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Boxing News, Events, Results, and Historical Perspective
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Abell avenges defeat from years ago, Alfaro proves ready for future
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2010, Mark Connor
Armory, St. Paul, MN, Saturday, July 17
Tonight southpaw Joey Abell fought an excellent fight, dominating the first three rounds behind a strong right jab with a punishing straight left hand that found its mark down the middle on nemesis Arron Lyons, who handed him his first loss back in December 2006. As he continued his strong start at the beginnig of the second round he eventually began landing left hand-right hook combinations, along with the right uppercut to the body followed by the hook to the head. By the end of the third round he was landing more uppercuts and hooks in combinations with more measured power, and in the fourth round he opened a vicious cut over Lyon's left eye, prompting referee Mark Nelson to consult Dr. Sheldon Siegal, under whose advice Nelson stopped the scheduled 10 round fight.
In the semi-main event Vicente Alfaro of Hastings, MN defeated St. Paul's Brad Patraw with a second round TKO. Alfaro opened the fight by outjabbing Patraw and backing him up, using great head movement and landing punishing hooks and body blows while throwing an occasional hard right hand. In the second Alfaro's right hand found the mark and his relentless combinations dropped Patraw twice before the finishing flurry caused referee Gary Meezwa to stop the fight. Alfaro looked exceptionally good in this fight, showing he has great potential to rapidly advance in his career.
Weigh-ins complete, competitive fights set for Saturday night at St. Paul Armory
Joey Abell weighed in at 245 pounds for tommorow night's rematch with his nemesis, Arron Lyons, who tipped the scale at 238. Vincente Alfaro and Brad Patraw each weighed 119 1/2 pounds for a match with such competitve promise it's too hard to predict a winner. Frank Quinn, who's returning to the ring for the first time since 1997, weighed 184, while the battle worn yet rough and aggressive Marty "Wolfman" Lindquist weighed 183 for their Cruiserweight match. José Hilario weighed 128 1/2 pounds for his fight against Matthew Borgan, who weighed 130. Bobby Butters, Jr. came in at 168 pounds for his professional debut against Travis Perzynski, who weighed 164. Gavin Quin weighed 149 for his professional debut against Ryan Stock, who'd not weighed in as of 7 P.M. Check here for coverage and results.
Abell seeks Revenge, Minnesota favorites fight in St. Paul at the Armory
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2010, Mark Connor
This Saturday night
Minnesota heavyweight Joey Abell seeks to avenge his first loss with a rematch against Arron Lyons, of
Las Cruces,
NM. Abell was 9-0 when he lost to
Lyons more than four and a half years ago, on
December 1, 2006, via 1st round TKO in
Philadelphia,
PA. Since that time Abell has compiled a record of 26-4 with 25
KOs.
Lyons, on the other hand, has not been either as active or as successful, entering this fight with a record of 11 wins and 8 losses, including 8
KOs. According to www.boxrec.com,
Lyon’s is rated internationally at 211 out of 1100 heavyweights, while Abell is rated 106. Abell continues to build his career and is expected to fight in
Uganda on August 28, but Saturday, July 17 is the important date for now because it is his opportunity to avenge earlier disappointment with a performance in front of a
Minnesota crowd at the St. Paul Armory.
 
Also on the card in a Cruiserweight match is Marty Lindquist, less than a month shy of his 41st birthday, fighting against Frank Quin, roughly two months shy of his 40th birthday. Lindquist, 13-8 with 10
KOs, is trying to break a four fight losing streak, including a 3rd round KO loss to
Wisconsin’s Harley Kilfian in
Maplewood in his last fight
on
April 4, 2009. Quin is 6-0, 4
KOs, but his last fight was a 6 round decision win over a 10-53-1 Richard
Wilson on
June 8, 1997. It will be very interesting to see how Quin looks in this comeback fight, as well as to see
if Linquist, known as the “Wolfman” in the 1990s, has anything left. Both fighters enjoy popularity in
Minnesota,
and particularly in the Twin Cities. And the night will be very special (and probably nerve-wracking) for Quin,
because his son, Gavin Quin, will be making his professional debut.
Lightweight Jeremy McLaurin, 7-1, 5
KOs, is determined to bounce back from his first loss in April with a fight against a slower yet very strong and tough David Laque,
2-5-1, 2KOs.
This card is also being covered extensively on www.minnesotaboxing.com.
Truax defeats Veteran Echols to top Entertaining Seconds Out Card in St. Paul
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2010, Mark Connor
Minnesota’s Caleb Truax took another significant step in his undefeated career Friday night with a unanimous decision over veteran middleweight Antwun Echols of
Davenport,
Iowa. The fight appeared close throughout, with Truax establishing dominance in the beginning but seeming to fade as the rounds passed. Echol’s persistent body shots on the inside appeared to take their toll, but just when he seemed to cede too much control in any given round Truax would score a significant flurry to turn the tide. The Boxers and Writers Magazine view of this fight is that it was much closer than the judges saw it, but Truax did deserve the unanimous decision. He turned on the pressure in the final rounds, particularly dominating the last two. Echols gave him the challenge that is to be expected from such an accomplished veteran Middleweight and Super Middleweight who has TKO victories over skilled fighters like Charles Brewer and once went the distance with the legendary Bernard Hopkins.
Cotto Proves Prowess, Foreman Braves Punishment till Inevitable End
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2010, Mark Connor
On Saturday night, June 5, Miguel Cotto proved that those dismissing him from top level professional boxing were wrong. Becoming a World Champion once again, he took the World Boxing Association (WBA) 154 pound Light Middleweight title with a 9th round TKO of Yuri Foreman. It seemed Foreman was on his way to being stopped if not knocked out in the 8th round when he dropped to the canvas, his right leg giving out from under him while he tried to dance in that direction off the ropes away from Cotto’s attack. Apparently Foreman had an old injury, as was outwardly visible from the support brace fastened around his right knee, and it was aggravated in the middle of competition. From the look in Foreman’s eyes, however, he appeared psychologically defeated a round or two earlier.
Cotto established dominance from the first jab he landed on Foreman in the first round, almost dropping him while driving him into the ropes. Foreman’s chances of lasting the distance seemed to decrease by the moment from that point on, with Cotto continuing to smash Foreman with solid jabs, cut him off with smooth, fast footwork, and land increasingly frequent left uppercuts to the liver and head. Referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. was within his authoritative rights to refuse to stop the fight when a towel was thrown in during the 8th round because it was apparently not an authorized forfeiture from the lead in Foreman’s corner, and the corner lead is required to indicate forfeiture by other means. However, it would have made sense to end the fight at that time rather than allowing Foreman to possibly suffer serious injury.
Cotto’s dominance in this fight fulfilled the Boxers and Writers Magazine prediction, but the overwhelming degree of his success also indicates that the prediction should have been stronger. The moral victory on Foreman’s part is the obvious determination he showed, exhibiting the kind of toughness that got him this far in his career. Cotto will have a tough road ahead of him against the top Junior Middleweights, but he will be competitive and entertaining against any and all he battles in the future.
Gleason's Gym Companions pick Foreman, Boxers and Writers Magazine leans guardedly towards Cotto
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2010, Mark Connor
It’s almost 8 P.M. Central , or 9 P.M. Eastern on Saturday, June 5, 2010, which means in a little over an hour the HBO broadcast of Yuri Foreman’s World Boxing Association Light Middleweight title defense against former World Boxing Organization Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto begins at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. I was able to interview a fellow literary pugilist—poet David Lawrence who trains boxers at Gleason’s gym and briefly fought professionally many years ago—about the fight. I also communicated with a member of Gleason’s Gym’s White Collar Boxing community, Administrative Law Judge Phil Maier, about the fight. It’s interesting to get a perspective from the two of them, because Foreman trains at Gleason’s. Both Lawrence and Maier pick Foreman to win, believing Cotto is shot from his brutal loss to Antonio Margarito in 2007, followed by his grueling split decision victory over Joshua Clottey and his tortuous loss to Manny Pacquiao last year. Both believe Foreman, who is slick and elusive, will be too fast and defensively sharp for Cotto to handle.
Lawrence specified that Foreman can’t knock Cotto out, which makes sense because Foreman has only knocked out 8 of his 28 opponents in an undefeated career. Cotto is known for his knockout power, having stopped 27 of 32 opponents he’s defeated, losing only twice with both losses coming against two of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. I write this story now in order to go on record with what I believe to be an educated prediction before the fight occurs.
I believe Lawrence and Maier are underestimating Cotto. Looking back at Foreman’s climb to the WBA title, I have to say it’s been an admirable effort. He boxed circles around Daniel Santos last November to take the title from him with a 12 round unanimous decision. But after
Santos won the title in October 2007, he defended it only once, in July 2008, before fighting again a year and a half later when he lost to Foreman. Cotto may have endured a lot of punishment in the last two years, but he is still a top fighter, and, in spite of his disadvantage in reach—Foreman is listed as 5’-11’’ and Cotto is listed as 5’-7’’—he has exceptional boxing skills. He jabs well, is able to wear opponents down with body shots, and puts together killer combinations including accurately placed uppercuts and hooks. He also effectively switches from an orthodox to a southpaw stance. If he successfully does these things Foreman will be in trouble. Also, in past fights Foreman’s eyes have been dangerously cut and bruised. In fact, when Foreman won the North American Boxing Federation Junior Middleweight title with a split decision over Andrey Tsurkan in December, 2007, I thought he lost. Having said that, though, it has to be noted that Cotto’s eyes have recently shown a tendency to puff up, and Pacquiao proved that he can be controlled with a good stiff jab and fast combinations. Cotto will definitely need to maintain a determined concentration throughout the fight and cut the distance Foreman attempts to establish from the opening bell, but it’s not as unlikely as some may believe. The odds I’ve seen have Cotto slightly favored, but it’s fair to say it’s an even match. My prediction is that Cotto will win, although Foreman certainly has the ability to pull it off.
Pacquiao prevailed as predicted, dominating a strong but hapless Clottey
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Conno
As predicted by Boxers and Writers Magazine, Manny Pacquiao prevailed in his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight Championship title defense against challenger Joshua Clottey on March 13. His latteral movement and excessive speed and power proved too much for Clottey, but he was unable to put him away. Clottey seemed to be planning to mount a major attack throughout the bout, but his constant procrastination and Pacquiao's relentless pressure prevented its manifestation. Clottey did land occasional punches, particularly well timed uppercuts, that occasionally stopped Pacquiao in his tracks, but never in a devestating manner. Pacquiao always adjusted immediately and neutralized the effectiveness of Clottey's efforts, winning every round on one judge's score card and 11 out of 12 rounds on those of the other two. This is another successful prediction from Boxers and Writers Magazine, but the next epic Welterweight title fight, the defense of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championship by Shane Mosley against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is a tougher call to make. It will take some examination of past fights to make a prediction before the contest, scheduled for Saturday, May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, NV. It would be unwise to presume Mayweather will have no problem getting by Mosley, who is arguably the most talented fighter he has ever faced, and it is also foolish to dismiss Mosley because of age. But if Mayweather can get by him, Mosley does serve as the perfect preparation fight for Mayweather in preparation for Pacquiao. Of course Pacquiao has said he's ready and willing to fight either of them.
As far as the fight scheduled for tonight, Saturday, April 3 between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones, Jr. at Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, look for Hopkins to win.
Clottey will significantly challenge tonight, but Pacquiao will prevail
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
Like most in the boxing world I am greatly anticipating the match up for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight Championship of the World between Champion Manny Pacquiao and Challenger Joshua Clottey. I've watched the 24/7 program on HBO and my notion that Pacquiao will be too much for Clottey has been reinforced. I do believe it will be an entertaining fight, however, and expect Clottey to make the match significantly competitive.
In watching the clips of the fighters training I've noticed a tendency for Clottey to become vulnerable while punching. He squares up a bit more than Pacquiao does on occasion. I believe Pacquiao will be able to capitalize on Clottey's openings at key moments and get him in trouble. The straight left hand and the right uppercut and right hook to the body and head will be the weapons Pacquiao uses, landing them in speedy, powerful combinations. He will jab well too, and in spite of Clottey's reach advantage, Pacquiao will neutralize the difference by out jabbing him and out maneuvering him the way he did in his last fight against Miguel Cotto.
On the program Freddie Roach said that in studying Clottey he's become confident Pacquiao will overwhelm him. Clottey is a linear fighter, Roach says, and will not be able to handle Pacquiao's arsenal. I agree because Pacquiao's foot movement is so superior to Clottey's, and Pacquiao is able to capitalize powerfully from every angle when he utilizes that element of his boxing talent. Clottey is a tough, strong man and also an excellent boxer, so I believe he will catch Pacquiao on occasion and make him earn the victory, but Pacquiao will defeat him and may even be able to knock him out. Of course I can't be certain of when and how the fight will end, but I will say now that I expect Pacquiao to be declared the victor sometime after the beginning of round 8. There's a strong possibility Clottey can last 12, but I don't believe he'll win.
Abell disqualified for late punch knockout, Walters defeated in 56 seconds
[Update/Note: The result of this bout has been offically changed from Disqualification to a No Contest. More coverage is forthcoming]
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
From the simply unexpected to the downright bizarre, Friday night’s fights at the Target Center ranged from intense excitement to anticlimactic letdown, with undercard matches outshining the features and each co-main event ending in less than two rounds.
Raphael Butler appeared to be in command of the Minnesota Heavyweight Championship fight against Joey Abell as the final 30 seconds of the first round approached. He’d been landing good combinations and winning exchanges, picking apart the southpaw Abell with jabs, hooks, right hands and body shots. He was moving well and slipping well and seemed to be establishing the kind of rhythm that propels a fighter to victory. But then suddenly Abell hit him with a solid straight left hand that seriously stunned him, and then he punched some more and knocked him down. As Butler got up he did what was necessary to survive the round and the bell rang. It clearly rang. There was no mistaking it. Then, as Butler put his hands down and was ready to return to his corner, Abell through the left again, knocking Butler out. Thereafter a melee occurred when Butler’s trainer, Dan O’Connor, ran into the ring and over to Abell, attacking him, at which time Abell’s corner attempted to protect him. When the incident had calmed down just a bit Abell went to Butler’s corner to tell O’Connor he wasn’t aware the round was over when he threw his last punch. After Butler was revived and had been awarded the victory, he was given the microphone and tried to tell the crowd Abell would get a rematch, but he could barely be heard over the boos.
In the co-main event Zack Walters of Duluth, MN was overwhelmed by Larry Sharpe of Pine Falls, Manitoba, Canada, who dropped him twice to win by knockout at 56 seconds of the 1st round. Sharpe improved to 24-4, 13 KOs, and when interviewed after the fight he announced to a round a boos from the Twin Cities crowd that he now wants to fight Matt Vanda.
“I’d been campaigning as a Junior Middleweight,” he said, “and I didn’t belong there. I’m a natural Super Middleweight.”
Results Below
Featherweight, 126 lbs (contractually agreed 129 lbs, + or - 1)—Tomi Archambault, 130, W, TKO 2 over Ronnie Peterson, 127. Peterson was in control of first, tired in second, and retired on stool because of injured shoulder. Archambault improves to 1-1, 0, 1 KO, Peterson falls to 3-1-0, 3 KOs.
Lightweights, 135 lbs.—Gary Eyer, Duluth, MN, 133 ½ W, Unanimous Dec. over Levi Cortes, 136, St. Paul, MN. Crowd favorite Eyer won after scoring one punch knockdowns in 3rd and 5th, but took more punches than landing throughout the fight. Boxers and Writers Magazine disagrees with decision, but style analysis and explanation is forthcoming. Eyer now 7-0-1, 5 KOs, Cortes 3-1, 2 KOs
A special thanks for support from Bill Bisanz at:
Elite Destination Homes
1.866.650.4334
Junior Middleweights/Super Welterweights, 154 lbs.—David Peterson, Mounds View, MN, W, TKO 4, over Silas Ortley, North Dakota. Peterson pounded Ortley’s soft body for three and a half rounds, the North Dakotan falling to canvas. Peterson was open and vulnerable throughout but Ortley not skilled or conditioned enough to capitalize. Peterson now 12-0,7 KOs, Ortley 4-8, 3KOs
Lightweights, 135 lbs.—Tony Lee, St. Paul, MN W, UD over Hector Orozco, Hopkins, MN. International Golden Gloves Champion Lee was fast and strong in pro debut, while Orozco proved tough and determined in dropping to 1-4. Orozco needs to improve on lesser skilled opponents, while Lee is the most promising prospect to appear on this particular card. Stylistic analysis will be forthcoming.
Heavyweights—Boris Shishporenok, Blaine, MN W KO 2 over Will Gillette, Rapid City, SD, now 0-1. A brief analysis is forthcoming.
Junior Middleweights, 154 lbs.—Saverino Garcia, Jr., St. Paul, MN W UD over Jacob Dobbe, Minneapolis, MN. Garcia picked up first win, improving to 1-0-1 with a clear victory in a competitive fight in which Dobbe showed a lot of heart and potential. Analysis forthcoming.
Abell and Butler both lighter as tonight's card is set
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
Joey Abell weighed in at 241 pounds last night at the
Target
Center for his Minnesota State Heavyweight Championship fight against Raphael Butler, who weighed 259. While Abell, who reported he was training hard and would be superbly prepared for this fight, is four pounds lighter than in his last one,
Butler arrived at a full 20 pounds lighter than he was for his easy 2nd round knockout of Marcus Rhode on September 12. Whether he's trimmed down enough and prepared for the long haul against Abell remains to be seen, but his contention that he was training hard appears to be accurate. Still, from outward appearances he looks like he could use more conditioning to augment his high level of skill, and while conventional wisdom would give him the nod endurance will be a question if the bout goes beyond round 5.
For the semi-main event, Zach Walters weighed in at 169 pounds and his opponent, Larry Sharpe, weighed 170.
For the undercard:
Ronnie Peterson 127, Tomi Archambault 130 (Archambault originally weighed 133, sweating down to make the contractual 129, + or - a pound limit)
Gary Eyer, 133 1/2, Levi Cortes, 136
David Peterson, 157, Silas Ortley, 158
Tony Lee, 135, Hector Orozco, 135
Boris Shishporenok, 280, Will Gillette, 232
Severino Garcia, Jr. 155, Jacob Dobbe, 154
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Elite Destination Homes
1.866.650.4334
Abell plans adjustments,
Butler stands on skill
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
Raphael “the Silencer” Butler, 35-8-0, 28 KOs, and Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell, 25-4-0, 24 KOs, have been training hard for their scheduled Minnesota Heavyweight Championship match this Friday, December 4. As they wind up training and ready for the
6 o’clock weigh-ins at the
Target
Center this Thursday night, it makes sense to evaluate their styles and histories, examine their statements about the fight, and come to a conclusion about the possible results.
Click here to read more.
Truax Shatters Hope, Kayongo Tops Todd
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
Caleb Truax shut down a brave bid by Kerry Hope of Wales to break his winning streak for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International Super Middleweight title at the St. Paul Armory last Friday night, November 20, while Mohammed Kayongo may have resurrected his career with a 4th round knockout of Welshman James Todd for the WBF Intercontinental Welterweight title. Although the Truax-Hope contest was much more competitive, both victors were dominant throughout their respective contests.
Click here to read more
Hope Optomistic Against Truax
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
Welshman Kerry Hope, 12-2, 1 KO, weighed in at Brits Pub in
Minneapolis last night at 168 pounds for his fight tonight against Osseo’s Caleb Truax, 13-0, 9
KOs at the St. Paul Armory for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International Super Middleweight title. Truax also weighed 168 pounds.
Vanda dominates as Hilario pushes through in
Hinckley
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
Matt Vanda dominated his Super Middleweight fight against Phil Williams last Friday, November 13, at the Grand Casino in
Hinckley,
MN. From the opening bell Williams appeared hesitant as Vanda found his range, out jabbed his taller and heavier opponent, and landed just enough punches at critical stages of each round to win the majority of them in a convincing fashion. In the co-main event
IBA Americas Super Featherweight Champion Wilton Hilario, of
St. Louis Park,
MN won a unanimous decision over Leon Bobo of
St. Louis,
MO. While Hilario began the fight explosively his momentum was shut down and all possibilities of a knockout were prevented by the highly skilled Bobo, who with a record falling to
18-4-1 proved too weak to effectively fight Hilario but too experienced to suffer serious damage or be knocked out. There were four preliminary fights on the card.
Click here to read more.
Uppercut’s Saturday Night Fights Features Developing Talent
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright Mark Connor, 2009
The highlights of the amateur boxing card on Saturday, October 10 at the Uppercut Gym in Minneapolis came from one of the club’s beginning boxers and another who is more seasoned. While a debuting Tim Tu, 155 lbs., walked across the ring and landed a solid right hand on the chin of an unsuspecting Brian Karanez of Anoka to score an opening round knockdown, capitalizing on the early surprise to win when the referee stopped the contest a short time later, Gizzy Hobbs, 145 lbs., showcased superior footwork and head movement in a bout against a taller and very determined Roberto Mendoza of Canada.
Figeuroa Settles for Technical Decision after Desperate Orozco Lands Headbutt in West St. Paul
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright Mark Connor, 2009
The main event on the card of preliminary fighters promoted by Fernando Ortiz on October 3 at the Armory in the city of West St. Paul, MN lasted through an entertaining three rounds before a victorious Danny Figueroa (now 3-0-0, 2 KOs) was forced to accept a unanimous technical decision after being cut over the left eye from a head butt by a desperate Hector Orozco (now 1-3). Figeuroa’s performance warrants a chance for a preliminary fight at a bigger venue in the near future, and the other contests on the card made up for a lack of collective experience and polish with competitive action.
Dunne Loses, Klitschko Wins
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright Mark Connor, 2009
Saturday, September 26, was a good day for me because I was able to watch two entertaining world championship professional boxing matches. The first was Bernard Dunne’s defense of the 122 pound WBA Super Bantamweight title against Poonsawat Kratingdaengym, and the second Vitali Kiltschko’s defense of the WBC Heavyweight Championship against Chris Arreola. Dunne lost his title to Kratingdaengym at the end of the third round in an action packed fight, and Klitschko successfully defended his title with a dominating performance putting him far ahead on the scorecards before Arreola’s corner refused to let him answer the 11th round bell at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Robert Brant Loses to Cuba's Gomez at World Amateur Championships in Milan, Italy
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright Mark Connor, 2009
Robert Brant of the White Bear Lake Boxing Club carried the flag for the U.S. team at the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Chapmpionships in Milan, Italy, which took place September 1 through September 12. After receiving a bye in the tournament's opening round, Brant lost a decision to Cuba's José Larduet Gomez. Brant is guided locally by the same trainer who taught me to box as a boy and guided me to national tournaments, 89-year-old Emmett Yanez, who was awarded this year's Harry Davis Memorial Award at the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves.
Ali Makes Irish-American Version of Hajj to Enis, County Clare
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright Mark Connor, 2009
On Tuesday, September 1, the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, visited his matrilineal Great Grandfather’s birthplace in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Like pilgrimages made by so many Irish-Americans over the last century, the trip enabled a descendant of Erin to spiritually and emotionally reconnect with an ancestral identity buried beneath the outward national expression that forgets the Diaspora experience of an immigrant past.
Sugar Ray Leonard talks to Boxers and Writers Magazine,
Recommends Book
By
Mark Connor
© Copyright Mark Connor, 2009
Sugar Ray Leonard was in Minneapolis for a celebrity roast of Scott LeDoux at the City Center Marriot to raise money for the charity Wishes and More on Sunday, May 3. Looking well, articulating himself eloquently, and politely and respectfully granting Boxers and Writers Magazine a quick interview before signing autographs, Leonard lived up to his legend as a classic American. (Read full story here)
Hilario Proves Boxers and Writers Prediction as Pudwill Shines
in Spite of Bad Decision
By Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
The two featured fights were the highlight of the night for the April 18 Card promoted by the Minnesota Sports Council at Target Center in Downtown Minneapolis. Wilton Hilario fulfilled the Boxers and Writers Magazine prediction that he’d win within five rounds, and Tocker Pudwill proved the need for a teacher’s union by schooling Matt Vanda throughout their 8 round bout only to be robbed by the hometown judges.
With the most energy and determination he’s so far shown in his career, Hilario pummeled Litzau into a fifth round stoppage during a slugfest for which Litzau was neither physically nor mentally prepared. For the first time in a twelve fight career, Hilario actually noticeably used the jab, albeit not enough, in the first round. Upon the first right hand he landed, Hilario followed through with hooks and uppercuts to Litzau’s body and head. The fight was still competitive, however, as the two stood toe to toe and Litzau landed some good clean shots of his own, particularly left hooks. But Litzau’s inability to handle the punishment unleashed by Hilario was evident from the beginning. It seemed a little early for referee Mark Nelson to stop the fight, preventing an exclamation point on Hilario’s answer to years of Litzau’s verbal abuse, but the fight was effectively over. Litzau was obviously ready to fall.
“It was a good stoppage,” said fight doctor Sheldon Siegel when I mentioned it at ringside. “That Mark Nelson, he’s really top notch.”
The fight was for the vacant International Boxing Association Americas Super featherweight Championship, and Hilario was presented with the belt immediately after the fight.
“This is my new girlfriend,” Hilario said of the belt while photographers snapped pictures of him with it in the ring. “This is my new girlfriend.”
Hilario climbs to a record of 11-0-1 with 9 knockouts, and Litzau falls to
13-4-0 with 7 knockouts and 3 knockout losses.
Tocker Pudwill showed himself to be the accomplished boxer his record of 40 wins against 6 losses signified entering into this fight. He out boxed Vanda from the start, landing clean jabs followed with solid combinations. Listed as 6 feet tall, he kept the shorter Vanda at bay and made him walk into punches in most exchanges. He did receive a few lumps from Vanda, but most punches did not land cleanly on him, and Vanda was reduced to tying up and wrestling whenever he got inside.
After dominating through the first four, Pudwill’s artistry was on display in the 5th as he hooked off the left jab twice while moving to the left, then stepped back to the right, turning over a right hand-left-hook-right hand combination. These types of exchanges did not hurt Vanda enough to wear him down and put him away, but they effectively neutralized any roughhousing tactics or brute power he might have otherwise employed. Pudwill did tire visibly in the 6th round, but a small cut over the corner of his right eye was skillfully stifled after the bell and he turned the engine back on in the 7th and 8th rounds, controlling the action to the end. Unfortunately, the judges arrived at an unjustifiable majority decision of 77-75, 77-75, 76-76 for Vanda.
Frank Stallone, Singers from Santana, Survivor, Toto feature at Scott
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LeDoux Concert to Fight ALS
by
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor |
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The Scott LeDoux Concert to fight ALS—Hope for a Cure-Help for Caregivers—will be held Friday, April 10, 2009 at Champions Event Center, Elko, MN. LeDoux recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with the degenerative illness, ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Click here to read more...
Litzau and Hilario Battle for IBA Belt
and
Vanda Features on April 18
by
Mark Connor
© Copyright 2009, Mark Connor
While the more widely known and accomplished Super Middleweight Matt “The Predator” Vanda of St. Paul is the featured attraction for the upcoming April 18 professional boxing card at the Minneapolis Target Center, the war of words between Featherweights Wilton “Pretty Warrior” Hilario and Alan “The American Boy” Litzau overshadowed most of the March 4 press conference that announced the event. Click here to read more...
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