Sensational amateur boxer Naziyr Bell will move to the professional ranks on Saturday, August 1st as he makes his pro debut at an evening of world class boxing, presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO Boxing Promotions, at the Sovereign Bank Stadium.

A native of nearby Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Bell finished his amateur career with a record of 93-7. The 27 year old father of three was a five time Pennsylvania State Champion, most recently winning the 2009 Pennsylvania Golden Gloves.

Guided by longtime trainer Barry Stumpf, Bell will make his pro debut in a scheduled four round light heavyweight bout.

“Naziyr has been a fantastic amateur and his world class skills will really have an impact in the professional ranks. We’re glad that he’s making his pro debut so close to home as there will be a large contingent of fans from Lancaster ” said Stumpf.

“He’s overcome a lot in his life. When I first met him he was at the ARC of Lancaster for at risk kids. Now he’s a counselor there, helping other kids, he’s really turned his life around and making his pro debut is a huge personal step for him.” More...

Promoter Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions and Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves will present a sensational world championship fight card on Friday, August 22, 2008, at the Sommet Center, located at 501 Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. The main event and co-featured bout will be televised live on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights."

In the 12 round main event for the vacant IBO Featherweight world title, Fernando Beltran Jr., 30-3-1 (18), of Culiacan, Mexico, will fight Takalani Ndlovu, 28-4 (18), of Johannesburg, South Africa. More...

Many amateur boxers who do not qualify for national teams often develop into better pros than some Olympians. Contrasting styles and maturation processes often are contributing factors and 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor could very well be the next example of a boxer becoming a better professional than amateur. More...

**With Slideshow**

© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

April saw the conclusion of the 81st Annual Daily News Golden Gloves, a tournament that began at the end of January. Each year the famed amateur tournament holds the finals at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, a highlight that many professionals never get the opportunity to experience.

Over the course of two nights the finals put on a total of 33 bouts in the various novice, open and women’s weight classes. In attendance were several past champions including: Jake LaMotta, Mark Breland, Iran Barkley, Emile Griffith, Junior Jones and Monte Barrett.

Also in attendance was two-time National and two-time New York City Golden Glove Champion, Sadam Ali who will be representing the United States in Beijing, China at the 2008 Olympics this August.

Mastic resident Joseph Smith of Veteran’s Memorial Gym made his way to the 178-pound novice finals via 3 knockouts, 1 decision and 1 bye to face Long Beach native Sean Monaghan of Freeport PAL who had a record of 3 decisions, 1 knockout and 1 bye. Both fighters threw hard power punches during the bout but it was Smith who was poised and relaxed as he used superior boxing skills and combinations to outpoint Monaghan by a unanimous 5-0 decision. More...