Lyell back in ring vs. Overbey

STAFF REPORT

NILES — Middleweight boxer Billy Lyell of Niles, who upended previously-undefeated and No. 2-ranked John Duddy last April, will return to the ring tonight against veteran Chris Overbey of Dayton in Charleston, W. Va.

Lyell (19-7, 3 KOs) and Overbey (9-11) will be paired in a scheduled eight-round match-up, one of three professional bouts on the pro-amateur card at the Appalachian Power Park in downtown Charleston.

Lyell, a Youngstown State graduate who is managed by Pat Nelson and trained by Jack Loew of the South Side Boxing Club, is the North American Boxing Council middleweight champion.

He also is ranked No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 19 by the World Boxing Council.

Lyell surged up the world rankings with a 10-round split decision over Duddy at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on April 25. Duddy had won 26 straight bouts before losing to Lyell.

In the cofeatured bout, Dezi Ford (24-25) of Alliance will meet Joey Myers (12-1) of Charleston in a scheduled six-round professional welterweight matchup.

The other pro bout is between heavyweights Jason Pettaway (2-0) of Morgantown, W. Va., and Julius Jackson 3-3 of Cincinnati.