BOXING Another Richardson joins pro ranks

Durrell Richardson will make his pro boxing debut Thursday at Mountaineer.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Richardson family has been one of the staples of the Valley's boxing scene for the last 25 years.
Monday at Jolly Joe's sports bar, the latest in a long and successful family line of boxers turned pro.
Durrell Richardson announced he will make his pro ring debut Thursday in a welterweight fight at Mountaineer Gaming Resort.
Chester Richardson, Durrell's father, and his uncles Ollie Jr., Greg and Randy, have carried the Richardson name well in local boxing circles for nearly the past quarter of a century.
Greg Richardson held the WBC's world bantamweight title from 1991-92, and is very high on his nephew's opportunity as a pro boxer.
Has promise
"Durrell is a very good mover with a lot of strength who likes to box. He uses the ring well, and with experience he can be a standout professional."
It took a while for Durrell to follow family tradition, but more than five years ago he went to Jack Loew at the Southside Boxing Club.
"How could I pass up a Richardson who wanted to fight?," recalled Loew.
What followed was a 42-7 amateur record that included Golden Glove championships in Youngstown, Akron and Cleveland, and two trips to the national tournament, and in 2002 he won the 147-pound national title.
Richardson had aspirations for the coming Olympics, but they ended a few weeks ago when he decided to get paid for his ring efforts.
Life-long goal
Sitting with his mother, Renee, and his son, Durrell Jr., Richardson said, "This is what I have wanted to do all of my life, and aside from the Olympics I have accomplished everything I could as an amateur.
"Now my goals in the ring are bigger and they are all ahead of me."
Added Loew: "He has accomplished what he can as an amateur, and this is a perfect time for him to turn pro.
"He has outstanding speed, and a major asset for him in the ring is being a southpaw," added Loew.
Richardson will fight DeWayne Holland (0-3) from Cleveland in a four-round bout, as part of an eight-fight card promoted by Greg Nixon.
Other bouts
Johnny "Macho Midget" Bailey (21-11, 14 KOs) from New Cumberland, W. Va., will be in a six-round welterweight bout with Gerald Reed from Lexington, Ky.
Also on the card in a four-round light heavyweight battle will be Warren's Etianne "E.T." Whitaker, who is managed by Pat Nelson. Whitaker (29-12-2, 17 KOs) will fight Carlos Bates (30-20, 16 KOs) from Columbus.
Verquan Kimbrough (5-0, 3 KOs) from Aliquippa, Pa., will face Terrence Roy (5-2) from Ripley, Tenn., in a six-round featherweight bout, and Monty Clay (7-0, 4 KOs) from Ambridge, Pa., will face Dustin Caplinger (1-1, 1 KO) from Zanesville in a junior lightweight six-rounder.