BUTLER TWP Candice Berner did what she had to do in California: get into boxing.

Now that she's back home in Pennsylvania, Berner is doing what she wants to do: stay in boxing.

After working with trainer Don Spinetti for a year at the Butler Cubs Hall, the 1996 Grove City High graduate is competing in one of the eight amateur fights on the undercard of the Brian Minto-Matt Greer main event Friday night at the Butler Days Inn.

Berner (3-3) is taking on Lauren Fisher (4-2) in a rematch of their bout six weeks ago in New Castle. Berner won that fight in a split decision.

"It was a close fight and I assume this one will be, too," Berner said. "(Fisher) was pretty mad when she didn't get the decision that night."

Fisher is a senior at Indiana (Pa.) University majoring in fashion merchandising. Berner, 30, is studying for her master's degree in special education at Slippery Rock University.

Berner spent five years teaching special education in an inner-city school district in California before returning home a year ago to pursue her master's.

"I attended a job seminar with representatives from California there," Berner said of her decision to head west. "I found out how attainable jobs were out there, especially if you were willing to teach in the urban areas.

"It was tough when I got out there. My classroom was primarily Hispanic kids and boxing was big to them. It was something they did to stay off the streets.

"I had to find a way to relate to the kids, so I decided to try it. Once they learned I was becoming a boxer, it was, like, instant respect."

When Berner returned to Pennsylvania, she didn't want to give up the sport.

"Since I tried it, I loved it," she said. "I loved the training and competitiveness. And the perseverance and discipline. ... I can use those traits while I teach kids."

Berner has been a substitute teacher in Butler County during the past year, teaching anywhere from fourth to 12th grade.

She hurt her wrist and couldn't do any boxing for a few months," Spinetti said. "But she's very serious about this and she's pretty good."

Berner was a powerlifter as a teenager and once held the national teenage record for women in the bench press (160 pounds) and squat (235 pounds) for her age and weight division. She boxes in the flyweight division.

Meridian resident Jimmy Cress (11-4) will resume his amateur career in a middleweight bout against Jeff Kollar (8-2). Kollar is trained by Tommy Yankello, who also is Minto's trainer.

"Jimmy did a lot of Cadet boxing when he was 13 and 14 years old and won a title in Pittsburgh," Spinetti said. "I'm going to turn him pro after another fight or two."

Cress, 22, fought in the Golden Gloves tournament in Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Other amateur highlights on the card include:

n Three-time Pittsburgh Golden Gloves champion SirJohn Withrow (20-6) facing Mike Wilt (72-13), who defeated current Ring Magazine middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik twice as an amateur.

Adam Littlejohn, a Gateway High graduate and 2008 Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion, will be in action.

Light heavyweight Morgan Fitch (16-8) of Charleroi, also trained by Yankello, is on the card.

For tickets, call the Butler Days Inn at 724-287-6761. General admission seats are $35, ringside tables $750. Call 724-321-3688 for VIP ringside seats.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight beginning at 7:30.

<B>7:30 p.m., Friday Butler Days InnPro BoutsHeavyweight: </B>Brian Minto (32-2, 21 KOs), Butler, vs. Matt Greer (12-4, 11 KOs), St. Louis, eight rounds<B>Heavyweight: </B>Paul Zalus (0-0), Kittanning, vs. Damien Clement (0-1), Dayton, Ohio, four rounds<B>Middleweight: </B>Sam Suska (0-0), Pittsburgh, vs. Russ Niggemyer (0-0), Columbus, Ohio, four rounds<B>Amateur Bouts(all bouts 3 rounds)Welterweight: </B>Mike Wilt (72-13), Pittsburgh, vs. SirJohn Withrow (20-6), Pittsburgh<B>Middleweight: </B>Jimmy Cress (11-4), Butler, vs. Jeff Kollar (8-2), Cranberry Township<B>Female flyweight: </B>Candice Berner (3-3), Grove City, vs. Lauren Fisher (4-2), Indiana<B>Junior middleweight: </B>Jack Main, Jr. (15-15), Ellwood City, vs. Adam Littlejohn (17-9), Monroeville<B>Welterweight: </B>Travis Dougherty (3-1), Pittsburgh, vs. Drew Klontz (2-3), Indiana<B>Lightweight: </B>Franchesko Wilkerson (10-4), Pittsburgh, vs. Lucian Klingscale (8-7), Youngstown, Ohio<B>Junior middleweight: </B>Mike Kamouyerou (2-1) vs. Julius Thomas (2-0), Youngstown<B>Light heavyweight: </B>Morgan Fitch (16-8), Charleroi, vs. Aaron DeFoor (6-4), Youngstown, Ohio