April 12, 2025, CLEVELAND, Ohio — Local 1760 Chairperson Andrew Wirth entered the ring at the historic LaSalle Theatre in Cleveland on Saturday night, and three rounds later emerged a champion. Wirth earned a victory by decision over reigning champion Michael Pinto. He is now the 168-pound Masters Amateur Division Title champion.
It was a fight defined by heart, endurance, and strategy, three traits Wirth carries with him as a conductor and as a Local Chair. Like all railroaders, Wirth has plenty of experience meeting pressure with purpose and turning adversity into motivation. When the final bell rang, there was no doubt: Brother Wirth had put in the work to earn the title.
Legislative Representative Andrew Curto, also from Local 1760, was in attendance along with nine others repping SMART-TD. “Everyone in the local was excited for Andy,” Curto said. “He had some nerves before the fight, which anyone would, but I’ve known him long enough to recognize the moment everything shifted. Before that bell rang, I saw the look — stone cold and locked in. When he’s like that, you just know. Pinto might’ve been favored to win and had the reach advantage, but the second I saw that look, I knew the champ was in for a bad night.”
Curto added, “There’s a reason he (Brother Wirth) can win a boxing match, and it’s the same reason he is the best LC around.”
Over the years, Wirth has become a familiar face in discipline hearings, defending the rights of SMART-TD members with precision and fire. Michigan State Safety and Legislative Director Don Roach, a member of Local 1760 himself, had high praise for the new champion:
“He’s a fighter in every sense of the word. I told him he’d better start bringing that title belt with him into disciplinary hearings. Let CSX see exactly who they’re messing with when they try to come after our members.”
Belt in hand, Wirth returns to the rails and Rougmere Yard, ready as ever to stand up for his brothers and sisters in SMART-TD.
Congratulations, Brother Wirth! You represented SMART-TD well, and we are all proud of you!
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