

Perhaps the most captivating story on the card is the tale of another Montour grad, Sal DeSimone. The 28-year-old is 3-0 and has an extensive amateur career, which includes making it to the amateur national championships as a two-time Western Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion.

“He is a stud,” Hutchinson said. “People need to see him perform.”

DeSimone was born to fight. At the age of 4, he was already in the gym learning judo at Kim’s Martial Arts in Cranberry.

As he got older, he tried tae kwon do and other martial arts. But he was also a fighter outside of sanctioned bouts. He made plenty of mistakes and paid the price for those mistakes. His path took him to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he excelled before getting into legal trouble. At that point, he knew he had to make a change.

DeSimone tried his hand at mixed martial arts, and it went well at first. He built up a 3-0 record and was having fun — until his fourth fight.

“I fought a D1 wrestler from Kent State, and he just held me down the whole time,” he recalled.

“I rocked him at the beginning, and then he just started wrestling me the whole rest of the fight. So, I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get to entertain the people. I feel like I could have knocked him out.”

After that, boxing became his path. He started working out at Steel City Boxing on the North Side.

DeSimone knew how to throw a punch and how to take one. What needed to be refined was his technique. He had a unique stance due to his martial arts background, so he had to find the balance of remaining himself while working in a new discipline.

Once he got into the ring for his pro debut, he realized the difference between amateur and pro boxing.

“The 8-ounce gloves are definitely a big deal. It feels like you got nothing on your hands,” DeSimone said. “You feel every punch, especially when you throw it to the body. Defense, also.

“Amateur boxing is more point-based and you're trying to score as much as possible. In the pros you make sure that you have good defense so you don't get caught with any shots because it's a one-shot game, especially in the little gloves. So you have to be sharper on offense and defense, not just offense.”

Is DeSimone the next big thing in Pittsburgh boxing? Only time will tell, but he certainly has the motivation to get there. His 4-year-old son Luca is what drives him to step in the ring.

“He is the biggest blessing in my life,” he said, welling with pride. “I grind every day for him, hustle every day because that's what my father did for me. I have to do the same for him. It motivates me to grind hard and I have to make him proud and provide for him. So I'm fighting for everything, whatever it takes to get in there and get it done.”

Well-read Ed

Ed Latimore is 40. He’s not looking to become the next world heavyweight champion. But his story is so unique, you could write a book about it. In fact, he has.

“Hard Lessons From the Hurt Business: Boxing and the Art of Life” (Portfolio, $30) is Latimore’s third published book, and it will release on Aug. 5.

He spent the first 18 years of his life in low-income, government-subsidized public housing. He attended Schenley High School. Right away, he saw chaos and tragedy all around him. He saw people fighting just to get by. He knew he wanted more, and he was determined to find that path.

Despite his intention to buck the trend, things didn’t always go that way. Latimore developed a drinking problem, but he realized where he was headed and made a change. He enlisted in the military and began boxing, which gave him discipline and something to work toward.

On Dec. 23, 2013, Latimore had his last drink. The military helped him get into college and he graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in physics.

His last professional bout was in 2016. So why return now?

“The book is about my story and how boxing played a role in shaping me and changing my life,” Latimore said. “It's one thing to write a book about fighting. It's another thing to step back into the ring. That grabs a lot of attention, and I know about the power of the attention.”

What to know about Turf Wars II

The card also includes: Tommy Parker (2-1, 2 KOs), a crowd-pleasing brawler from the North Side who brings a massive local following; and Paul Palumbo (7-0, 1 KO), a tough southpaw looking to continue his unbeaten streak.

A unique exhibition match will feature Shane Chojnacki, known in the pro wrestling world as Victor Benjamin. The first ever Bruno Sammartino champion, he is coming off of a knockout win at the first Turf Wars.

The Brashear High School graduate is set for an exhibition match.

“We are giving the people of Pittsburgh what they deserve,” Chojnacki said. “They are hard-working, blue-collar people, and they’re spending their hard-earned money to watch me go in there. So, you know I’m giving them a knockout.”

Turf Wars II is by Pittsburghers and for Pittsburghers.

Local barber Cody Sheets of Bridge City Barber Company in Crafton will sing the national anthem. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ pregame DJ Galiffa will be providing the vibes all night long. There will also be live performances from Pittsburgh artists and the University of Pittsburgh drum line.

Highmark Stadium’s riverside backdrop and open-air atmosphere create an electric setting.

“It’s right on the river, with the mountain behind us. It’s going to amplify the sound, the energy,” Hutchinson said.

“I don’t think there is a venue in the world that duplicates this,” Chojnacki added. “Every morning I drive past this stadium. I see it in my dreams. I can’t be more locked in.”

The ring will be on the field, with premium seating up close and standing-room options for fans who want to soak in the atmosphere.

“We want fans entertained from the moment they walk in, until they leave,” Hutchinson emphasized.

“We’re giving Pittsburgh a show they’ll remember,” Hutchinson vowed.

Tickets, which range from $56-$159 each, are available at Ticketmaster.com.