Professional boxing comes to St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Bear Den Boxing Club is bringing a professional boxing event to St. Joseph.

This marks the first professional boxing event to take place in St. Joseph since 2019.

The Bear Den Boxing Club has put on three amateur events in St. Joseph. However, this will mark the first pro boxing event the club has hosted.

"A lot of people want to be a part of this show. We're very excited about it. It's a huge, huge opportunity to put on a professional boxing match. And then also adding your amateur team to it. It's just amazing," said Byron Polley, owner of The Bear Den Boxing Club.

When Bear Den Boxing opened its doors back in March of 2022, the gym had just five members. Three years later, they are on the verge of hosting a professional event containing seven pro fights.

Not only will this be the first professional event the Boxing Club has put on, but the co-main event will also feature Bear Den boxing co-owner, Colby Courted.

"It's definitely awesome that, you know, where we came from to what we are. Now that, you know, we can do this, we've put on, I think, four amateur shows and, this being the first pro-am that we're doing, and then I get to be a part of it is special, and it's awesome that I get to do it," said Colby Courted, professional boxer and co-owner of The Bear Den Boxing Club.

The pro-amateur event will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the East Hills Mall.