Climbing the ladder from amateur to professional is an ultimate goal in the sport of boxing. For Anthony Pietrantonio, 25, Sharon, this accomplishment will be fulfilled today when he makes his professional debut in Monroville, Pa.

Becoming a professional athlete not only takes talent, it takes skill and determination. Pietrantonio, also know as the "Italian Nightmare," says he sees himself becoming the champion because of the help from his superiors, Frank West, trainer/coach, and Chuck Nelson, manager.

"I've been training fighters for over 40 years. I had one other guy come from out of Sharon as a heavy weight boxer. Anthony use to come down to the gym with him," said Frank West, Pietrantonio's trainer.

"He always spared with the other guys and I asked him if he wanted to fight and he said yes."

For more than five years, Pietrantonio has been boxing and turning professional, he says, is just the start for his career. His final challenge is to be a world champ.

"A friend of mine took me over to the gym to watch them train and that same day I started training and never quit, he said. "I started out knowing nothing about boxing but I took it on and I perfected it and turned myself into a professional."

Idols that he looks up to are Sugar Ray Robinson and Rocky Marciano. But Pietrantonio says his top idol would be his trainer, Frank West. "I look up to Mr. West for lots of reasons because hešs been in the boxing business since the 40s and boxed in the amateurs when he was in the army," Pietrantonio said.

"Hešs had over thirty professional fights and has trained people like E.T. Whitaker from Warren and his son who was ranked No. 2 in the world in the š90s," he said.

Just as important as the trainer, the manager plays an important role in the pros. Chuck Nelson, who manages Pietrantonio, says being a professional is all about work ethics and hard work.

"He has a strong desire to be a world champion and is in good physical condition," Nelson said.

Nelson, who manages his boxing program, is the current director of the K.O. Drugs Boxing Tournament for high school kids. He is also the founder and CEO of the tournament.

Pietrantoniošs professional debut today at the Radison Hotel in Monroville. He will be up against Mahomid Kieta, 22, of Monroville, in a scheduled four-round bout. The event is slated for 8 p.m. For more information or directions, contact the Radison Hotel at 412-373-7300.