Clark Boxer to Make Pro Debut in Super Middleweight Bout

A local boxer is taking a big leap forward: Anthony Patanella makes his professional debut Aug. 15 in Pennsylvania as part of promoter Damon Feldman’s Champions of Tomorrow boxing series, the Independent Press reported.

The 32-year-old Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School graduate, a former wrestler who now boxes under the name Anthony Patanella Stallone, faces another debuting pugilist, Philadelphia's Lavon Slade, in a four-round Super Middleweight bout. He said he added "Stallone" to his name to pay tribute to the "Rocky" movies that propelled actor-writer Sylvester Stallone to fame.

Patanella said he won't be stopped by those who say he is too old and is preparing for the Aug. 15 match at the Elizabeth Rec Center with coach Don Givens, a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. And he promised his debut is "going to be a knockout." 

Tickets are on sale now at webtix.net.