Team USA Down to One Man

The USA Boxing team has one remaining participant in the World Cup of Petroleum Countries in Russia.

Louie Byrd, a flyweight from Denver, defeated Alexander Ryshkin of Moldova by a score of 8-2 to advance to the finals against Jeremy Veccu of France.

Seven of the other eight American fighters were eliminated in the first two rounds, including light heavyweight Robert Brant of White Bear Lake boxing club, who lost in the first round to Latvian Nikolaj Grishunun (6-1).

Learn more about this tournament as it happens at the USA Boxing news site.

Boxing Results: December 18 at Grand Casino Hinckley

Fernando Guerrero (now 17-0 with 14 kayos) defeats Jessie Nicklow (now 19-2-2 with 7 kayos) by TKO in round 4 of 10 scheduled.

Shawn Porter (now 12-0 with 10 kayos) defeats Jamar Patterson (now 8-1 with 4 kayos) by TKO in round 4 of 8 scheduled.

Lanard Lane (now 10-0 with 7 kayos) defeats Said El Harrak (now 8-1 with 3 kayos) by TKO in round 2 of 8 scheduled.

Cerresso Fort (now 9-0 with 8 kayos) defeats Mike Davis (now 4-7 with 4 kayos) by KO in round 2 of 6 scheduled

Javontae Starks (now 2-0 with 2 kayos) defeats Andrew Kato (now 0-1) by TKO in round 1 of 4 scheduled

Jeremy McLaurin (now 6-0 with 4 kayos) defeats Johnny Hayes (now 3-1 with 1 kayo) by decisin after 4 rounds

Derek Winston (now 2-0 with no kayos) defeats Taide Torres (now 0-2) by decision after 4 rounds

Gary Russell Jr (now 5-0 with 2 kayos) defeats Rodrigo Romero (now 1-2) by TKO in round 3 of 4 scheduled

Kelvin Price (now 5-0 with 4 kayos) defeats Julius Long (now 15-12 with 13 kayos) by TKO in round 2 of 6 scheduled

Robert Brant in Russia with USA Boxing Team

Robert Brant

The USA Boxing national team posted a 1-2 record on the first day of competition in the World Cup of Petroleum Countries tournament in Khanty-Mansisysk, Russia.

Middleweight Terrell Gausha took a 10-8 win from Murat Karalbayevon of Kazakhstan, while welterweight Errol Spence and heavyweight Jordan Shimmell both lost.

Robert Brant of Oakdale, filling the light heavyweight slot for Team USA, will make his debut against Nikolaj Grishunin of Latvia on Friday December 18th, the second day of competition.

Visit the USA Boxing website’s news page for daily updates from Russia.

Upcoming Boxing Event: December 18th at Grand Casino Hinckley

What to watch for:  Jessie Nicklow tries to get his groove back after tallying a loss and a draw in his last two fights – to do it he’s got to beat hot prospect Fernando Guerrero.  For Guerrero’s part, a win against Nicklow would be the biggest of his career so far.  Philadelphia fighter Lanard Lane meets up with soft-tossing Morroccan Said El Harrak.  Jamar Patterson, who bailed on a match with Mohammed Kayongo back in July, gets another Minnesota chance against slugging Ohioan Shawn Porter.  Cerresso Fort has a date with another tough brawler – this time it’s Mike Davis of Minot, North Dakota.  Davis, a former welterweight, hasn’t been seen in the ring since his brutal KO of Jesse Barbot at Shooting Star Casino in October.  Javontae Starks, the next big thing in Minnesota boxing, looks to build himself up some more against tough Mike Culbert of Wisconsin.  Derek Winston gets a second chance to make a good first impression against winless Taide Torres of Milwaukee.  Winston’s pro debut was much anticipated, but he was unable to put away David Laque in his pro debut, thanks in part to an injured right hand.  Jeremy McLaurin faces undefeated Texan Darryl Hayes in his first match since signing a promotional deal with Midwest Sports Council.

• Fernando Guerrero (16-0 with 13 kayos) -vs- Jessie Nicklow (19-1-2 with 7 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for 10 rounds
• Said El Harrak (8-0 with 3 kayos) -vs- Lanard Lane (9-0 with 6 kayos), welterweights, scheduled for 8 rounds
• Shawn Porter (11-0 with 9 kayos) -vs- Jamar Patterson (8-0 with 4 kayos), light middleweights, scheduled for 8 rounds
• Cerresso Fort (8-0 with 7 kayos) -vs- Michael Davis (4-6 with 4 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Javontae Starks (1-0 with 1 kayo) -vs- Mike Culbert (1-0 with 1 kayo), light middleweights, scheduled for 4 rounds
• Derek Winston (1-0 with no kayos) -vs- Taide Torres (0-1), featherweights, scheduled for 4 rounds
• Jeremy McLaurin (5-0 with 4 kayos) -vs- Darryl Hayes (3-0 with 1 kayo), lightweights, scheduled for 4 rounds
• Brad Patraw (6-1 with 4 kayos) -vs- TBA, bantamweights, scheduled for 4 rounds

Boxing Dreams: Minnesota’s Fantasy Matchups (Part 2)

It’s a known fact: bloggers are empty-headed know-it-alls.  It’s the empty-headedness that gives us such liberty to say anything.

Now consider these possibilities:

Jason Litzau -vs- Tyrone Harris – Litzau’s prospects are actually a little tough to sort out.  Harris is a nice match on paper, though – he has a good record and his worldwide standing is pretty close to Litzau’s.  But Harris is a couple inches shorter than Litzau and has less power, he’s been kayoed twice in his five losses, and he’s almost local (Michigan).  Litzau needs a good step-up fight, and this could be it.  Fly in the ointment: Harris is already penciled in against South Korea’s Ji Hoon Kim for February 12th.  Hopefully the promoter has Litzau’s number handy in case Kim falls out.

Andy Kolle -vs- Ronald Hearns – Two years ago I wanted Kolle to fight Gee Cullmer of Philadelphia, and that would still be a nice one to pad his record, but Cullmer hasn’t progressed as Kolle has.  Then I was agitating for a Kolle match with Harry Joe Yorgey, but Yorgey was demolished by Alfredo Angulo in early November, and there’s speculation out of Philly that the 32-year old Yorgey may choose to retire.  This leaves Hearns.  Hearns is 23-1 but doesn’t have nearly the resume that Kolle does, and didn’t look good in a loss to Yorgey earlier this year.  Bonuses #1 and #2: Hearns is an orthodox fighter and has a suspect chin.

Phil Williams -vs- Matt Vanda II – This one has already generated some talk, so why not?  Williams has told everyone who would listen that he could have gone another ten rounds in the first fight, and that if he had it to do over he would have unloaded on Vanda in the early rounds instead of waiting till late.  Vanda isn’t known for backing down from a challenge, but he may feel that there’s little reason to do it again.  Just the same, fight fans would like to see it, and that’s usually reason enough!

Willshaun Boxley -vs- Allen Litzau – Two confident fighters who must be disappointed with their recent results and who have already established the beginnings of a rivalry.  It’s ready-made!  This one seriously must be on some promoter’s to-do list, and I think  know whose!

Gary Eyer -vs- Jeremy McLaurin – Eyer (7-0-1 with 5 kayos) put himself on the statewide map by winning his thrilling battle with Levi Cortes on December 4th.  At the same time, he showed that he can get down to lightweight territory, weighing in at 133.5 for the Cortes fight.  McLaurin (5-0 with 4 kayos) just cut his ties with Seconds Out Promotions and seems to be looking for challenging fights to move him up the ladder.  This fight has the potential to be a real crowd-pleaser, and the two fighters’ undefeated records would look nice on a fight card.  Alternate plan: McLaurin -vs- Levi Cortes.

Javontae Starks -vs- Patrick Cape – The conventional wisdom says that this isn’t as much a matchup as it is a measuring stick.  Starks was understudy to Demetrius Andrade on the USA Boxing team.  Andrade made his professional debut against Cape a little over a year ago, winning by TKO in round 2.  It would be interesting to see how Starks performs against Cape, wouldn’t it?

The Fistic Mystic says: Before we ride off into the sunset, let’s review my proposals from last time (March 31, 2008) and see what actually transpired:

Anthony Bonsante -vs- John Duddy II - didn’t happen, and never will, because Bonsante is retired, and hopefully that’s a permanent state of affairs.  Duddy is less of a prize than he was back then anyway, since Billy Lyell deflowered him.  (Billy Lyell!)

Boxley -vs- Wilton Hilario – boy, this one is a long way off now.  Boxley is still a tough and talented fighter, but he’s lost three in a row.  Hilario is back on track and riding high, following his UD win against then 18-3 Leon Bobo in November.

Raphael Butler -vs- Eddie Chambers - this one happened, and frankly it wasn’t pretty.   Chambers, not a heavy-handed slugger by any stretch, TKO’d Butler in the sixth.  Chambers has gone on to win four subsequent bouts and is scheduled to face the younger Klitschko (Wlad) on my birthday (March 20th) in Germany.  Butler, by contrast, has gone 3-3 with a no-decision since, though he is on the record saying that two of the losses (a split decision and a majority decision to Homero Fonseca of Houston, in Houston) were gamey.

Jason Litzau -vs- Cristobal Cruz - this one hasn’t happen, and likely never will.  Cruz is the IBF world champ at 126#, and Litzau appears to have found a home at 130#.

Matt Vanda -vs- Sebastian Demers - This is another one that happened, and went poorly for the Minnesota guy.  Few Minnesotans saw it, but it was reported to have been an entertaining battle.  Vanda lost a landslide decision (shut out on all three cards) and has gone 5-3 since, but has continued to spring surprises on boxing fans (a close loss to Julio Cesar Chavez in 2008, a close win against Tocker Pudwill in 2009, the surprising win against Phil Williams at 165# in 2009) while Demers has gone 6-1 since.

Zach Walters -vs- Hugo Pineda II - Here’s another that will never happen.  This looked like a good revenge fight a year and a half ago, but that was before Walters lost three out of four starting with Shawn Hammack in August 2008.  Walters retired following his latest loss, and it’s for the better.  It’s good for a Minnesota kid to get out while the getting is good.

Want to talk it over?  Go to the Minnesota Boxing Forum for for discussion!

Jeremy McLaurin Signs with Studer, MSC

Well-regarded lightweight prospect Jeremy McLaurin will announce today that he’s parting ways with Seconds Out Promotions and going forward will be managed by Andrew Studer and promoted by Midwest Sports Council (MSC).

A source tipped off the Fistic Mystic last night, and two more sources with ties to McLaurin confirmed the signing today.

McLaurin wasn’t immediately available to comment.

Seconds Out founder Tony Grygelko had this to say: “We wish him nothing but the best with his future and would love to be able to have him on our next event January 23rd at the Armory against Ismail Muwendo or Willshaun Boxley.”

McLaurin, 5-0 with 4 kayos, is expected to face 3-0 Darryl Hayes of Houston at Grand Casino Hinckley on December 18th.

UPDATE:  McLaurin released his announcement only moments ago.  See it published in full at mnboxingleague.com.

Raphael Butler’s View, and a Latin Euphemism for ‘Oops’

After talking to Joey Abell a couple of days ago and publishing a short article based on his comments, it seemed appropriate for me to give some virtual ink to Raphael Butler, as well

I spoke with The Silencer tonight about his feelings about the publicity that his December 4th fight with Joey Abell has brought, what he remembers (and doesn’t remember) about that night, and the possibility of a rematch.

Given a free rein to talk about whatever he wanted, Butler chose to lead with his feelings about his friend, Joey Abell.  “Well, reading some of the articles on the internet, it just doesn’t seem like Joey’s being honest about his side of the story.  And it’s also kind annoying me that he doesn’t seem to show any remorse for what happened.  I do feel like Joey heard the bell. I don’t think that Bobby Brunette heard the bell.  But Joey was trying to touch gloves when Bobby told us to fight, and I turned back to go to my corner – that’s when he hit me.”

“I do remember hearing the bell.  I do remember thinking that I was going to get a minute to clear my head.  The first knockdown was a good knockdown and I even remember thinking that maybe this was a good thing because now Joey would stand and fight instead of running.”

“The first knockdown was a legal knockdown,” Butler reinterated.  “He did knock me down fairly that time.  Then the bell rang, and there was a flash and I woke up in the locker room.  I don’t remember that I got up and walked around and that we hugged and I talked to the crowd.  The only thing I remember is waking up in the locker room and the doctor asking me a lot of questions.  Anything that happened after that bell I don’t remember.”

I asked Butler whether he was concerned about long-term damage from the trauma of the punch or the fall, and whether he had gone in for an examination after the fight.  “I don’t have any ill effects from the fight, I don’t have any headaches or anything.  I have some loss of memory, just that ten minute period. But other than that I feel perfectly fine.”

Despite his impression that Abell hasn’t shown adequate public contrition, Butler asked me to mention that Abell had sent him a text message “to tell me that he was sorry and trying to reassure me that he didn’t hear the bell.  He also promised me that he would take a rematch to settle the score.”  I asked Butler whether he would take that fight.  “I’m definitely interested in a rematch.  Minnesota wanted us to be rivals, now they’ve got it.”

Mea Culpa

Some local boxing fans have objected to my use of the expression “meal ticket” in a conversation with Star Tribune writer Abby Simons, a conversation that ended up serving as the basis for an article that she wrote.  The objectionable term came up when I tried to explain why Dan O’Connor was irate at the ending of the Butler-Abell fight – Simons quoted me thusly: “He had just watched his friend and meal ticket get knocked out cold, and that can only happen so many times in a career.” [italics added]  Some people feel that there’s something sinister or dishonorable about the idea of a manager profiting from the work of his fighter.  It’s also been explained to me at length by several people that neither O’Connor nor Butler’s other manager, Steve Munisteri, have ever taken any money from any of Butler’s purses.  As Butler himself explained, “Neither Dan nor Steve have taken any money from my purses, and Steve is paying my way through school now.  They would actually save money if they didn’t help me out.”

While not conceding that the phrase itself should be offensive, or that there would be anything inappropriate about a conventional relationship between fighter and manager(s), I do apologize to those who are offended and I would retract that word if it were possible.  I would hate for my choice of words to call into question the honor of Dan O’Connor.  Unfortunately don’t have the power to retract that word, nor did I realize when I spoke it that it would be published.

Joey Abell Has Answers, plus A Correction from the Fistic Mystic

This article began with a simple purpose: several people pointed out to me that it was Dan O’Connor who Joey Abell was protecting during the group tussle in the ring on Friday night, and not Ron Lyke.  It seemed proper to get a clarification, so I called Abell to see what he had to say.  Abell was as gracious and friendly as usual, and answered a few more questions at the same time.

Fistic Mystic:  Some people have told me that my initial report was wrong, and one of them in particular thought it was very important for me to clear this up!  Who was it that was underneath you, who you were protecting?

Joey Abell:  Yeah, that was  Dan O’Connor.  I was just trying to keep people off of him, so he wouldn’t get hurt.

FM:  Keep him from getting squished?

JA:  Yeah, that’s right.

FM:  Okay.  Now having fought Raphael once, for a round anyway, would you fight him again?

JA:  I would fight him again, any time.  Especially after that, that one round.

FM:  He did hit you with at least one good shot.  Did it bother you?  It looked like you shrugged it off…

JA:  I didn’t really even  notice it or acknowledge it.  Some people did tell me afterwards that I’d been hit pretty hard, but I don’t know.

FM:  The fight was originally called a disqualification before it was changed to a no-contest.  How did you feel about…

JA:  I felt the same way – it happened to me once before, in South Dakota, when I hit a guy who had one knee down…

FM:  I was at that fight

JA:  Yeah, and this was kind of the same thing.  It probably looked bad to half of the people who saw it.  But to the people who had my view it was legitimate.  This was the same.  Half of the people didn’t hear the bell.

FM:  Did you get paid?  Was there any talk of withholding any of your purse money?

JA:  I don’t know, I left early and I don’t exactly know.  But I know that there was some kind of issue going on there.  There was talk, but I’m not sure whether it had anything to do with the result of the fight.

FM:  I’ve heard that some people are saying you weren’t fully in the neutral corner following the knockdown.  Were you?

JA:  You know, when you knock someone down you’re pretty eager to go again.  I didn’t want to lose that advantage or that opportunity…but I got yelled at, so I took a step backwards, farther back than I would have been.  Yeah, I was in the neutral corner.

FM:  How soon would you fight again?

JA:  Today!

FM:  Do you have any plans?

JA:  Ah, no, I haven’t had my meeting yet.  We usually have a meeting after each fight to see what’s on the agenda.

The Fistic Mystic says:  I was wrong!  When Joey Abell arched his body over a gray-haired man in a satin jacket, that was Dan O’Connor, not the similarly attired Ron Lyke.

Fistic Mystic NOT Associated with Caste Football

I’ve just learned that posters at the castefootball.us forum have linked to one of  my articles.

I want it known that despite my status as a white, conservative, born-again Republican, I am not associated in any way with this race-obsessed website or any of its supporters.  I don’t want the Fistic Mystic Blog to be used by these white racist clowns to further their homoerotic fascination with pale skinned athletes; I’m a supporter of all Minnesota fighters, regardless of race or color.

S.N.A.F.U.

Here’s how the end of tonight’s state heavyweight title went down, as I saw it:

As the first round drew to a close, Joey Abell had Raphael Butler in trouble.  He knocked Butler down, and the referee, Bobby Brunette, didn’t hear the bell ring as he was busy counting and evaluating Butler’s condition.  Abell obviously didn’t hear the bell, and (this is my opinion, based on what I saw) Butler didn’t know the bell had been rung, either.

Brunette waved the two fighters back together and Abell moved in and finished Butler off with a tremendous punch that knocked him stiff.  While this was happening, Dan O’Connor and the rest of Butler’s Brigate were pounding on the mat with their hands and their stool, and the crowd in the Target Center was screaming that the bell had sounded.

After that it was mayhem.  O’connor did his best Rock Newman impression, Ron Lyke and Jim Maurine entered the ring in Abell’s defense, and the crowd moved toward Lyke, knocking him down and threatening to trample him.  Abell arched his body over Lyke until the referee and comission personnel regained control of the situation.

Ring announcer Dan Cole announced that the outcome of the fight was a disqualification win for Butler, and further announced that Butler had won the state heavyweight title.  Afterwards Cole interviewed Butler on the PA system, and asked Butler whether he had heard the bell ring.  Butler said he had heard it ring and wasn’t expecting Abell to throw any more punches, and that’s why he let his guard down.

We need some questions answered.  The most pressing are these:

1. Should the fight be a DQ or a No-Decision?
2. If the ruling is that it’s a DQ, can the title be awarded to either fighter, since neither earned it?