Is Williams Ruined? Is Hilario Ready for Litzau? What Next for Fort? All This and More!

• More than one person remarked to me tonight that Phil Williams’ career is irredeemably stained by his loss to Matt Vanda.  It’s true that it doesn’t look great on paper, but it was a split decision, Williams was never in danger of being stopped, and Vanda has a very impressive record.  Williams looked good but not great against an opponent who some very definite advantages over him.  No, Williams isn’t ruined, but he needs to get back on track with some wins.  One possibility is a rematch with  Vanda, though I wouldn’t advise it.  Another possibility is a match with an opponent the caliber of Lamar Harris, who also appeared on this card.  Just something to chew on.
• Is Wilton Hilario ready for Jason Litzau?  Despite his dominating performance against 18-3-2 Leon Bobo, Hilario confidant Luis Reyes doesn’t want that fight for his good friend.  “What’s in it for Wilton?  He needs to get up to eighteen or nineteen wins before he thinks about someone like Litzau again.”  Apparently Reyes’ reasoning is that Hilario needs to get more experience and build up his resume before taking the kind of step up that a win against Jason Litzau would force him into.
• Ceresso Fort’s bout with Lamar Harris seems to be the consensus pick for fight of the night, but it revealed some serious flaws in Fort’s game.  His punches were loose, loopy, and sometimes wild.  His footwork was unpolished and that nearly got him in serious trouble once or twice.  And Fort blew off his head of steam in the first round when he seemed to have Harris in trouble, only to get in deep later on when Harris recovered and threw hundreds of power shots at him in the late rounds.  Fort is a promising young guy with a head like an anvil and fists like bricks.  Minnesota boxing fans, we have a diamond in the rough here.  Let’s not demand too much of him just yet – he needs to take some advice from legendary Twins manager Tom Kelly: “You’re never too good to work on your fundamentals.”
• Javontae Starks – as if we didn’t already know – is the real deal.  Starks took a round to get used to the pro game, then went to town on game but overmatched opponent Dan Copp.  Starks’ body-shot knockout of Copp was a thing of beauty, and after the way it was set up, it came with a sense of inevitability.  Starks is fast, strong, and well-coordinated.  He isn’t ready for the big time yet, but his win tonight gave me some serious warm fuzzies.  Too bad for Dan Copp he can’t say the same!
• Congratulations to Zach Schumach on his first career win.  I won’t say “the first of many,” but it was well deserved.  He showed better speed and more aggression than opponent Don Tierney.
• I thought that Sam Morales had a win sewn up tonight, but the judges didn’t agree with me.  Okay, they’re judges and I’m not.  But I don’t understand how Morales’ effective aggression and crisp punching goes unrewarded.  I also thought it was pretty obvious that Morales had Taggart hurt twice, and Taggart was unable to return the favor until the last ten seconds of the fight.
• Let’s all give some credit to Grand Casino Hinckley and Midwest Sports Council for an entertaining and commercially successful show.  I’d also like to show some love to Fox Sports Net for televising this event.  Now I’m going to go home and watch it.  Hopefully it looks as good on the small screen as it did from ringside.

November 13 Round-by-Round – Vanda-Williams, Hilario-Bobo, etc.

7pm – the buzz here is incredible, and the crowd is going to be huge.  At least, it’s going to be as big as Grand Casino can accommodate!

Tim Taggart (now 3-2-1 with 2 kayos) and Sam Morales (now 3-3-1 with 1 kayo) fight to a majority draw (38-38, 38-38, and 39-37 Taggart) after four rounds

Round 1

Both men are throwing in the early going, but Morales’ punches are more crisp and accurate.  Morales is also moving more quickly and showing more elusiveness.  Taggart, though slower, is throwing heavier shots.  About midway through the round Morales lands a left to the temple that momentarily freezes Taggart.  Morales follows up well.  There’s a close-quarters clash and Morales comes out of it bleeding from his  left nostril.  The blood is smeared, but is not bleeding freely.  Good trading as the round closes, and Morales takes a shot to the back of the head that makes him grimace.  Round over.

Round 2

The two come out trading again,  Taggart backs Morales up to the ropes and dives in, Morales counters effectively with a left-right to the body.  This is a busy round, lots of throwing and lots of landing.  Taggart lands a slow three-punch combination that impresses the crowd but doesn’t do any obvious damage.  Morales steps in to throw the right and comes in too far, landing with his forearm to Taggart’s ear.  Straight right lands for Morales and though Taggart shakes his head and smiles, it slows him down enough that Morales is able to follow with a damaging combination.  If you thought that Morales would struggle as the smaller man moving up, it doesn’t seem that way – he is landing crisp, hard shots that hurt Taggart.

Round 3

Morales comes out jabbing, but quickly reverts to bombing.  The two are trading, with Morales landing punches from all angles and Taggart hoping to hurt him with counters.  The two clinch and Taggart reaches around to land a couple of body shots.  Morales, coming forward, hurts Taggart.  Taggart is alert, but he’s turing into a rag doll, getting hit and blasted around the ring.  Morales punches himself out without ending matters, and Taggart has time to collect himself.  Now Taggart lands a looping right hook that impresses.  Morales dives in, landing a right hook to the body and the top of his head to Taggart’s face simultaneously.  Referee Genaro Hernandez pauses the action for an equipment fix, and when the two return to combat there’s only fifteen seconds left – that’s a fifteen second break for both tired men.

Round 4

Taggart has to know that he’s behind on the cards, and he comes out throwing to the body with bad intentions.  In a furious exchange Taggart loses his mouthpiece.  After  getting it back he charges back into Morales, landing a stomping right that lands flush.  Morales is showing some wear and tear, with a mark at the corner of his left eye, but neither man has the advantage so far in the fourth.  Sloppy, wide punches result in another clinch.  Taggart is walking Morales down now – suddenly Morales plants, pivots, and lands a right-left.  More slow action, which devolves into a clinch, and then Taggart in a headlock.  With ten seconds left in the round both men go on the attack, and Taggart lands a right that staggers Morales!  Morales is hurt, but he’s throwing back at Taggart, and though Taggart has the will to attack, he has not the time nor the energy to take advantage.  Round over.

 

Don Tierney (now 1-1 with no kayos) is defeated by Zach Schumach (now 1-2 with no kayos) by majority decision (38-38, 39-38, and 39-37) after four rounds.

After both men are in the ring but before the introductions Schumach shouts to the crowd, “Second round KO!”

Round 1

Schumach comes out with his feet spread wide in a jumping crouch, shooting out double and triple jabs.  Plenty of time passes before the first connect, and it belongs to Schumach – a left hook that clips Tierney’s chin.  Tierney is jabbing back, and Schumach ducks under a left and lands a right to the body.  This is not an action fight like the last one.  Tierney misses with an uppercut on the charging Schumach, but no harm – Schumach misses too.  Schumach lands a left jab to the midriff of Tierney.  Now Schumach throws a triple jab, then charges in to land a right hand.  First trade of the bout, and though both men land, nobody comes up roses.  Just before the bell Tierney lands a single shot, Schumach responds in kind, and round.

Round 2

The two comes out and circle to their left.  Now both are reaching out with the jab, and both men land.  Schumach may be thinking about his prefight prediction.  The two trade in Tierney’s corner, and Schumach ducks his head while punching, displeasing cornerman Sean Hickman.  The two trade again, neither man getting the upper hand.  Tierney misses with a right, Schumach feints…Tierney misses with a double right jab, Schumach with a left hook.  Schumach jumps in and lands a right hook to the body.  Schumach pursues Tierney into a neutral corner and lands a left-left-right, then misses with wild shots.  Schumach is the attacker, Tierney looking to counter.  Schumach lands another double lefft jab followed by a right hook.  There’s a clash, and possibly a mutual head butt, and the round ends with an admonishment from referee Mark Nelson.

Round 3

Tierney opens with a left jab that lands, Schumach responds by mashing the body. Schumach now lands a resounding right to the body.  Schumach attacks again, and Tierney jumps back, almost bumping into referee Nelson, who is coming around.  Schumach goes back to the jab.  Now Schumach ducks ddown and lands a right hook to the body.  Johnny Johnson, in tierney’s corner, is yelling for more offense, and Tierney responds with a couple of scoring blows.  Now an uppercut grazes schumach’s left cdheek, and Tierney scoots away.  Schumach lands two wide lefts and a right – they may have traveled too far to do much damage, but they count anyway. Tierney tries to stick and move, and Schumach catches him, driving him backwards into the ropes but Tierney escapes.  Schumach finally lands the big one-two he’s been looking for, and the two paw at each other until the bell.

Round 4

Tierney lands a jab to open the scoring, but a sloppily aggressive Schumach fires back and scores bigger.  Tierney catches Schumach charging in with a strong right hook.  Now the two circle clockwise and jab.  Schumach plays ‘watch the birdy,’ waving his right hand, then jumps in to score to the body.  Tierney looks like the more polished boxer, but it’s Schumach’s aggression that is telling the story.  Tierney, rangy but slow, is just not scoring with most of his activity.  Schumach is crouching, looking up at Tierney, measuring.  Schumach lands a soft left jab to the body, misses witha right, then lands a big left hook flush to the side of Tierney’s face.  The round ends with ineffective jabbing, and the two smile and embrace.

Matt Vanda (now 42-9 with 22 kayos) defeats Phil Williams (now 11-2 with 10 kayos) by split decision after ten rounds

Round 1

One could call this a feeling out round, but that might give the fighters too much credit – Williams flicked a crisp jab but did little else.  Vanda scored with two body shots – a hard left jab and about a minute later, a right hook that reached too far and curled around Williams’ ribs.  Let’s hope for more in round 2.

Round 2

Perhaps emboldened by the events of round 1, Vanda comes out shooting.  Williams had the first score of the round, but Vanda is far more aggressive now, and the smaller an is pressing the action.  Vanda is having some success stooping down and stepping in with single jabs.  Williams lands a left hookercut that scores, and follows it up with some jabs upstairs, but Vanda is unfazed, and contines to stand in front of Williams.  Now Vanda scores with three powerr shots, and perhaps feeling even bolder, attacks again, driving Williams backwards.  Williams lands ahard left jab to the head, but Vandaa responds with two scoring shots.  Now Vanda attacks viciously, landing hard power shots that Williams obviously feels.  Success invigorates, and Vanda drops his hands, daring Williams to attack.  Williams cannot muster any offense as the round ends.

Round 3

Williams stares intently, unflinching, as Vanda comes forward.  The two land simultaneous jabs.  Now Williams scores with a left hook to the body, and though Vanda responds, Williams is beginning to look stronger.  Williams lands two rights and two lefts, and Vanda gets off balance.  Williams does not capitalize, and now Vanda is coming forward again.  Williams is back to the jab, and that may favor Vanda, as his jab may be his most outstanding punch.  Vanda snaps a good jab into Williams’ face, and williams is backing up and looking to counter.  Vanda claps a hard right to the body of Williams.  Williams lands three successive left jabs before Vanda responds with a power shots.  Now a right hook lands to Williams’ midsection, a left misses, and a right hook lands to his abdomen.  For the first time Williams looks uncomfortgable.  Vanda chases Williams into his own corner and attacks viciously, Williams countering with a good right just before the bell.

Round 4

Vanda can’t wait to begin the fourth, getting into Williams’ face immediately with a jab.  Williams lands and then switches to southpaw.  Vanda is still aggressive, but now tentatively aggresive, if such an attitude exists.  Williams lands a left hook to the body followed by a right.  Two left jabs land for Williams.  Vanda is still coming forward but having a hard time figuring out this new wrinkle.  Williams stays a lefty, lands a power shot, and winks at Vanda.  Vnada fires back and scores.  Ron Lyke, in Vanda’s corner, demands head movement and gets it immmediately.  Vanda lands a straight left.  Williams pops a right jab that looks better than it is.  Vanda responds with a left jab.  Now Vanda avoids a clinch by landing a hard right that inspires the crowd.  Round.

Round 5

Williams remains on his stoolk, chest heaving, while Vanda paces.  Williams, still in southpaw stance, lands a jab.  Vanda is coming forward but not throwing.  More jabs from Williams.  Vanda comes inside but ducks instead of throwing.  Williams continues to score.  Now a left hook lands for Williams and he scoots away to his right.  Williams scores again, but Williams counters effectively.  Vanda’s face is the picture of concentration.  Vanda connects a hard left jab.  Now Vanda is taunting, stepping left and right, left and right, he drops his hands and wags his face in front of Williams.  Now Vanda waves his left hand in a circle before throwing the left jab before throwing it and connecting.  All the while his corner screams at him to keep his hands up!  Vanda lands two shots and Williams, trying to move away, gets his feet tangled.  Vanda resumes his wild antics before the end of the round, then attacks hatefully, driving Williams into a neutral corner.  How long till williams goes headhunting?  Boxing  isn’t working for the tough barber from north Minneapolis.

Round 6

I count six straight right jabs from Williams to begin the round.  Vanda is relaxed.  Shouted instructions for Vanda are now coming from Johnny Johson, sitting back behind Vanda’s cornermen.  Williams hits Vanda with a volley of rights, then lefts.  Vanda is hurt and off-balance, but that never lasts long, and Vanda quickly regains his composure.  Vanda jumps in to land a glancing left to the body of Williams.  Williams shoots out a right jab but gets hit by a left from Vanda.  Vanda scores again, and the crowd is enthralled.  Williams, trapped in a corner, connects a left jab.  Vanda attacks ineffectively, and Williams escapes.  Williams is reaching out and h itting Vanda with single shots, but the unpredictable Vanda punctuates the round with one more big shot just before the bell.

Round 7

Williams scores first with a good right hook, and vanda pivots repeatedly on his right foot as if to show that he is unhurt and still unpredictable.  Williams is jabbing much more as the fight progresses, Vanda – unexpectedly – is the aggressor, throwing power shots and walking Williams down.  Williams, visibly taller, is trying to take advantage of his length against the short-armed Vanda.  Williams continues to score left jabs from an orthodox sance.  Vanda brings a one-two to the body and scores again.  Now a left hand from  Vanda snaps Williams’ head back.  Vanda comes forward, the two trade, and Vanda ducks under a punch and walks away nonchalantly.  Bell.

Round 8

Vanda walks right into Williams’ range and lands a left jab.  Williams fires back, but Jim Maurine shouts from Vanda’s corner “He can’t hurt you, Matt!  He can’t hurt you!”  Vanda seems to believe him.  Williams lands three straight left jabs, then a few soft hooks probe Vanda’s defense.  Vanda lands flush shots to the body and head of Williams, but Williams shrugs the attack off, comes forward, and lands a very hard jab that momentarily slows Vanda.  Vanda continues to come forward, but Williams unleashes a volley of power shots taht scores, and ignites his supporters – a minority in this crowd.  Vanda charges after Williams the corner and lands a couple of shots.  Vanda, bouncing on his toes, waits for Williams to attack but notattack is forthcoming.  Vanda’s bravado may be real or it may not, but it is undeniably impressive – he continues to attack Williams, who covers his body and smiles and nods at Vanda as the bell rings.

Round 9

Williams lands several shots as the round begins.  I may have underestimated The Drill’s ability to hang with Vanda in terms of workrate.  Vanda is biding his time, jabbing occasionally.  Ron Lyke is calling for aggression and getting nothing.  Williams is landing a lot of jabs and the cocasional shot.  Vanda lands a hard left jab, which presages some power shots of his own.  Vanda is coming forward, Williams is countering, and both are scoring.  Boy am I glad I’m not judging this fight!  Vanda’s left jab comes up short twice.  Williams lands a couple of power shots that blast Vanda backwards into the ropes and Vanda comes up looking dazed and confused, stumbling disjointedly off the ropes, then smiling at Williams as if to say “Fooled you!”  Vanda turns his back on Williams and walks away just before the bell rings.

Round 10

Vanda stands in the center of the ring, hands on hips, waiting for Williams as the round begins.  Williams attacks furiously, knocking Vanda downon his back.  Vanda completes a backward roll and jumps to his feet.  Referee Mark Nelson dispenses with the mandatory eight count, signifying that there is no official knockdown.  Williams attacks again, landing devastating shots on Vanda.  The crowd commences competing chants of Vanda-Vanda and Phil the Drill!  Williams lands a good left jab twice, but Vanda comes back with more shots that show isn’t out of it yet.  Vanda coninues to pressure Williams, but Williams counters and then jumps into Vanda, pummeling him with power shots.  The bell rings and Vanda leaps joyfully in the air, hands raised.  Everyone in this ballroom, all 2200+, knows that they have just witnessed a tremendous boxing match between two combatants who just love to fight!

Wilton Hilario ( now 12-0 with 9 kayos) defeats Leon Bobo (now 18-4-1 with 2 kayos) by unanimous decision after eight rounds

Round 1

[Connectivity problems - the Grand Casino wireless system may be overwhelmed by all the electronics in the building right now.]  First round is tough to score, because the feather-fisted Bobo is fast and elusive, while the hard-punching Hilario can do little more than grab bobo and pound him in clinches.

Round 2

Hilaraio is doing his best to grab bobo and hold him still so as to hit him, but it’s Bobo who’s taking advanatage, punching out fof clinches with furious, extended flurries.  Hilario finally catches Bobo clean and propels him into the ropes with a tremendous hook.  Bobo survives and escapes, but is more intent on running now.  Hilario chases Bobo down witha  shuffling run but is unable to make hay.  Another clinch ensues, and the round ends without any further scoring.

Round 3

The round bdegins with determined aggression from Hilario, which is ineffective at first – but Hilario finally catches Bobo with another shot that momentarioly freezes him.  Hilario lands two lefts and a right before Bobo turtles up, and all Hilario’s shots thereafter failto score.  Hilario is havingbetter success getting inside now, and occaionally clips Bobo with a hurtful shot.  If Hilario can keep it up this should wear his opponent down.  Hilario throws inside shots in a clinch, which causes Bobo to grimace at the ref, pleading silently for an intervention.  Bobo is determined to throw a hundred soft punches per round and run from Hilario’s aggression, so this fight is probably bound to get ugly.  A clash of bodies near the end of the round results in a Bobo fall, but it’s clearly no knockdown.

Round 4

Hilario is having more success jabbing to the center of Bobo’s body.  Bobo tries to negate Hilario’s powerr by grbbing and clinching, but Hilario is equally determined to keep Bobo off him with a high volume of hooks and uppercuts.  Hilario traps Bobo oagainst the ropes and stands on the toes of his right foot – Hilario scores, but not like he could have.  Hilario continues to pursue, bobo is wild-eyed.  bobo tries to shoot the jab and get away, but Hilario is wising up and grabs him.  The round ends with wrestling.

Round 5

[More connection problems...]  Hilario is determined to wear his opponent down, and it appears to be working.  Bobo is slowing down and resorting to trading shots with Hilario.  Hilario traps Bobo in a corner, and when Bobo successfully ducks a couple of hooks, Hilario hurts him with an uppercut.  bobo escapes, but Hilario is working hard to land the home run shot.  This round ends with Hilario looking in charge.

Round 6

Bobo’s lateral movement is much reduced – he’s mostly moving backwards when he moves.  Hilario cracks him on the ear with a left hook, and though Bobo gets away, Hilario chases him down and lands the same punch again, followed by a right.  bobo’s hands are moving like he’s punching, but he’s really just pedaling an invisible bicycle with his hands.  Hilario continues to pursue, and finally catch es Bobo in a corner.  After landing one or two shots Hilario relents, then walks away pawing at his own face.  Did he get butted?  bobo grabs Hilario and lays on him, pushing him backwards into a corner, but generating no offense.  Hilario grinds away with inside shots for a time, then finally and thankfully, the round ends.

Round 7

Bobo’s offense has been negligible the last couple of rounds, but here he lands a left, then throws a flurry that momentarily gets Hilario off of him.  Hilario is still trying to knock his opponent out though, and touches him with a one-two, then a right hook that hurts him.  Hilario is moving his head and bobbing to avoid Bobo’s slow and soft punches.  Hilario corners bobo and lands a cracking right to the head, drawing an “Ooh” from the crowd.  Bobo leans hard on Hilario, and the two fall into a clinch.  After the break Hilario chases gamely, but no further action results.

Round 8

Hilario is taking some risks to land his shots this round, and it results in Bobo landing a clean left-right.  Hilario quickly regains the intitiative, however, and Bobo returns to his pattern of bouncing backwards and throwing only occasional punches, mostly ineffective hooks.  Hilario could protest his opponent’s negative tactics but doesn’t, continuing to chase Bobo around the ring to little avail.  At the sound of the ten-second warning Hilario goes on offense, but Bobo grabs Hilario’s upper body and holds on.  This round and this fight finally end, and that’s a good thing.

Ceresso Fort (now 8-0 with 7 kayos) defeats Lamar Harris (now 6-5-2 with 4 kayos) by unanimous decision after 6 rounds

Round 1

Two confident young men come out scowlingg and throwing bombs, and it only takes about fifteen seconds for Fort to corner Harris and hurt him.  Fort throws a good plenty of bombs at the covered-up Harris, but a hook to the body brings Harris back to life.  Harris is hurt, but he responds valorously, fighting back as best he can.  Fort is going for broke in this first round, and again corners Harris, where he again lands a couple of flush power shots.  But Harris is regaining his legs and his clarity, and seems to be back in this fight.    fort is landing hard single shots, but few of them cleanly now, the two trade on even terms, and Harris slips down.  Now knockdown, and the action resumes immediately.  Fort is scoring effectively and Harris is either an inferior fighter or a hurt fighter – time will tell.  For now, the bell brings remission.

Round 2

After an all-action first round the second begins slowly.  Fort needs to shorten up those punches – he’s throwing wild shots in hopes of scoring a knockout, and he’s leaving himself far too open.  Fort’s mouth is hangin g open and he looks a little winded, but his jabvs and memories of his power are keeping Harris at bay for now.  Harris throws a left-right-left that lands in glancing fashion.  Fort lands a lefft hook, and encouraged by his success, thorws another.  Fort thorws a slow, ponderous ljab-jab-hook.  He definitely needs to speed up and shorten up.  Harris finally lands a good shot that backs Fort up, but it’s too late for him to capitalize, so he just stares at Fort as if to intimidate him.  Fort makes a throat-slashing motion and walks back to his corner.

Round 3

These two fine young men are here to put on a great show, if nothing else.  The two land simultaneous jabs, then simultaneous hooks.    The pace has slowed, but the two are still trading serious shots.  Harris clips Fort’s chin with a hook that demonstrates Fort’s toughness.  Fort, moments later, lands two shots that do the same for Harris.  fort attacks with a looping right hook but Harris ducks down, resulting in an awkward clash of bodies.  More infighting ensues, no effect.  Fort is working Hharris’ body with infrequent but solid shots.  Harris lands a clean shot that makes Fort  stumble, but chalk that up to clumsy footwork rather than a hurt fighter.  More punches are thrown but few land before the round ends.

Round 4

Harris is walking Fort down with a neverending scowl.  Both men jump in with power shots at the same time, and a clash of heads results.  No cuts are evident.  Harris is charging after Fort and landingl by and large, the better shots this round.  Fort is flinching and closing his eyes when Harris hits him clean.  Fort is backing up, changing directions, moving laterally.  It’s easy to see fort’s punches developing – he is n ot a polished fighter, but he is tough and stsrong as an ox.  Harris ducks under a Fort hook, comes up throwing, and catches Fort with a painful powerr shot to the midsection.  Fort works through it and fires back, and this round ends.

Round 5

Harris is an unblinking attack dog, charging forward and throwing power shots at every opening.  He’s getting in on Fort and he hurts h im!  Fort is stumbling along the ropes, Harris pursuing and throwing tremendous shots.  fort gets free and Harris chases him across the ring to the opposite corner.  The Harris is landing furious volleys offf power shots and hurting Fort!  Suddenly, sensing that a clinch is imminent, Harris grabs Fort and flings im into the ropes.  fort hangs on and drags Harris down, both men tumbling to the canvas.  Referee Mark Nelson pauses the action.  Did he deduct a point from Harris?  I can’t tell, but I hope so.  the action resumes and Harris is again on offense, pursuing Fort doggedly and landing power shot after power shot.  As the round comes to a close Fort lands a single shot that freezes Harris.  Fort tries to follow up,k but only gets on shot off – a good one, but not enough.

Round 6

Both  men are exhausted and bleeding from the mouth.  Harris resumes his pursuit of his quarry, with Fort occasionally countering with solid but unspectacular shots.  harris lands several hard shots and now Fort lands a huge shot that puts  Harris badly off-balance.  The Harris tries to clinch, and both men crash to the canvas, Fort on top of the sprawling Harris!  As the action resumes fthe tide may be turning for Fort.  He lands a big shot, follows up, and then after a brief lull, lands more telling shots.  Harris’s hateful glare has morphed into a blank stare as the two duke it out in the closing seconds.

Javontae Starks (now 1-0 with 1 kayo) defeats Dan Copp (now 1-2) by TKO in round 2 of 4 scheduled

Always slim, Starks looks positively gaunt as he enters the ring.  I’m told that he weighed in at 153# last night.

Round 1

[more computer trouble] The first round is a tentative one for both fighter, with Starks following the always-moving Copp around the ring and snapping off single jabs and an occasional shot to the body.  Copp is very game, but not a snappy puncher.  Kudos to Copp for  not shrinking from contact, but seeking to battle.  Copp returns to his corner after the first red-faced from that harsh jab of Starks.

Round 2

Starks is putting his punches together this round, continuing to pursue Copp.  Starks catches Copp and hurts him - you can see the pain in the grimace on Copp’s face.  Starks hits Copop again to the body, and Copp is clearly in distress.  Starks throws all caution to the wind and jumps in on Copp, but the fight is already over – Copp is down on his knees in agony from another body shot, and the fight has been called.  Early TKO on a body shot, as predicted by the Fistic Mystic!

Upcoming Boxing Event: November 13 at Grand Casino Hinckley

What to watch for:

Phil Williams takes some steps into deeper water, taking on steel-chinned veteran Matt Vanda in the featured bout.  This fight presents a number of questions: Can Vanda handle Williams’ power?  If Williams can’t get Vanda out early, can he match Vanda’s workrate and fitness?  Does a shrinking light heavyweight get any credit for beating a swelled-up junior middleweight?

In the co-feature, Wilton Hilario takes on an opponent with a glamorous record for the first time, hoping to make a statement.  On a closer look Leon Bobo (18-3-1 with only 2 kayos) might at first seem like a patsy – he’s only won two of his last six fights and has only 2 wins by knockout – but a man doesn’t win 18 fights with only 2 knockouts unless he’s got slick moves, and Bobo has gone 2-1-1 in his last four against opponents with combined records of 53-5-2.  If Hilario wins this one, he may find himself back in the running for a fight with rival Jason Litzau, whose older brother Allen he has already TKO’d.

Undefeated prospect Ceresso Fort takes an opponent with a winning record for only the second time in his career.  In Lamar Harris Fort has a seemingly ideal match – an opponent who has won more than he’s lost, but not one with too lofty a record, one who carries a certain amount of bravado (Harris is billed as “The Prince of Pain”) but not with scary power (4 knockout wins in eleven career bouts), and one who has typically fought at or below Fort’s weight.  In sum, a build-up fight that will actually build him up.

Javontae Starks makes his long-awaited professional debut fighting under the banner of Minneapolis based  promter MSC (Midwest Sports Council).  MSC matchmaker Cory Rapacz has located a serviceable opponent for Starks in Dan Copp, who has one win but no knockouts, and whose role is to serve as a career-starter rather than a live opponent.

Supporting (untelevised) bouts are local boy Tim Taggart against St Paul’s Sam Morales – Taggart returns home to revive his career following a brief stint in Florida while Morales moves up in weight after starting his career at welterweight and fighting as low as 133#, and Zach Schumach meets Don Tierney, the two having one win between them.

In order of appearance:

• Tim Taggart (3-2 with 2 kayos) -vs- Sam Morales (3-3 with 1 kayo), super middleweights (165#), scheduled for 4 rounds
• Zach Schumach (0-2) -vs- Don Tierney (1-0 with no kayos), light middleweights, scheduled for 4 rounds
• featured bout: Matt Vanda (41-9 with 22 kayos) -vs- Phil Williams (11-1 with 10 kayos), super middleweights, scheduled for 10 rounds
• co-feature: Wilton Hilario (11-0 with 9 kayos) -vs- Leon Bobo (18-3-1 with 2 kayos), super middleweights, scheduled for 8 rounds
• Ceresso Fort (7-0 with 7 kayos) -vs- Lamar Harris (6-3 with 4 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Javontae Starks (debut) -vs- Dan Copp (1-1 with no kayos), light middleweights, scheduled for 4 rounds

Minnesota Pro Boxers Who Really Need a Fight (Part 2)

Consider this article a sequel to the article of the same name from May 2008.

The good news is that there seems to be less of a logjam on the local scene than there was back then – despite a few hiccups, 2009 has been a pretty good year for boxing in Minnesota.  But it’s also true that there are still some Minnesota boxers who are frittering their prime away, or participating in fights that don’t advance their careers in an appreciable way.  The cause may be overcaution, chronic indecision, the dread of losing a glamorous record, or the simple lack of a workable career strategy.

In alphabetical order:

• Antonio Johnson (7-1-1 with 3 kayos) Who is managing the career of the St Paul Kid?  Johnson has never been a particularly active fighter, but he did manage to fight three times in 2005 and three more times in 2006.  Since then he has only fought once each year in 2007, 2008, and 2009 – and his last two fights have been a draw to a 10-0 prospect and a loss to a 9-1 fighter in that opponent’s hometown.  As a result, the very talented and ambitious Johnson is now an inactive fighter who hasn’t won a boxing match in two and a half years.
• Andy Kolle (19-2 with 14 kayos) is on this list because his activity rate so radically departs from what he desires.  Back in December of 2007 Kolle told me that ideally he would like to fight five or six times a year.  Since that interview, 22 months ago, Kolle has fought four times.  To his credit, Kolle has won three of the four against very credible opposition.  To his detriment, there doesn’t seem to be a cogent plan to advance his career.
• Kenny Kost (14-4 with 6 kayos) Kost, who turned pro in 2003, fought six times in 2004, winning all six.  Since then, however, Kost has never fought more than three times in a year, so he has never been a particularly prolific prizefighter.  Yet eighteen months of inactivity is out of character even for him.  Kost hasn’t been seen in a professional boxing match since dropping an eight-round decision to Hector Camacho in April 2008.  Kost is one of those guys with other things to do – he makes his money in construction, so spring, summer, and fall are out for him.  So if he never appears in a prize fighting ring again, it might be more our loss than his.
• Zach Walters (24-4 with 19 kayos)  Like Andy Kolle, Zach Walters trains under and is managed by Chuck Horton of Horton’s Gym, in Duluth.  Walters’ record was 23-2 and he was just beginning to make a blip on the worldwide radar in the summer of 2008 when he lost to 18-6 Shawn Hammack in a stunner.  Walters and Horton next took a fight against former world titlist Byron Mitchell in an effort to regain credibility and rake in some cash, but that turned into a fiasco when Walters suffered a bad cut on his tongue and Horton threw in the towel on the advice of the ringside doctor.  After three fights in ‘08, Walters has had just two in ‘09, only one of them a win, and that against 11-12 journeyman James Morrow.  Horton had done a great job of building Walters up prior to the Hammack loss, but now Walters finds himself in the unenviable position of not having won a fight against an opponent with a winning record since June of 2008, and unless something happens soon, he’ll end 2009 not having fought in six months.
• Derek Winston (0-0)  Here’s a guy who keeps trying to go pro, and circumstances conspire against him.  Each time he’s been scheduled to fight in the past, either the fight or the entire event has been canceled.  The one time fight fans did get to see him in the ring (at the Myth nightclub in August, when Winston and cousin Antwan Robertson fought a four-round exhibition sans headgear) Winston looked very impressive.  Good news!  Winston is scheduled to face Tomi Archambeault at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen on Friday, October 23.

The other end of the spectrum…

• Say what you want to about Tony Grygelko of Seconds Out Promotions, but he knows who brings home his bacon, and he’s done a dandy job of keeping that man (13-0 middleweight Caleb Traux) busy.  When he steps out of the ring after his November 20th fight with Carl Daniels, Truax will have had six fights in the last twelve months.  His teammate Jeremy McLaurin, another up-and-comer, is also scheduled to box in that event and will also have had six fights in twelve months.
• Ceresso Fort (7-0 with 7 kayos), a ward of Midwest Sports Council (MSC) is scheduled to have his fifth fight in twelve months on November 13th at Grand Casino Hinckley, with more events soon to come.
• Until his current spate of activity began last April, Jason Litzau (25-2 with 21 kayos) hadn’t fought in 14 months and had a spot on this list locked up.  But Litzau made his return to the ring in April with a 5th-round TKO of Phillip Payne, demolished Verquan Kimbrough in 3 rounds in August, and now has an ESPN2-televised bout with Johnnie Edwards scheduled for the 4th of November.

The Fistic Mystic says:  I’m a realist – I know that there’s often something bubbling away below the surface; events are developing that I don’t know about…someone (maybe more than one someone) will be justifiably irritated to see their name unfairly listed in this article.  The best outcome would be for me to someday consider writing this article and then realize that there’s no one who fits the bill; that everyone is as busy as they want to be!

Live Round-by-Round: August 14 at the Myth in Maplewood, Minnesota

Matt Vanda (now 41-9 with 22 knockouts) defeats Ted Muller (now 19-16 with 9 kayos) by unanimous decision after eight rounds.

Round 1

The combatants meet in the center of the ring and Muller reaches first, missing with a couple of jabs.  Vanda returns the gesture, and a clinch ensues.  Muller lands first, with a slow three-punch combination – downstairs and then upstairs.  Muller is using his size advantage to bull Vanda backwards,Vanda for his part is working the body from very close quarters.  Vanda is keeping his head down and his hands up, emerging occasionally to throw power shots.  A one-two lands for Vanda.  Muller switches stances but Vanda tags him and he reverts.  Muller is now stepping in with the jab, then throws an overhand right that misses.  Vanda, though smaller is rocking Muller with power shots, when he throws them.  Vanda lands a left-right-left, then a punching clinch and the round is over.

Round 2

After some flurrying, Vanda throws a right that landed low, and Muller takes fifteen seconds to recuperate.  The pair touch gloves, and it’s back on.  Muller is pursuing Vanda and occasionally catching him, but Vanda is throwing punches moving backwards.  Though Muller  may be stronger, Vanda is quicker and his punches are snapping.  Vanda is throwing the left jab out there, then following a moment later with hooks.  Muller lands a solid right to the ribs of Vanda, but the Predator looks no worse for wear.  Vanda lands a combination that bounces Muller backwards intoa corner, but Muller comes out strong and traps Vanda against the ropes.  Vanda connects with a very strong jab, and the two commence to circling.  Muller throws a three punch combo that doesn’t land, Vanda returns fire and lands a couple of hooks to the body.  Muller throws a right-left-right-right that lands, but Vanda strikes back hard.  The bell rings and the two men touch gloves before returning to their corners.

Round 3

After some preliminary stroking, Vanda connects with a good straight right that causes Muller discomfort.  Vanda is comfortable out there, flicking the jab and following his opponent wherever it pleases Muller to go.  Muller has a strong jab, but a slow one, and it isn’t doing him much good.  Showing good movement and anticipation, Muller ducks away from some Vanda punches, but when Vanda catches him with a right to the body, it clearly hurts him.  Muller flurries to cover his vulnerability, and the moment passes.  Muller is landing some one-twos, but nothing of note.  Vanda continues to pursue, Muller leaning forward at the waist to protect his body.  Ron Lyke can be heard shouting from the corner to “Hit the body, hit the body!”  Muller walks forward, throwing a punch with each step, until Vanda pushes him back with a few weary power shots.

Round 4

Muller comes right out with a left-right, but then backs off.  Vanda keeps tossing his head to the right, possibly dealing with sweat in his eyes or a congested nose.  Vanda lands three good shots that hurt Muller, and when Muller appears vulnerable Vanda charges in, initially landing some good shots but then eating a few as Muller returns fire.  The two move to the center of the ring, where Vanda shoves a strong left jab into Muller’s face.  Muller is occasionally flinching away from contact, but alternately lunging in with hooks and straights.  Vanda pauses to  blow out his left nostril.  Muller is moving backwards now, back and to his left.  Vanda gets caught by a left cross but it does no harm.  Vanda is comfortable coming forward, apparently knowing that he’ll get the better of most exchanges.  Bell and round.

Round 5

Muller lands a good short right to start things out.  Vanda is moving forward and looking for an opening.  Muller grimaces at a left-right from Vanda.  Muller is tired but tough.  Vanda throws a low left hook that makes Muller retreat, then Muller lands a couple of single left jabs.  Muller lands a tentative one-two, but then Vanda comes back with several hard hooks to the body.  Muller is trying to keep Vanda at bay with the jab, but when Vanda comes inside, Muller does some good work with short hooks.  Vanda lands another hard left jab, and Muller walks backwards and leans against the ropes.  Muller lands a right hook to the side of Vanda’s head, but Vanda is unfazed and lands two very strong left hooks to the body.  Muller misses with a right and then shakes his right hand, as though it is hurt.  Vanda is beginning to look arm-weary, but is at least keeping his hands up.

Round 6

Vanda’s face is unmarked and he is up early from his stool, bouncing on his toes as he waits for the round to start.  Muller has feet far apart and is trying to lean in with jabs and hooks, but Vanda connects a strong three-punch combination.  Vanda stagger-steps forward and then grins at Muller.  Muller responds with a furious flurry that make Vanda retreat to the opposite corner.  Muller can barely swing his arms now, and Vanda is stalking.  Vanda misses with a right from long range.  A left hook to the base of Muller’sneck causes him to pause for a second, but then he puts his head down and pushes Vanda across the ring.  Muller finds his best offense close in, where Vanda cannot defend, but his misfortune is that Vanda is equally adept in close.  the two are trading in Vanda’s corner at the bell, and Muller, who is coming forward, throws one right long after the bell.  Vanda gives him a shove, but then turns away.

Round 7

Muller is slow enough that he’s having trouble moving Vanda’s moving target.  Now Muller digs dep to find three left jabs that land, but Vanda returns the favor with a left jab that snaps his head back.  A left hook to the body and left hook to the head of Muller throw him backwards into the ropes, but he comes back with some thudding body shots of his own.  Muller’s favorite target is Vanda’s left shoulder, but occasionally he finds Vanda’s head instead.  Vanda is trying to throw double hooks.  Muller swoops in with a right uppercut that catches Vanda a glancing blow, and after some ineffectual trading, comes home with a couple of wicked body shots.  After a brief lull, Vanda comes back with a series of hooks that would certainly floor a smaller man.

Round 8

the last round begins with a heartfelt hug, then the battling begins anew.  Muller is leaning far forward to land several strong jabs, but Vanda, as always, appears unscathed.  A left jab-right hook lands for Muller, but Vanda comes to life, attacking with multiples power shots from evil angles.  Vanda retreats fro man engagement but then stumbles backwards into the ropes.  Vanda comes back with a vengeance, landing a series of left and rigt hooks to the body of Muller.  In the center of the ring a Vanda left buckles Muller’s knees, but Muller stays on his feet.  muller is only throwing arm shots now, and Vanda smells blood.  Vandalands a right to the head of Muller that causes a stumble, then the two trade with huge power shots until AMulle loses his balance and stumbles to a neutral corner.  As the round comes to a close two exhausted warriors are flinging everything they have at each other, but it’s clear now that neither will score the knockout.  this round, and the fight, go clearly to Vanda, but Muller deserves a ton of credit for a strong effort against an intense and well conditioned opponent.

Brad Patraw (now 6-0 with 4 kayos) defeats Javier Segura (now 4-17 with 4 kayos) by TKO at 2:47 in round 4 of 6 scheduled.

Round 1

Segura comes out brave and aggressive and actually lands a few punches, but Patraw’s speed and accuracy show.  Patraw cuffs Segura around the ring at will for nearly three minutes.  though Segura is tough and willing, he’s unable to connect with Patraw’s head, even when Patraw leaves himself open.  Flurries to Segura’s body hurt him badly, and there are extended periods where he can get nothing going.  Round dominated by Patraw.

Round 2

Segura comes out winging, and manages to land a couple of  hooks to the jaw of Patraw.  Patraw is relaxing and not forcing the action, but is showing a tendency to showboat, particularly by swinging his right hand like a pendulum.  They say speed kills, and Patraw is showing plenty.  Referee Gary Miezwa is letting the fight go on despite Segura’s inability to compete.  A fierce uppercut rocks Segura, and Patraw follows it up with a series of power shots to the body and head.  Segura appears ready to go down, but he lasts tothe bell.  Segura throws a couple of punches after the bell and Patraw responds in kind.

Round 3

Patraw comes out jabbing, but then reverts to his early pattern of hooks to the body followed by hooks to the head.  Segura is clearly frustrated and hurt, but he’s hanging in there.  Patraw is moving backwards and to his right and countering Segura’s wild shots effectively.  Segura must be tough as nails, but he can muster no offense against the superior Patraw.  Patraw lands a winging right to the rribs and left to the ear of Segura.  Patraw is picking his shots now.  Segura finally lands a straight left, but there’s nothing behind it.  Patraw is pawing with the jab, taking a rest.  Now the two trade as the round draws to a close, neither man scoring anything of note.

Round 4

Surprisingly, Segura looks stronger and more aggressive at the start of this round, but Patraw continues to counter effectively moving backwards.  Segura lands a good left hook, and Patraw backs into a corner.  Now a body shot makes Patraw grimace, and Segura puts his head into Patraw’s chest and throws a ton of body shots.  Patraw finally bends his knees and dips down to throw a power shot.  After a lengthy lull, Patraw throws a series of hooks that momentarily freeze Segura, but Segura is showing a true Mexican fighter’s heart.  A right from Patraw knocks Segura’s mouthpiece out, and Patraw takes the cue to flurry.  Referee Miezwa breaks the action to reinsert the offending hunk of rubber.  Segura can only bum rush and maul Patraw now, and he does so effectively until a single right from Patraw knocks him wobbly.  Patraw sees Segura reach for a rope to steady himself and charges in, landing about half of the fifteen or twenty power shots he throws until Miezwa has seen enough and jumps in to make a good stoppage.

 

 

Ceresso Fort (now 7-0 with 7 kayos) defeats Yancy Cuellar (now 0-6) by KO in  56 seconds into round 1 of 6 scheduled.

Round 1

Cuellar comes out with an odd crouching stance and his arms almost crossed in front of him.  Ducking and punching, Cuellar hooks Fort twice in the left butt cheek.  Fort throws a combination for the first time and catches Cuellar with a crushing body punch.  Cuellar doesn’t want to continue, so he doesn’t.  He remains on his face until the fight is waved off, then gets up and casually walks back to his corner.

 

 

Jose Hilario (now 1-0 with 1 knockout) defeats John Swanberg (now 0-1 ) by knockout at 1:00 in the first round of four scheduled.

Round 1

Swanberg begins the fight cowering and jabbing, Hilario is clearly the stronger man.  A clash is inconclusive as both men punch and miss coming in.   Swanberg has a bad habit of fighting on his toes with his chin in the air, and Hilario is taking advantage.  Swanberg is down!  A monstrous right uppercut to the body ends the fight, but referee Gary Miezwa gives Swanberg some time to rise.  He remains on his knees with his forehead on the mat until Miezwa waves the fight off.

 

Bobby Kliewer (now 10-8 with 5 kayos) defeats John Turner (3-12 with no kayos) by TKO at 2:32 in the first of four scheduled rounds

Round 1

The much taller Kliewer comes out stalking, but Turner aggresses with a lunging jab immediately.  Backing Turner into the ropes, Kliewer lands a flurry.  Turner moves well, but Kliewer’s longer reach is showing.  Kliewer lands a good right uppercut as Turner tries to come in.  Turner is ducking and lunging.  Seconds later, Turner is now fighting on his heels.  Kliewer lands a good three-punch combination that puts Turner on his butt and into the ropes.  Quick getting back to his feet, Turner nods as referee Mark Nelson gives him a mandatory eight count.  Turner is moving and punching, but Kliewer is a much more effective offensive fighter.  Kliewer traps Turner on the ropes and connects with about six straight power shots, Turner nearly topples through the ropes, and referee Nelson leaps in to rescue him.  Fight over.

 

Exhibition: Antwan Robertson (4-1 with 3 kayos) –vs- Derek Winston (amateur) – The Fistic Mystic says that if this were a real bout, Winston would have won all four rounds by varying margins.

Round 1

 Round begins with much jabbing and circling.   Winston is doing the pursuing, neither man is throwing with evil intentions.   About a minute in Winston hits and hurts his cousin with a three punch combination.  Robertson, as is his wont, is fighting from a defensive posture.  Right-right-left and then a flurry from Robertson, that’s his first good offensive moment.  Winston is looking very good, landing a lot more punches.  Robertson flurries to the body about five seconds before the bell.

Round 2

 Winston is coming forward and traps Robertson in a corner momentarily, landing two to the body and one to the head.  Robertson lands a sharp jab to the midsection of Winston.  Robertson, back to the ropes, eats a couple of good shots.  Robertson is consistently moving backward, but now comes forward and gets caught in a headlock.  Winston is grinning as the two break up.  Right and left to the body land for Winston, then a big head shot.  Robertson answers with one big punch.  Upppercut misses badly for obertson, and he backs up only to get hit and hurt again.  The two smile at each other and then clinch.    Winston is a monster to the body.  Distress is visible on Robertson’s face as the round ends.

Round 3

winston is bouncing laterally and jabbing sharply to begin the third.  Robertson lands two to the body and one tot he head, but then backs up to the ropes and gets caught with a wicked combination to the body.  Winston lunges with a jab to the body, which robertson mimics.  neither finds success.  Left hook for Winston lands and moves robertson, then another right freezes Robertson.  Winston flurries, then Robertson throws an extended flurry which has little effect but shows well.  One has to be impressed with winston’s professional bearing and aggressiveness.  Left hook to the belly hurts Robertson, and he retreats again.  Winston feints and Robertson flinches, backs into a corner, and gets hit with another good flurry.Robertson, who usually scores well with single shots, isn’t tonight.

Round 4

Robertson lands a triple right jab to begin the round, and is now boxing on equal terms with his cousin.  Robertson ducks and backs into the ropes as a flurry lands for Winston.  A clinch and a break are followed by some weary slugging by Winston.  The two throw simultaneous jabs, then Winston lands a series of serious hooks.  Left hook lands for winston.  Robertson lands some power shots going backward for the first time tonight.  The boxers are trading power shots in the middle of the ring, both landing but neither getting the upper hand.  Both men are landing, but Winston is following up on his successes better.  Some more ineffective punches and grins, and the final bell rings.

Upcoming Boxing Event: August 14 at The Myth in Maplewood

Matt Vanda (right) mixes it up with John Duddy

What to watch for: Matt Vanda tests the super middleweight waters with moderately tough and moderately dangerous but always fit Teddy Muller of Moline, IL.  Muller has faced some very stiff competition over the years, and has an entertaining style.  Sort of like a less successful version of Vanda.  Ceresso Fort looks to notch another win against fellow St Paulite Ray Walker.  Brad Patraw takes on an experienced opponent in a quest to increase his win total and gain more experience.  Bobby Kliewer, who tells mnboxingleague.com that he’s in great shape for a change, will engage John Turner in a fight he should win.  Jose Hilario, brother of popular local pro Wilton Hilario, finally turns pro against dangerous Hector Orozco, who stole RJ Laase’s “0″ in Duluth last spring.  Cousins and “brothers” Antwan Robertson and Derek Winston will box in an exhibition as Winston continues to mull turning pro under the tutelage of John Hoffman.

• Matt Vanda (40-9 with 22 kayos) -vs- Ted Muller (19-15 with 9 kayos), super middleweights, scheduled for 8 rounds
• Ceresso Fort (6-0 with 6 kayos) -vs- Ray Walker (1-6 with no kayos), middleweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Brad Patraw (5-0 with 3 kayos) -vs- Javier Segura (4-16 with 4 kayos), super bantamweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Robert Kliewer (9-8 with 4 kayos) -vs- John Turner (3-11 with no kayos), super middleweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Jose Hilario (pro debut) -vs- Hector Orozco (1-2 with no kayos), junior welterweights, scheduled for 4 rounds
• Exhibition: Antwan Robertson (4-1 with 3 kayos) -vs- Derek Winston (0-0), scheduled for 4 rounds

Boxing Results: April 18 at Target Center, Minneapolis

Results are below are deemed reliable but are subject to revision.  Wish I could have been there.

Matt Vanda (now 40-9 with 22 kayos) defeats Tocker Pudwill (now 40-7 with 14 kayos) by MD after eight rounds, middleweights, scheduled for 8 rounds

Allen Litzau (13-4 with 7 kayos) is defeated by Wilton Hilario (11-0-1 with 9 kayos) by TKO in the fifth round of ten scheduled

Ceresso Fort (6-0 with 6 kayos) defeats Bobby Kliewer (9-8 with 4 kayos) by TKO in the fourth round of six scheduled

Jason Litzau (24-2 with 20 kayos) defeats Phillip Payne (16-23-1 with 8 kayos) by TKO in the fifth round of eight scheduled

Jon Laboda (5-0 with 4 kayos) defeats Patrick Cape (5-5 with 3 kayos) by TKO after two rounds of four scheduled

Don Tierney (1-0 with no kayos) defeats Zach Schumach (unknown), by UD after four rounds

Derek Winston (0-0) -vs- Alex Stringer (0-3-1) is canceled for reasons unknown.

Phil Williams (10-1 with 9 kayos) -vs- Chance Western (1-1 with no kayos) is canceled because Williams, a light heavyweight, declined to fight Western, a super middleweight.

Upcoming Boxing Event: March 28 at Grand Casino Hinckley

The atmosphere on Saturday night is guaranteed to be charged.  There will be loyalists from various boxing camps, hardcore boxing fans hoping for a great show, and casual fans hoping for a scary knockout.  There will be all the vulgar rituals that inevitably attend our beautiful sport: drinking, betting, shouting, swearing, and arguing.  Cameras will be flashing, reporters taking notes, bloggers trying ineffectually to conserve laptop battery power, and perhaps even a few representatives of the mainstream press trying to understand the strange and unfamiliar spectacle that confronts them.

But most critically, there should be you.

I hope you’ve bought your tickets.  I’m not predicting a sellout, but I have been told that sales are “ahead of all other past Hinckley shows.”  And why not?  The featured bout is a matchup of the most accomplished middleweight in Minnesota in the last ten years with one of the highest-profile young fighters to emerge from our state in any division in the last five years.  The co-feature will  showcase two talented small men putting their undefeated status on the line.  And the undercard consists of four well-matched bouts.

What to watch for:  Defending Minnesota middleweight champ Anthony Bonsante defends his belt against worthy challenger Andy Kolle.  The winner will raise his profile and the loser will question the direction of his career.  Super flyweight Antwan Robertson and featherweight Brad Patraw compromise and meet at 120# as they fight for the first time as pros – remember that Patraw gave Robertson two of the three losses of his amateur career.  Ceresso Fort of Rice Street takes on rough and reckless Iowan Joshua Rodriguez.  Gary Eyer makes the trip from Duluth to face old veteran Scott Robinson of Wisconsin.  Brawler Tyler Gould returns to welterweight to fight division fixture Danny Schlienz.  And newcomer Kasey Kluge makes his professional debut against winless Brandon Skinner of Nebraska.

• Anthony Bonsante (32-10 with 18 kayos) -vs- Andy Kolle (17-2 with 12 kayos), for the Minnesota state middleweight title, scheduled for 10 rounds
• Brad Patraw (4-0 with 3 kayos) -vs- Antwan Robertson (4-0 with 3 kayos), super bantamweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Ceresso Fort (4-0 with 4 kayos) -vs- Joshua Rodriguez (4-6 with 3 kayos), light heavyweights, scheduled for 6 rounds
• Gary Eyer (4-0-1 with 3 kayos) -vs- Scott Robinson (3-8-1 with 2 kayos), lightweights, scheduled for 5 rounds
• Kasey Kluge (0-0) -vs- Brandon Skinner (0-2), featherweights, scheduled for 4 rounds
• Tyler Gould (5-3 with 5 kayos) -vs- Daniel Schlienz (7-15-1 with 4 kayos), scheduled for 4 rounds

First Look at April 18 (Target Center) Boxing Card

Here’s a preview of the April 18 fight card for the Target Center in Minneapolis:

Jason Litzau (23-2 with 19 kayos) -vs- TBA – Matchmaker Cory Rapacz says “Nothing yet for Jason; he’s f’n impossible to match.”

Allen Litzau (13-3 with 7 kayos) -vs- Wilton Hilario (10-0 with 8 kayos), junior lightweights, scheduled for eight rounds

Matt Vanda (39-8 with 22 kayos) -vs- Shelby Pudwill (tentative), middleweights, scheduled for 8 rounds – Rapacz: “A lot depends on how Matt comes out of the [February 21] Duddy fight.”

Ceresso Fort (4-0 with 4 kayos) -vs- TBA, middleweights, scheduled for 6 rounds – Rapacz: “We will have to see how [Fort] comes out of Hinckley before making any commitments to an opponent.”

Tyler Gould (5-3 with 5 kayos) -vs- Danny Schleinz (7-15 with 4 kayos), welterweights, scheduled for 4 rounds – Rapacz: “Hoping to get Danny Schleinz or else we’ll try Magdaleno.”

Donny Tierney (pro debut) -vs- David Duncan (0-1), junior middleweights, scheduled for 4 rounds – Rapacz: “[This] was agreed to today.”

I asked Cory whether he is the matchmaker who Corey Rodriguez had mentioned talking to about an April return and he confirmed:  “Yep, I’m talking with C-Rod about April 18th.”

Final remarks: “We’re planning on…about eight fights total so we’ll see what we end up with!”

Boxing Results: September 20 at Treasure Island Resort and Casino

These results will be updated as information becomes available.  Initial postings are taken from messageboard reports and will be confirmed Sunday morning.

Tony “The Bullet” Bonsante (now 32-10 with 18 knockouts) defeats Carl “The Squirrel” Daniels (now 50-15 with 32 knockouts), by UD after ten rounds

Matt “The Predator” Vanda (39-7 with 22 kayos) defeats Dezi Ford (24-24 with 9 kayos) by kayo in round 8 of 8

Raphael Butler (32-6 with 24 kayos) defeats Lyle McDowell (27-11 with 18 kayos) in round 1 of 6

Antwan Robertson (4-0 with 3 kayos) -vs- Ronnie Peterson (amateur) – EXHIBITION

Harley Kilfian (6-2 with 5 kayos) defeats Ron Krull (4-34 with 6 kayos) by kayo in round 1 of 4

Terrance Trottier Jr (1-4 with 1 kayo) loses to Daniel Schlienz (7-13 with 4 kayos) by TKO in round 4 of 4

Ceresso Fort (3-0 with 3 kayos) defeats Mike Krull (0-7) by kayo in round 1 of 4