By Randy Hammericksen

Six Bulldog Boxing Club fighters will compete for state championship honors at Saturday's Oregon Silver Gloves boxing tournament.

The tournament, for boys ages 10 to 15, will start at 7:30 p.m. in the DoubleTree Hotel's main ballroom. It will be hosted by Oregon Silver Gloves Boxing Association and the Bulldog Boxing Club of Medford.

State finals winners will advance to the regional finals Jan. 17 at Great Falls, Mont. The six Bulldog boxers entered for Saturday's state finals are: Boone Wyatt (11-0) at 80 pounds; Troy Wohosky (2-1) at 85; Ricky Gallegos (8-1) at 125; Homero Gonzalez (8-2) at 139; Dennis Jackson (3-2) at 165; and Mike Wilson (5-0) at 201.

Competing in the novice division are Clancy Finchim (100) and Pancho Esqueda (119) from the Bulldog club.

Wyatt and Wohosky are in the intermediate division (ages 12-13) and Gallegos, Gonzalez, Jackson and Wilson are in the seniors division (ages 14-15).

"I think all of those kids have a good chance of winning and going to the regionals," says Joe Pedrojetti, owner and coach of the Bulldog club. "If any of them don't win, they'll be in a heck of a battle.

"Our kids have stepped up in competition as they've gotten better. Most of our kids are in the best shape they have been in, and they are ready to go."

Other teams entering boxers in the tournament are from Sweet Home, Coos Bay, West Eugene, Burns, Canby and Portland.

Admission prices are $12 for reserved seats and $8 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the DoubleTree Hotel, Joseph Winans Furniture and at the door.

"Spectators are going to see some of the best young boxers around," says Pedrojetti. "And our kids should be real competitive.

"It will be exciting because it's going to be the amateur style of boxing. It means a lot of busy, busy fighting and a lot of punches being thrown."

Public address announcer for the card will be Jimmy Lennon Jr., who is the voice of boxing at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

"Tickets are going fast," says Pedrojetti. "The ballroom seats about 800 spectators. It's become pretty popular having our bouts there. It has the Las Vegas look of boxing because it's in a nice room and because people can purchase food and something to drink in there."

The national Silver Gloves finals will be held Feb. 4-7 in Lenexa, Kan. All regional champions will qualify for the national meet.