The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN approximately two weeks, Amron Sands will re-enter the ring, looking to extend his undefeated streak in the professional ranks.

Sands will fight on the undercard of the Bicentennial Beatdown Championship, May 17 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. His opponent has yet to be named.

Headlining the event is Mayweather Promotions and The Money Team’s LaDarius “Memphis” Miller against former lightweight world champion Fernando Saucedo in a 10-round bout for the American Boxing Federation Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title. Also featured on the undercard is seven-time female World Boxing Champion Ava “The Lady” Knight vs Crystal Hoy in an eight-round bout for the ABF female flyweight title.

In addition, Lanell “KO” Bellows and Juan Barajas will fight a 10-round bout for the ABF super middlewight title and Memphis’ own Grover Young will take on Juan Torres in a six-round bout for the ABF USA Mid-American heavyweight title.

The night will feature multiple fighters including international talent such as Farkhad Sharipov who will fight Donald “The Bull Dog” Ward in an eight round bout for the ABF Welterweight Title.

Sands, 8-0 (7 KOs) last fought on February 16 in a TKO win over Hector Hodge at the St. Petersburg Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The 24-year-old made his heavyweight debut with a TKO win over Julio Mendoza at the Lakeland Events Center in Lakeland, Florida, on August 5 2017. He followed with consecutive knockout wins over Eric Evans (November 18 at the Crossroads Arena in Corinth) and Kendrick Houston (February 17 2018 at the Orlando Live Event Center). He spoiled the debut for Darrell Parker with a TKO at the Florida State Fairgrounds Hall in Tampa on May 18. Sands made his pro debut at home on the undercard of “The Backyard Rumble” with a unanimous decision over Jerry Butler on May 26.

He returned to the US and scored a knockout win over Cade Rodriguez on July 21. He then defeated American journeyman Francois Russell via second round TKO on the undercard of Friday Night Brawl, hosted at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC Auditorium in Tampa, Florida.

Based in Orlando, Florida at Orlando Boxing Academy, Sands continues to build his record in preparation for expansion. “Right now they’re building my record. Once I get to 10-0 you’ll see me branching out and fighting in other states and really expanding,” he said, “It’s a process, getting promoters used to the ‘Sandman’ and where I’m from. All of that is a part of the game - getting me used to different styles, different promoters, different crowds – it’s all a learning experience.”

A former basketball player, Sands used boxing to help his recovery process following an injury, but eventually fell in love with the sport. He made the full transition and spent three years in the amateur ranks.