Published: Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009 04:52 PM
Shay on Saturday fight card
FORT MILL TOWNSHIP --
Ryan Shay will return to the ring at the Garden Cafe Event Center on West Liberty Street in York as part of the July 18 Rumble in the Garden.
The event will feature eight professional fights including one professional woman's bout.
Shay, professional boxer and trainer, last fought in Myrtle Beach in April and won a four-round decision and improved his record to 4-6. He was formerly the South Carolina Golden Gloves champion and turned pro after establishing an 11-2 amateur record.
He'll take on Joe Varnes from Charleston Saturday.
“I don't look for the fight to go past the second round,” Shay said. “I have been training hard and have been visualizing how this fight is going to go and what I need to do to be successful.”
He currently is training nine aspiring fighters, including teenager Alex Friday of Tega Cay, in a building he rents near his house.
Shay's desire to teach and mentor kids interested in the sport came from Shane Benfield, who will fight in the main event Saturday and has an 18-2 record with nine knockouts.
“Shane has always given me so much; he provided me with a gym and a place to work out and he never charged me for it,” Shay said. “He always told us that once we become professional fighters, we should train other kids and teach them what we know. I just want to give back to the people that have done me right, and teach kids what I have been taught.”
Shay ultimately wants to get a shot at the CBA title, but says there is no timetable for that to happen. Starting Saturday he can make a case that he deserves a title shot and continue to move up the professional ranks.
“I'm excited for the fight and we are in my hometown,” said Shay, who will be led to the ring by his nine trainees. “I have been training hard and visualizing how this fight is going to go for a long time. I want to go out there and impress my students and make my hometown proud.”
The boxing will get underway at 7:30 and tickets start at $25. For more information, visit www.whiterockboxing.com or call 803-417-0782.
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