The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ONE month under new management, Amron Sands has made another progressive step outside of the ring and joined a new promotional outlet in search of new opportunities.

Sands joined DiBella Entertainment as the latest addition to its roster of heavyweight prospects.

"I signed with DiBella Entertainment because Lou is one of the most trustworthy promoters in boxing and he has great relationships in the business to get my name out there," said Sands.

"I know that with his guidance I can become the heavyweight champion of the world. I can box and I can bang and I'm what the heavyweight division needs.

"I'm very excited about my future and I am ready to put in the work."

Sands, 25, is currently undefeated at 8-0 with 7KOs.

Announcements on his first fight under the promotion are set in short order.

"Amron is a big heavyweight with a lot of power," said Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment.

"The heavyweight division is hot right now and Sands has the kind of style that will entertain the audience. I'm happy to be working again with my friend Kevin Dever and, together, we will make sure that Amron reaches his full potential."

Sands joined Kevin Dever Sports Management last month.

"I have always had a great working relationship with Lou DiBella. He genuinely cares about his fighters," said Kevin Dever. "DiBella Entertainment knows how to build a fighter to become a world champion and I know that Amron is in good hands."

Sands last fought on February 16 in a TKO win over Hector Hodge at the St Petersburg Coliseum in St Petersburg, Florida.

After earning silver at the 2014 Independent Cup in the Dominican Republic, Sands trained in Orlando, Florida, at Orlando Boxing Academy.

He continues to build his record in preparation for expansion. He fought his way to an amateur record of 40-3 before his ascension to the pro ranks.

His amateur résumé has been highlighted by a first place finish at the 2015 Florida State PAL Boxing Championships and qualification for the 2016 Sugar Bert Promotions Title Belt National Qualifier. He made his heavyweight debut with a TKO win over Julio Mendoza at the Lakeland Events Center in Lakeland, Florida, on August 5 2017.

Sands followed with consecutive knockout wins over Eric Evans (November 18 at the Crossroads Arena in Corinth) and Kendrick Houston (February 17 2018 at the Orlando Live Event Center).

He spoiled the debut for Darrell Parker with a TKO at the Florida State Fairgrounds Hall in Tampa on May 18.

Sands made his pro debut at home on the undercard of "The Backyard Rumble" with an unanimous decision over Jerry Butler on May 26. He returned to the US and scored a knockout win over Cade Rodriguez on July 21. He then defeated American journeyman Francois Russell via second round TKO on the undercard of Friday Night Brawl, hosted at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC Auditorium in Tampa, Florida.

"I can do it all. I can box, but I favour brawling, because it shows who has the bigger heart. No one has a bigger heart than me," Sands said. "I just need to listen to my team and let Kevin do his job. I'll do mine and we can make it to the top."

A former basketball player, Sands used boxing to help his recovery process following an injury, but eventually took on the sport full time. He made the full transition and spent three years in the amateur ranks.

Sands travelled to training camps in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela in an effort to prepare for the 2016 Olympics, but decided to turn pro once that dream did not come to fruition.