Upcoming Boxing Event: December 18th at Grand Casino Hinckley

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

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

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

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

Now consider these possibilities:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jeremy McLaurin Signs with Studer, MSC

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

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

McLaurin wasn’t immediately available to comment.

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

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

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

Truax and McLaurin Hit the Road

Local boxing prospects Caleb Truax (13-0 with 9 kayos) and Jeremy McLaurin (5-0 with 4 kayos) head to California this week to train among elite company.

Caleb Truax

Truax tells me that he’s looking forward to two things:  “In camp, Otis Griffin and Yusuf Mack are going to be there…it would be good to spar with Yusuf Mack.  I’ve seen him fight a few times.  Otis Griffin, too.  Both of those guys are bigger than me, so they might push me around a little bit.  But it should be a good opportunity.”  Then, “A couple of times during the week we’re going to go down to Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym [in Hollywood] to spar.  I don’t know who’s going to be there, but Roach has some guys there who have records about like mine or better.”  Indeed, Vanes Martirosyan (25-0), Craig McEwan (16-0), Peter Manfredo Jr (32-6), and Kingsley Ikeke (26-3) are just a few of the high-profile Truax-size fighters under Roach’s care.

Says McLaurin, “I’m going out the 20th and staying for a week or two.  I’m not sure how long I’ll be out there, but I’m going to make the most of the situation and come back and smash people.  Just to have the opportunity to be out there with big name, world-class fighters and train at a higher altitude, you have to strike while the iron is hot!”

Both fighters are expected to compete October 17 at the St Paul Armory, though their opponents have not yet been named.  The October 17 show is promoted by Tony Grygelko of Seconds Out Promotions.

Boxing Results: July 25 at the St Paul Armory

Results will be updated as reports become available.  Results are gathered from reliable sources but accuracy is not guaranteed – an effort will be made to verify these results as soon as possible.

• Caleb Truax (now 13-0 with 9 kayos) defeated Patrick Perez (now 25-7 with 14 kayos) by knockout in round 8 of 8 scheduled
• Brian Cohen (now 11-2 with 10 kayos) defeated Hector Ramirez (now 14-49 with 8 kayos) by TKO in round 2 of 8 scheduled
• Jeremy McLaurin (now 5-0 with 4 kayos) defeated-vs- Randy Ronchi (now 0-1) by knockout in round 1 of 4 scheduled
• Ed Perry (now 15-4 with 9 knockouts) defeated James Morrow (now 11-14 with 5 knockouts) by TKO in round 3 of 4 scheduled
• Ismail Muwendo (now 4-0 with 3 kayos) defeated Brandon Buckley (now 0-1) in round 1 of 4 scheduled
• Charles Meier (now 3-1 with 2 kayos) defeated Nathan Willkes (now 2-18 with 2 kayos) by knockout in round 4 of 4 scheduled

Upcoming Boxing Event: July 25 at the Saint Paul Armory

What to watch for: Caleb Truax fights an opponent with an impressively lopsided record for the first time in Anthony Perez of Indiana.  Last time in the ring Perez lost a majority decision to James McGirt Jr in six rounds.  Caviat: Perez has only fought three times in the last five years, all three fights ending in loss.  What would have been the highest-profile bout of the night has been reduced to an exhibition, as Mohammed Kayongo takes on Jamar “Young Prince” Patterson of New York.  Patterson’s management situation has been complicated in the past, but after fighting just once in nearly three years, he appears poised to restart his prizefighting career.  Jeremy McLaurin continues to accumulate wins and experience, his victim this time will be debutant Tyson Staples.  Willshaun Boxley looks to rebound from his surprising loss to Thomas Snow earlier this summer, his designated victim is Josh Holiday.  If you haven’t seen Ismail Muwendo fight yet, don’t miss this chance.  The young sharpshooter is worth the price of admission by himself.  And Charles Meier squares off against Nathan Willkes of Indiana, whose awful record conceals the fact that he has won in two of his last three contests, both wins coming by knockout.

Caleb Truax (12-0 with 8 kayos) -vs- Anthony Perez (25-6 with 14 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for eight rounds

Mohammed Kayongo (14-2 with 10 kayos) -vs- Jamar Patterson (8-0 with 4 kayos), welterweights, exhibition match, scheduled for eight rounds

Jeremy McLaurin (4-0 with 3 kayos) -vs- Tyson Staples (debut), lightweights, scheduled for four rounds

Willshaun Boxley (5-1 with 3 kayos) -vs- Josh Holiday (debut), featherweights, scheduled for four rounds

Ismail Muwendo (3-0 with 2 kayos) -vs- Brandon Buckey (debut), featherweights, scheduled for four rounds

Charles Meier (2-1 with 1 kayo) -vs- Nathan Willkes (2-17 with 2 kayos), middleweights, scheduled for four rounds

Public Workouts at Roberts Off Ten, July 11

Due to an inability to secure a ring doctor to work the July 11 fights at Roberts Off Ten in Mounds View, promoter Tony Grygelko has announced that the event is being changed from a professional boxing card with two fights and an exhibition, to a series of  six public sparring sessions featuring the following boxers:

• Willshuan Boxley –vs- Ismail Muwendo
• Jeremy McLaurin –vs- Ronnie Peterson
• Jon Schmidt –vs- Charles Meier
• Caleb Truax –vs- Mohammed Kayongo
• Joey Abell –vs- Jim Maurine
• Tony Grygelko –vs- Michael Faulk

Of his own matchup with new pro Michael Faulk, Grygelko says, “Mike’s one of only two guys that beat me twice in my boxing career…I just want to prove to the world that he can’t really handle the pressure and power that a fighter like myself brings!”  Grygelko compiled a record of 5-2 (3 kayos) as a pro fighter, his last fight a first-round knockout loss at the hands of undefeated prospect Henry Crawford in November 2005.

The Fistic Mystic says: This should be an interesting spectacle. If I were going to be in town I wouldn’t miss it!

Boxing Results: June 13 at Roberts Off Ten in Mounds View

Results will be posted here as they become available.  The Fistic Mystic can’t make it to this show, so initial reports will be second-hand.

Joey Abell (now 25-4 with 24 kayos) defeated Larry White (now 3-7 with 2 kayos) by KO in round 2 of 8 scheduled

Jon Schmidt (now 9-1 with 6 kayos) defeated Dan Copp (now 0-1) by TKO in round 2 of 6 scheduled

Rocky Graziano Jr (4-1 with 3 kayos) -vs- Quincy Miner (3-3 with no kayos), heavyweights, scheduled for 6 rounds – This fight evidently did not take place, though Quincy Miner did make the drive up from Kansas City.  Consequently, Miner still has not fought since suffering a separated shoulder against Brad Laffin in Sioux Falls last November.

Jeremy McLaurin (now 4-0 with 3 kayos) defeated Harold McLeod (now 0-2) by TKO between rounds 1 and 2 in a fight scheduled for 4

Charles Meier (now 2-1 with no kayos) defeated Ryan Stock (now 0-1) by TKO in round 3 of 4 scheduled

A couple of MMA bouts also came off, neither of which (I am told) lasted two minutes.

Quincy Miner Added to Saturday Show

Kansas City heavyweight Quincy Miner (3-3) has notified the Fistic Mystic that he will be fighting on Saturday night at Roberts Off Ten in Mounds View, against 4-1 (3 kayos) Rocky Graziano Jr, the 46-year old heavyweight from St Paul who is riding a streak of three straight first-round knockouts.

The show is scheduled to feature local heavyweight Joey Abell (24-4 with 23 knockouts) against Larry White (3-6), with Jon Schmidt, Vlad Ustimchuck Jr, Jeremy McLaurin, and Charles Meier also penciled in.

June 5 at Grand Casino: Shaping Up Nicely

The June 5 boxing card at Grand Casino Hinckley, for which tickets went on sale May 9, is filling out and taking a very comely appearance.

Contracts have been signed for all the announced fights, including Willshaun Boxley -vs- Thomas Snow, and another is currently in negotiations.  I won’t name names, but it’s going to be a well-known local fixture against an out-of-town name that’s become familiar to local boxing fans.

Though Joey Abell won’t be appearing on this card, promoter Tony Grygelko tells me that we can expect to see Abell in Minnesota in July, along with Caleb Truax and Mohammed Kayongo.