Parting Thoughts on Starstruck Boxing at Mahnomen

• Congratulations to Antwan Robertson and John Hoffman!  Robertson proved his ability and Hoffman his smarts with the enormous improvement in Robertson’s performance over last March.  Most local fans thought they knew how this one would end, and the Brothers proved that almost everyone was wrong.
• Kudos also to Hoffman’s pal and helper Sean Hickman, whose trombone-like voice blared in my ear for eight rounds last night – his insights were spot-on and timely, and there’s no doubt that Antwan could hear every last word!  Talking to Hickman after the fight I got the idea that he could really use a lozenge.
• This was my first time seeing Mike Davis fight, and he more than lived up to his reputation as a heavy-handed scrapper.  It was really impressive to see him out-brawl the Blue Collar Brawler, Jesse Barbot.  I’ll be watching for his name on future fight cards.
• Nick Whiting’s body shot that ended his bout with Travis McCullough was a bolt of lightning from nowhere.  Nothing he threw in the first round and a half gave a hint of what was to come – until that body shot it looked like McCullough would have his way with Whiting.
• Derek Winston’s somewhat disappointing performance apparently was due to a hand injury.  Winston’s right hand was swollen and painful after the fight – he didn’t think it was broken, but hopefully he’ll have it checked out.  And hopefully Antwan Robertson’s cousin and favorite sparring partner will heal that hand and return to form for his next bout.
• I’m not a fan of womens’ boxing, but I have to report that Concha Ross and Brittany Tenbears gave a good account of themselves.  Both were tough and determined.  What neither had was good conditioning.  Both of these ladies were battling exhaustion by the middle of the second round – if one or the other had been in better condition the bout wouldn’t have ended in a draw.
• Lawrence Goodman showed plenty of power and good coordination in his brief bout with Chance Western.  I heard that Western was recovering from an illness before the fight, and couldn’t help wondering whether that had something to do with his inability to compete.

Live Round-by-Round: October 23 at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota

Once again the Fistic Mystic reports from ringside.  Tonight we’ll be treated to a Minnesota state title fight and a card of competitive boxing matches at a variety of weights.

A few changes on the card tonight – Tomi Archambault has been replaced with David Laque, Robert Benton has been replaced by Chance Western, and the Brad Croaker-Marty Lindquist is absent from the official bout sheet.

Brad Patraw (now 6-1 with 4 kayos) is defeated by Antwan Robertson (now 5-1-1 with 3 kayos) after eight rounds.  Robertson is the new Minnesota bantamweight champion.  The scores are announced as 76-75, 76-74, and 76-74.

Round 1

Robertson begins the action with a light jab, Patraw follows him into his corner and lands a stronger jab.  Robertson throws the first combination of the fight, landing a right hook to the hip of Patraw.  Robertson lunges with a big right hook that misses wildly, but stabs a jab into the eye of Patraw as a follow up.  Now the two are circling to their right, and Robertson attacks again.  A sharp jab lands to the body of Patraw, then a strong right to the head.  Patraw flurries in reply, and lands several times.  Robertson is jabbing with good effect, keeping Patraw more at bay than at any time in the first meeting between these two.  Patraw is content so far to follow and take a jab to get close.  Robertson sticks him with the right jab, then the two clinch.  Patraw tries to catch Robertson off guard with a wide hook, but to little effect.  Robertson lands a sharp right to the temple of Patraw a few seconds before the bell, and I’d say that Robertson has taken the round decisively.

Round 2

Patraw lands a good power shot to the body of Robertson, Robertson responds with a sharp right-left to the body of Patraw.  Robertson looks noticeably faster than Patraw so far, but when Patraw gets his range he does land the more powerful punches.  Patraw continues to come forward and Robertson continues to retreat and counter.  Patraw finally jumps forward to land three shots, and Robertson boogies out of the corner in which he was nearly trapped.  Robertson ducks under a left hook but fails to counter.  Patraw is stymied by the quickness and jabs of Robertson.  Patraw finally corners Robertson, but after landing one hook is clinched and has to give up the ground he’d gained.  Robertson lands a straight right that must have hurt, but his corner advises him to throw combinations instead of single shots.  The two trade as the bell rings, and referee Nelson has to break them up and push Robertson away.

Round 3

Patraw comes out this round trying to jab back at Robertson, but Robertson gets a right through to the side of Patraw’s head and momentarily sets Patraw’s ear on his shoulder.  Patraw bulls Robertson into a corner and lets him go.  Robertson continues to land his jab, and Patraw is looking intense, but frustrated.  Intensely frustrated.  Patraw finally goes back to the body and lands two good power shots to Robertson before Robertson bounces off the ropes and  into the center of he ring.  Patraw lands a single hook to the ribs of Robertson, then a jab to Robertson’s face.  Robertson lands a stinging jab to Patraw’s face, snapping his head back.  Patraw can’t match Robertson’s speed and has yet to cut off the ring  – but just as I write the words, he finally does and lands three good body shots that bend Robertson over at the waist.  Bell and round.

Round 4

Between rounds Patraw is advised by Jonny Johnson to counter with the right hook.  Patraw again corners Robertson, only momentarily, and scores with more shots to the head and body.  Robertson isn’t snapping that jab so effectively now, and Patraw is getting his range.  Now Patraw stands stock still, then lunges forward to connect with a solid right to the head.  Robertson is nearly trapped against the ropes, but lands a good one-two and bashes his way out. Nevertheless, Patraw is getting closer and closer, and connecting more often as a result.  A powerful right lands to the body of Robertson.  Patraw plays possum against the ropes, and Robertson goes after him looking for blood.  The two trade in dramatic fashion, electrifying the crowd!  The round ends with Robertson’s corner screaming at him that he must go out on his shield, but the bell rings and momentarily postpones such an exit for either man.

Round 5

Robertson is back jabbing, but Patraw charges in on him and lands.  Clinching against the ropes, the two throw few punches and land none.  Patraw is more on offense than Robertson right now, but both men are in this game.  Robertson continues to move back and to the left.  His corner is frustrated that he’s showing less offense this round.  Patraw catches Robertson near his corner and bounces him off the ropes.  Robertson is caught with his hands down.  Patraw is intent on  making this a war, and Robertson is less interested.  But scientific boxing won’t win this fight for Robertson.  Patraw’s right hand is at his waist now, but Robertson fails to throw.  Robertson is backing off.  Now he finally puts his head down and connects with a monstrous hook and uppercut combination.  Patraw’s feet are far apart and his knees bent so far that his butt nearly sweeps the canvas, and Robertson again lands with a wild hook that snaps Patraws head back against the top rope.  Finally Patraw escapes and as he runs away, taunts Robertson.  But that hurt!

Round 6

Robertson pops a right hand to the face of Patraw but fails to follow it.  Patraw is brawling with some effect, but he can’t match Robertson’s speed when Robertson attacks.  Robertson cracks Patraw hard with a right, the two circle, and then Robertson hits him with another very powerful right that hurts him.  Patraw is inspired to fire back, but has trouble meeting Robertson flush.  Robertson tries to duck a combination, but gets hit with three of four punches.  Robertson lands a left jab and then a right hook that sends Patraw skidding across the ring on his backside.  Patraw wants to show that he isn’t hurt so rises immediately, but it’s clear that he absorbed a monstrous hook.  No further action before the bell.

Round 7

Patraw wants to show that he hasn’t lost any steam, but Robertson lands twice with flush hooks that Patraw tries but fails to dodge.  Patraw lands flush with a slapping right hook to Robertson’s head.  Robertson is on his horse now, trying to get a breather, now referee Nelson stops the action to warn Robertson – for holding, I think.  Back to action, each man tags the other with a power shot.  Robertson tries to engage but Robertson pops him with a good left hook.  Robertson just isn’t fast enough to brawl with Robertson – he needs a new strategy!  After eating a right and bouncing off the ropes Robertson lands a good left, but only a single left.  Now a solid right hook hurts Patraw, who has a big red welt on his left cheek.  Robertson pursues and catches Patraw with another big hook, but the bell rings and both men head back to their corners.

Round 8

Patraw comes out jabbing.  Robertson lands one big right, then five seconds later another one.  Patraw is moving backwards when Robertson catches him twice with big hooks that leave him stunned.  Robertson is going for the kill!  Patraw tries to punch out of his corner and gets out, but gets caught and goes down for the second time in this fight – and the second time in his career.  Robertson is running now.  Patraw finally catches him and the two clash in the center of the ring, but the end result is a clash of heads that hurts Patraw more than Robertson.  Patraw is bleeding a lot, but it’s hard to tell from where.  It’s on his face, his neck, and his back.  It looks like it’s coming from a gash on his head above his right ear.  More banging, but no further scoring before the rounds ends.  End of the fight.  What a fight!!!

 

Jesse Barbot (now 6-5 with 3 kayos) is defeated by Michael Davis (now 4-6 with 4 kayos) by knockout in round 6 of 6 scheduled.

 Round 1

The fighters immediately begin circling slowly to their right, with each man testing the waters with tentative jabs.  Now Davis begins  moving to his left and throws a combination that lands.  Barbot finally lands with a right to the body of the smaller Davis, but it’s only one punch.  Davis lands below the belt and receives a warning as the action continues.  Now Barbot tries to wade in brawling, but Davis proves elusive as he retreats into this own corner.  Davis in turn backs Barbot into a neutral corner and lands, then Davis escapes.  Now the two meet by the ropes and wrestle themselves into Barbot’s corner, where referee Bobby Brunette separates them.  Davis lands a big single shot that momentarily freezes Barbot, but Barbot charges into Davis with his head down and lands a couple of glancing blows which nonetheless count.  An audible clash of heads is the onlyfurther  action before the bell rings.

Round 2

Davis, being visibly smaller than Barbot, is tense and careful as the second round begins, Barbot is more relaxed, but also looking for an opening.  After missing a left Barbot lands a good right, but then eatts a very strong counter from Davis that puts him off for a moment.  Barbot is coming forward, Davis retreating, and if Barbot manages to cut off Davis’s retreat he’ll find a chance to throw the mustard.  Neither man is afraid of contact and the two have gone chest-to-chest more than once without scoring any big blows.    Davis is moving backwards and looks to throw a left but hesitates, and Barbot lands a good scoring shot at an opportune time.  The two trade but neither hurts the other to the end of the round.

Round 3

Davis digs with an ambitious right uppercut to the ribs of Barbot.  Barbot is trying mightily to catch Davis, but having trouble catching up to his wiry quick opponent.  Davis lunges forward as he throws a right, so much so that he hits Barbot’s temple with his bicep instead of his fist.  Barbot is stalking Davis, but when he finally catches him gets his mouthpiece knocked out.  It takes a few moments for Brunette to recognize that it’s out, but the action quickly resumes.  Barbot is now ducking and charging in an attempt to get close enough to land, which results in a clash and both men throwing rabbit punches.  Barbot is clearly aggravited and taunts Davis before charging in wildly - although his antics incite the crowd, his attack is ineffectual.  Davis lands one more power shot as the round ends.

Round 4

Barbot is out for blood and corners Davis.  After absorbing a couple of good shots Davis scoots past Barbot and into the center of the ring.  Davis is still on his toes but slowing doewn, and Barbot lands his best punch of the fight in Davis’s corner.  Davis allows Barbot to maul him for a few moments, then tries to punch his way out but is unable.  Barbot is leaning on Davis with his entire weight and mauling the body.  Brunette finally breaks the two, then as soon as action resumes he stops it again to warn both men.  I can’t hear what the warnings are for.  Davis and Barbot both land oppostite hand hooks a tthe same time, neither is hurt.  Davis looks to be having fun, though he is clearly tired and hurt.  Barbot is wild-eyed and employing roughhouse tactics.  More unstrategic mauling follows, which favors the larger man – Barbot.  Bell and round.

Round 5

Davis comes out on offense and immediately lands lefts repeatedly to the face of Barbot.  When that strategy is played out he lands a good right to the ribs of Barbot.  Barbot is now jabbing, then backs Davis up one more time and lands to uppercuts to the body of Davis.  Davis looks a little wobbly and slow, but Barbot may be too tired to capitalize.  finally Davis charges Barbot and lands three lefts that knock
Barbot down.  as action resumes Barbot goes down a second time.  Davis charges Barbot again and punches him through the ropes where he is caught by the timekeeper - it was a left that did the dirty work that time.  Barbot gets back ito the ring and is game but exhausted and his balance is shot.  The round ends with Barbot staggering back to his corner and Davis jubilant at what he thinks will come next.

Round 6

Just as the round begins Davis states “I ain’t got no mouthpiece and is sent back to his corner to retrieve it.  Now the two are back in their patterns Barbot coming forward and Davis countering.  Barbot, breathing heavily through the mouth, loses his mouthpiece.  Aftet getting it back he tries again to corner Davis but is hurt to the ribs by a Davis left and goes to his knees.  Back on his feet, Barbot is trying to meet Davis’s power with scuzz of his own, but Davis has m uch more pop at this point and Barbot is getting tagged regularly.  Barbot lands a good overhand right to the jaw of Davis, and a lull follows.  Davis lunges in, grabs Barbot around the waist, and throws a right that connects to barbot’sspine.  Barbot loses his mmouthpiece once more and whether it’s that distraction or sheer exhaustion, backs off just in time to get his by a powershotting Davis right.  Barbot goes down hard flat on his back, and his head bounces on the mat.  Brunette immediately – and wisely – halts the fight.

 

Nick Whiting (now 2-12 with 2 kayos) defeats Travis McCullough (now 1-4 with 1 kayo) by knockout in round 2 of 4 scheduled

McCullough enters the ring to the strains of the reggae tune Buffalo Soldier, while Whiting makes his entrance accompanied by the Stones’ Paint it Black.

Round 1

After a lengthy unexplained delay, the bell finally rings and we’re off!  McCullough is jabbing and punching up the middle, while Whiting keeps coming forward without landing anything.  Each time Whiting gets close he eats a left hand from McCullough.  Finally Whiting makes some offense, landing a couple of wide hooks to the body.  The two circle and jab for a time, then Mac lands a single power shot to the body, then a single power shot to the h ead of Whiting.  Whiting finally gets inside and lands several hooks and an uppercut to the middle of Mac’s body.  Mac lands a wide left hook, then doubles up on the right jab to drive Whiting backwards.  Whiting loses his mouthpiece and the fight is paused only briefly.  Whiting lands two in a row, then takes a straight left and falls down backwards.  Referee Brunette treats it as a knockdown and gives Whiting the mandatory eight count.  The two move and trade through the end of the round, neither man scoring appreciably.

Round 2

Mac begins the second in pursuit of Whiting, Whiting is game and tries to trade with him.  Whiting’s hands aren’t fast or heavy, but he needs to move them more if he’s going to be in this fight.  Whiting ducks under a left hook and lands three jabs as he comes forward.  Mac is battering Whiting with lefts and rights, and Whiting’s defense seems to be degrading.  Whiting lands two left  jabs to the torso of Mac, but the bigger and stronger man appears to MacCullough.  Suddenly Whiting lands a single shot to the body that crumples Mac, and referee Brunette counts him out.  KO win for Whiting! 

 

Derek Winston (now 1-0) defeats David Laque (now 1-3 with 1 kayo) by unanimous decision after four rounds

Round 1

Feints and dancing rule the early going.  A clash in a neutral corner results in no punches being landed.  Laque lands the first punch of the night with a right  jab about twenty seconds in, then lands a straight right as he circles to his right.  Laque lunges in and lands what may have been a left hook to the body of Winston, then Winston pauses to hike up his trunks and has to fend of a quick attack from Laque.  Laque feints and Winston misses with a big left hook.  Laque is moving his upper body well and making it tough for Winston to connect.  The other half of the equasion is also in Laque’s favor, as he lands another snapping hook to the body of Winston.  Winston is loading up, but his cornerman John Hoffman sagely advises him to use his speed instead.  Winston gets smart and lands solidly for the first time tonight with an uppercut to Laque’s body.  Winston pursues Laque and lands two more glancing punches to the body, but nothing of great effect.

Round 2

Laque twice lunges forward to land left hooks to the head and chest of Winston.  Winston, the quicker man, seems to having trouble gauging Laque’s movements.  A straight right misses the mark for Winston, and the two circle.  A clinch results in no connections, and referee Mark Nelson breaks the two apart.  Laque’s lunging is getting more reckless as he gains confidence.  Winston lands a good single shot but fails to follow up.  Winston then lands a very solid right to the midsection of Laque, but Laque again escapes.  Winston switches to southpaw momentarily and ducks, then throws Laque coming in.  Laque regains his balance and the two circle.  Winston hangs his tongue out, and when Laque comes forward Winston tags him with two solid shots.  Laque ducks and lunges at the same time, getting his head caught under Winston’s arm in the act.  No more offense ensues before the round ends.

Round 3

Winston comes out looking to score, but Laque again ducks down and Winston lands only glancing blows.  Laque may be tiring, as he’s getting caught under Winston’s arms more and more frequently.  Another duck from Laque, and this time he grabs Winston around the waist.  Nelson breaks the two, and a tactical battle begins.  After mostly useless waving of fists, Winston finally catches Laque with a good shot to the body, but ten seconds later gets caught in kind.  Laque flurries with several power shots, but then Winston unloads one huge left hook that puts him off balance. 

Winston now begins moving backwards and countering effectively, and this fight mjay have turned in his favor.

Winston ducks and lunges as Laque has been doing, and though he fails to score, Laque appeared to notice that the tables had been turned.  Bell rings, round over.

Round 4

Winston needs to score well this round, or his long-anticipated pro debut may result in a points loss.  Winston does land a good shot to the head of Laque, but Laque responds with more movement than he’s shown in the last two rounds.  Laque ducks and clinches as Winston tries to land to his head.  Winston connects with a right jab, then retreats while throwing counter hooks at Laque’s chest and midsection.  Laque lands a good right the snaps Winston’s head back, but Winston shows good toughness and maintains his focus.  Winston lands a good right, but then goes on the retreat again.  Laque momentarily freezes Winston with a good right hook, and the two appear to have arrived at a stylistic dead end.  Finally Winston lands a couple of shots in a row, and Laque appears to be bleeding from the nose.  Winston lands one more glancing right as the bell rings, and this fight is going to the judges. 

 

Concha Ross (now 0-0-1) and Brittany Tenbears (now 3-0-1) battle to a majority draw after 4 rounds

Round 1

 This is a no-defense brawl from the word go.  Ross charges Tenbears throwing wild hooks, which Tenbears counters effectively with better-placed power shots from angles.  The action slows down, but Tenbears lands a solid left hook to the head, then a painful hook to the body of Ross, which prompts Ross to go back on offense.  Tenberas, tiring visibly as the round draws to a close, lands a serious uppercut to the body of Ross, then Ross backs Tenbears into her own corner and lands her best combination of the round, which culminates in a monstrous right hook to the head.  The two begin to trade just as the bell rings, and referee Bobby Brunette has to break them up.

Round 2

Ross comes out under control, lands a few good shots, but then gets shoved  into the ropes and tagged by a huge shot from Tenbears.  Tenbearas is bleeding from the nose, but continues to land with jabs and straights.  After a brief lull Tenbears lands a shot that once again prompts Ross to flurry effectively.  The bout pauses so Tenbears can get her mouthpiece back in – it’s been missing for a while – and then resumes with slow clubbing punches from both heavyweights.  Ross again bulls Tenbears into the ropes and flurries.  As the round ends, Tenbears is trying to mount some offense, but she appears to be exhausted.  It looks like Tenbears is a more skilled fighter, but Ross is in better shape and lighter on her feet.

Round 3

Both fighters appear reluctant to engage at the beginning of this round, but after about twenty seconds Tenbears tries to end it all at once with a desperate volley of power shots.  Ross answers in kind, albeit with less effect.  Tenbears then tries to keep Ross at bay with the jab, but doesn’t seem to have the energy to throw it, instead sticking it in Ross’s face and leaving it there..  Referee Brunette breaks the two and Tenbears turns her back and walks aaway.  Again she appears reluctant to fight, now Ross hurts her with a number of well-polaced powerr shots.  Tenbears loses her mouthpiece again, and the ref must again pause the action.  It’s hard to say, but Tenbears may be bleeding pretty badly inside herr mouth – either that or she’s using a red mouthpiece.

Round 4

Tenbears smacks Ross with a good left jab and takes three or four power shots in return.  Tenbears escapes the pressure for a moment, but gets caught again, her head snapped back by a vicious shot right from Ross.  Exhaustion has slowed the pace of this fight to a crawl.  Tenbears lands two good shots about three seconds apart. Ross has strength and toughness in spades, and though her face is red all over, she continues to come forward, though most of her punches have lacked snap.  The round ends with both ladies grappling and throwing body shots, and the round and the fight come to a merciful end.

Lawrence Goodman (now 1-0 with 1 kayo) defeats Chance Western (now 1-2 with no kayos), by TKO in round 1 of 4 scheduled.

Round 1

The two touch gloves at the center of the ring and then dance indecisively for about fifteen seconds, until Western touches Goodman with a left jab.  Tactical jabbing ensues until a meeting near a neutral corner sees Goodman pop Western with a couple of power shots, then the two break and met at the opposite corner.    Western connects with his first power shots of the night, but now Goodman is definitely getting the better of things.  Several clashes in different areas of the ring result in serious damage to Western, to the point where he begins flinching and turning his back at contact. About halfway through the first round Goodman knocks Western down to a knee.  Western rises immediately looking dazed and begins to walk away from referee Mark Nelson who immediately takes the cue to stop the bout. 

 

Brad Croaker (3-0 with 2 kayos) -vs- Marty Lindquist (13-8 with 10 kayos), cruiserweights, scheduled for 4 rounds

Round 1

 

Round 2

 

Round 3

 

Round 4

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!

Upcoming Boxing Event: October 23 at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN

Just got my first look at the poster for this upcoming event, and it looks pretty respectable.

Co-headlining the show…

• Brad Patraw and Antwan Robertson rematch – these two fought back in March with only their undefeated status at stake.  This time the vacant Minnesota bantamweight championship is on the line.
• Jesse Barbot and Nick Runningbear are expected to face each other, pending Runningbear’s scheduled (October 3) match with tough Butch Hajicek.

On the undercard…

• Sonny Goodman -vs- Charles Goodwin
• Romando Papsadora -vs- Jeff Fuchs
• Nick Whiting -vs- Travis McCulla
• Brad Croaker -vs- Marty Lindquist
• John Sargent -vs- TBA
• Concha Ross -vs- Bridget Tenbears
• Derek Winston -vs- TBA (The unfortunate Winston has been foiled in past attempts to turn pro – good luck, Derek!)

October 23 poster

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

Minnesota Boxing Scene: Summer/Fall 2009

The Fistic Mystic surveys the Minnesota boxing landscape at the beginning of August, 2009.

• August 8 at Wyatt Earp’s in Ramsey (just west of Anoka on the south side of Highway 10) we have a completely unexpected show from Seconds Out Promotions.  According to the poster, the event will feature Mohammed Kayongo and Caleb Traux, with Willshaun Boxley and others appearing on the undercard.
• August 14 promoter MSC presents a boxing show at The Myth in Maplewood.  This one features Matt Vanda in a tune-up fight against veteran Jose Spearman, with Cerresso Fort and Brad Patraw on the undercard.  Incidentally, the younger Hilario brother (Jose) makes his professional debut on this card.
• A day later, on August 15, Jason Litzau of St Paul appears in a supporting bout at the Roy Jones Jr-Jeff Lacy event in Biloxi, MS.  Attempting to reassert himself on the national stage, Litzau will be facing 21-1-2 Verquan Kimbrough in a lightweight bout.  This fight is be no mere formality; there are no easy fights against 21-1 opponents.
• September 26 brings us the next boxing show at Target Center in Minneapolis.  This event is to be anchored by the first round of fights in a local super middleweight tournament: Phil Williams and Matt Vanda are matched in one bout, while Jungle Boy Zach Walters is expected to be paired with an opponent yet to be named in the second.  Also scheduled to appear on this card: Cerresso Fort, Antwan Robertson, and the professional debut of Derek Winston.
• A little farther down the line, on November 21, is another event at Target Center.  According to mnboxingleague.com, this event will host the championship round of the super middleweight tournament.  I’ve also heard it whispered that the Jason Litzau -vs- Wilton Hilario match, torpedoed this summer by a rib injury suffered by Hilario, could be rescheduled to this date.

It’s also worth mentioning, though no details are yet available, that the long wished-for heavyweight matchup of Joey Abell (25-4) -vs- Raphael Butler (34-8) reportedly has been or soon will be signed.  Neither the date nor the location has yet been announced.  More details will be published here when they become known to me.

Things to get Excited About

For the Minnesota boxing fan, the dog days of summer came early this year. After a busy spring (11 fight cards in-state by the end of June)) that brought us some highly anticipated local matchups, we’ve entered the summertime doldrums that are so characteristic of Minnesota boxing.

For the local fan, when things slow down, it isn’t always easy to find something to get excited about.  So the Fistic Mystic has decided to help everybody remember the good things – fighters, events, and other happenings that can help us cope with the relative lack of activity until things heat up again this fall.

• The Rise of Kolle and Truax – Middleweight has been Minnesota’s most crowded division for years, and the cream continues to rise to the top.  Since the end of spring a persistent rumor has been that state middleweight champ Andy Kolle would accept a challenge from top prospect Caleb Truax in the fall.  Kolle (19-2 with 14 kayos) has won four of his last five fights against fighters with combined records of 157-29.  The popular questions here are whether Truax (12-0 with 8 kayos) is ready to face a fighter of Kolle’s stature, and where the fight will take place if it actually happens.
• Clash of the Titans – On September 26 at Target Center we will see Matt Vanda, the most famous boxer in Minnesota for the last five years, square off against Phil Williams, who is bidding to replace him as the face of boxing in Minnesota.  Whoever wins the fight, Minnesota fans will be all the richer.  And no, you aren’t going to get a prediction from this writer until the fight gets much closer.
• Derek Winston Turns Pro – Rumors of the talented bantamweight’s pro debut have circulated before – he was expected to fight at Target Center in April -  but this time we’re sure that we’re sure that he’ll fight, as long as a suitable opponent can be found.  And that’s always a trick here in the Midwest.
• Ismail Muwendo, Who Are You?  That’s a rhetorical question, of course.  We actually know who Muwendo is.  He’s a fighter who had a stellar amateur career in Uganda and came to the US with dreams of pro success and stardom.  But for anyone who has seen the young man fight, Muwendo’s speed, precision, and power are a revelation.  This prizefighter’s potential is perhaps limited only by the quality of coaching and management he receives.
• Gifted Amateurs – Robert Brant, Javontae Starks, Jamal James, Oscar Soto, Tony Lee…there are others, I know.  We have a lot to look forward to as the next crop of gifted young amateurs gets ready to turn pro!

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: April 18 at Target Center

This card marks the return of boxing to the Target Center, and it comes with a loaded card.

What to watch for: Allen Litzau is a talented fighter, but Wilton Hilario’s higher winning percentage and impressive knockout ratio tell a true tale. In his last bout Hilario didn’t always capitalize on his opponent’s lapses, but he did so often enough and with great enough effect to cause the opponent (Darrell Martin) to default to survival mode. In that fight Martin actually quit throwing punches for nearly an entire round, consequently the referee had no choice but to stop the fight. Litzau, by contrast, has lost three times in his career and his recent inactivity (1 fight in 23 months) doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies.  Neither does the news from a well-placed source that getting down to featherweight territory has become a challenge for Litzau.  Little brother Jason Litzau hopes to get back into the habit of winning more than a year after his last bout, an eighth-round knockout loss to world champion Robert Guerrero.  Phillip Payne may not be a soft touch, but he has lost nine straight bouts.  What can we say in praise of Payne?  Well, he’s been losing to a pretty good class of opponents and he hasn’t been knocked out in his last four appearances.  Hard charging Matt Vanda takes on North Dakota’s Tocker Pudwill, who lugs an impressive record and an accomplished pro career behind him as he re-enters the ring following 18 months of inactivity at the age of 37.  Ceresso Fort of St Paul tries to follow his impressive March 28 win against Joshua Rodriguez with another one against Bobby Kliewer – his first-ever opponent with a winning record.  Phil Williams hopes to find an opponent to take the place of Reggie LaCrete, who was forced out of their planned meeting after suffering a broken jaw.  Exciting welterweights Jon Laboda and Patrick Cape make a compelling match.  Gifted small man Derek Winston makes his long-awaited pro debut against winless Alex Stringer.

Allen Litzau (13-3 with 7 kayos) -vs- Wilton Hilario  (10-0-1 with 8 kayos), super featherweights, scheduled for ten rounds, for the vacant IBA Americas super featherweight title

Matt Vanda (39-9 with 22 kayos) -vs- Tocker Pudwill (40-6 with 14 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for 8 rounds

Jason Litzau (23-2 with 19 kayos) -vs- Phillip Payne (16-22-1 with 8 kayos), featherweights, scheduled for 8 rounds

Ceresso Fort (5-0 with 5 kayos) -vs- Bobby Kliewer (9-7 with 4 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for 6 rounds

Phil Williams (10-1 with 9 kayos) -vs- TBA, light heavyweights, scheduled for 6 rounds

Don Tierney (0-0) -vs- David Duncan (0-1), light middleweights, scheduled for 4 rounds

Jon Laboda (4-0 with 3 kayos) -vs- Patrick Cape (5-4 with 3 kayos), welterweights, scheduled for 4 rounds

Derek Winston (0-0) -vs- Alex Stringer (0-3-1), super bantamweights, scheduled for 4 rounds