Junior lightweight Shakhzod Atoev, from Uzbekistan. is known as "Shak." He will makes his pro debut Friday evening, Jan. 31th, when he faces North Carolina's Juan Ibarra (0-2) in a four-round contest at the Parx Casino in Bensalem, PA. The 22-year-old Shak came to the USA in 2008 and lives in the Somerton section of Northeast Philadelphia. He had seven amateur fights in Uzbekistan and continued his amateur career here while attending Washington High School. Because he goes back yearly to Uzbekistan, Shak had trouble moving up through the ranks of amateur boxing, thus his decision to turn pro after fighting 17 times in the USA as an amateur, "He doesn't have the number of amateur fights that you normally see," said trainer Mike Cassell, "but don't let that fool you. The skill level and the pedigree is there."

 

Two of Shak's brothers were national champions back home. "I have no limits as a pro," said Shak. "If I want a shot at being great, it's up to me. Where I come from made me who I am and will not hinder my advancement with my professional career."

 

Shak currently attends Bucks County Community College while working multiple jobs and training nights and on weekends.