Although he has been boxing less than a year, Dylan Black has major ambitions.

"I want to go pro," said the Midland Valley High School sophomore.

Dylan started boxing in November. His father, Joel Black, was helping build the North Augusta Police Athletic League Boxing Club's new gym in Burnettown, which opened in December, and the two of them talked to Jo-Anne Newman, one of the club's founders.

"She told me about how good boxers train," Dylan said.

Dylan had participated in sports such as wrestling before and decided to give boxing a go.

"I like the fact that you get to show off your skills fighting," he said.

Boxing is a good way to channel frustrations and keep the fighting in the ring and not in the streets, he said.

Also, boxing has helped him get into shape, he said.

He has fared well in his brief time in the sport, winning the Junior Olympics state title in May and the Ladson championship belt in the 132-pound, 16-year-old division in a competition in Eutawville, S.C., on Sept. 20.

"He's a future star in boxing. He'll make it if he stays in the ring," Mrs. Newman said.

Dylan's next bout will likely be in December when the boxing club is the site of the South Carolina Silver Gloves Championship. The competition is for boxers between the ages of 8 and 15, but there will be club bouts for boxers 16 and older, said Mrs. Newman.

Mrs. Newman is looking forward to the December matches. "It's the first event in this (new) building," she said.