Butte La Rose – Motorists in the Butte La Rose area of St. Martin Parish may have seen a teenager jogging along the community’s roadways and wondered just what the youngster was up to.

That dedicated athlete is Dylon Hollier, who will make his debut in professional boxing on Saturday, June 16 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.

Dylon’s father, Shayne Hollier of Butte La Rose, says his son first became interested in boxing as an 11-year-old after attending several boxing shows where he watched Bad Chad Broussard and Jason Papillion fight. Dylon was a 4th grade student at Ossun Elementary at the time and told his father he wanted to take up the sport.

“Dylon was chubby and a bit clumsy and I was really reluctant to let him start boxing,” Shayne recalls.

The father and son made a deal that if Dylon kept his grades up and passed the 4th grade LEAP test he’d be allowed to take part in the sport.

Dylon held up his end of the bargain and Shayne contacted Tony Thibodeaux, a trainer who specialized in amateur boxing. Thibodeaux was recommended by Broussard, who said that Thibodeaux was the best fundamental boxing coach in the area.

Shayne Hollier’s concerns about boxing were eased after he met Thibodeaux, who pointed out that there were fewer injuries in boxing than in football and promised that he would never put Dylon into a situation he was not ready for.

Thibodeaux proved a perfect fit for young Hollier and he made rapid progress after beginning his training routine.

Dylon, who will begin his senior year at Cecilia High School in the fall, now has more than 50 amateur bouts under his belt, going 9-1 during 2010 before taking a year off. His many titles collected during his amateur career include two-time Louisiana-Mississippi Jr. Olympic champion, five-time Louisiana Golden Gloves champion, two-time Southern Association boxer of the year, 2010 Southeast Regional U.S. 141-lbs. J.O. champion, and 2010 U.S. Jr. Olympic Top 10 rating.

When he learned that there would be no 2012 Louisiana Golden Gloves tournament, Dylon felt it was time to join the professional ranks. He still trains under Thibodeaux with Broussard serving as his strength and conditioning coach and promoter. “I plan to go as far as I can as a professional boxer,” he says.

Dylon will start the show at Evangeline Downs on June 16 on an action-packed world title card featuring rock hard Mighty Mason Menard (19-1), Bailey Bobbit (8-1), Travis Scott (10-0), Cody Richard (8-0) and Chris Singelton (4-0).

For tickets, call 322-7895.