AT THE AGE OF 13, Daniel Thomas showed up at the Concord Youth Center for his first session with boxing trainer Gary Sullenger.

Although that workout was two years ago, Thomas remembers it clearly.  Being a big boxing fan who loved to watch the sport with his dad (John Thomas of Bethel Island), Thomas wanted to see firsthand what the sport was all about.

“I didn’t know what to expect.” Thomas said.  “I just remember being all sweaty and feeling sick.”

He learned in two hours that he wasn’t in the greatest shape and that boxing would take dedication.

Two years later, he is now one of the promising amateurs at the Community Youth Center (which changed its name from the Concord Youth Center).

On Thursday, Thomas (7-1) will be one of the main event fighters on an amateur card to be held at the Big C Athletic Club, 1381 Galaxy Way, Concord.

The show will include a pasta dinner, which begins at 6 p.m. before boxing begins at 7:45.  Tickets are $80, $60 and $40 and can be purchased by calling the athletic club at 925-671-2110 or the community center at 925-671-7070. A $25 ticket is available for children 18 and under.  Proceeds benefit the CYC.

Sullenger said Thomas is the perfect example of why members of the community should support CYC.

“He is not our most talented boxer,” Sullenger said.  “But he is one of our hardest workers, and he is a great kid.”

Thomas is 6-foot-1 but fights at 125 pounds.

“I am not an inside guy.” Thomas said.  “I box and I use my jab.  I have to stay on the outside.”

Eventually, Thomas hopes to grow into his frame.  “I want to do it slowly and I want to move up by gaining in muscle.” He said.

He said one of his favorite pro boxers is Arturo Gatti.

“I love dedication and the way a fighter will go down but then he will get back up.” Thomas said.

So far, during his career Thomas has yet to hit the canvas.

“I haven’t even had a standing eight count.” He said.

Sullenger is putting together eight to 10 amateur bouts on Thursday’s card, and he will begin to match Thomas against tougher opponents as he gains more experience.

Thomas said he loves working with Sullenger and just being at the center.

“It’s a very nice facility.” Thomas said.  “It doesn’t get any better.  They give you anything you could want.”

“And working with Gary has been great.  He has been in boxing a long time and I don’t think there is anybody around who could teach you more.  Each week I feel I am getting a little better.”

Sullenger expects to have at least three of his boxers showcased Thursday.  Besides Thomas, Sullenger is working to put together bouts for Jody Smith and Edgar Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is a 17-year-old Pittsburg resident who fights at 132 pounds. He has won both his amateur bouts.

Smith is a 32-year-old Cordelia resident, doubles as an assistant coach at the CYC.  He will box in the light-heavy-weight division.

As a bonus, fans will be treated to three USA Boxing “box-off” bouts to determine which athletes advance to the USA Boxing Regionals.

Most of the USA Boxing box-off tournament is being held Saturday and Sunday in Sacramento, but Sullenger said three weight classes have so many entries that those brackets can’t be completed in two days.  Fighters in those divisions will fight once Saturday, once Sunday and then determine the champion Thursday in Concord.

“These will qualify fights.” Sullenger said.