http://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-gill08.html
Gill, 37, will make his professional boxing debut June 25 at the Aragon
Ballroom, 1106W.Lawrence. The 6-5 Gill, who weighed 216 pounds while playing
for the Bulls during his last NBA season in 2003-04, will fight a
four-rounder in the cruiserweight division, which is for fighters weighing
between 175 and 200.
''I'm excited,'' Gill said. ''It's something I've always wanted to do. I've
been a boxing fanatic forever. I have a whole library of fights.''
Included in that library are examples of the dangers of boxing, from
devastating knockouts to fighters staying in the sport too long and
suffering brain damage. Gill understands the risks.
''I just want a handful of fights,'' he said. ''I'm not trying to be the
heavyweight champion of the world. It's too unhealthy of a sport to stay in
too long.''
Gill started boxing 15 months ago, but he has extensive experience in the
martial arts of Muay Thai boxing and Jujitsu.
He recently helped train Andrei Arlovski, who retained his ultimate fighting
heavyweight championship during a pay-per-view event Saturday in Atlantic
City, N.J.
''I got him ready for his fight,'' Gill said. ''We sparred every day.''
Gill was known throughout his basketball career as someone who kept himself
in top condition. How that translates into aggression and resiliency inside
the ring in front of paid customers remains to be seen.
''You're going to like what you see,'' Gill said.
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