Our Prayers Are With Betz

(Photo Credit Rafael Soto, Top Rank/Zanfer, taken from Fightnews.com)
Matt "The Predator" Vanda gave Julio Chavez Jr. all he could handle for 10 rounds earlier tonight in Mexico, losing a controversial split decision. Vanda won the first round but Chavez had success in the rounds to follow, particularly with body shots.
Chavez's punches were deceiving as Vanda kept a tight guard and it became apparent that most of the shots were landing on the elbows and guard of the Saint Paul fighter.
As the bout passed the midway point, Vanda began to take over by pressuring and out flurrying his taller foe.
Both men were tired in the final rounds but it was Vanda that closed the fight out the stronger of the the two, winning the battle of wills. Chavez could barely stand from exhaustion and Vanda rocked him with a hard right in the final round but ran out of time to attempt to put Chavez on his seat.
Scores were 96-95 for Vanda, 97-93 for Chavez and an unbelievable 100-90 for Chavez. Following the bout, Vanda walked around the ring, hands raised and posing for photos as Chavez sat dejected on his stool. Fans booed their hometown hero and showered the ring with ice and bottles.
Vanda lost the fight on paper, but early fight reports and national boxing forums show support for Vanda's performance. Stay tuned for comments from Vanda. 7-13-08

Antonio Johnson informed MinnesotaBoxing.com that he is scheduled to fight on July 18th in Southern California. No opponent is set at this time. Fights falling out and injuries have kept the Saint Paul fighter out of action but Johnson says he feels that now is the time for him to breakout as a pro.
"Things have happened that have kept me out of the ring but I feel like everything is coming together. I want to help change the perception that Minnesotan's can't compete on a national level, because we can" said Johnson."
Johnson also stated that he wishes to be featured on upcoming Minnesota cards, particularly with Jason and Allen Litzau. 7-2-08

Minnesota middleweight champ Anthony Bonsante (31-9-3, 17 KO's) returned to action last month in Hinckley, MN. Bonsante looked sharp despite being out of action for nearly a year as he outclassed Illinois brawler Ted Muller.
Bonsante, 37, continues to refuse to act his own age as he defies onlookers by fighting with the same intensity and skill that he has displayed throughout his career.
Bonsante took the time to chat with MinnesotaBoxing.com about his performance against Muller. Bonsante also shared in detail his thoughts on rumors of a super fight showdown with Zach Walters and his interest in facing hot middleweight Andy Kolle... 7-1-08

Raphael Butler's chance to spring board into the national heavyweight picture has arrived. Butler (ranked #12 by the USBA), will square off against "Fast" Eddie Chambers tonight in the Cayman, Islands.
The bout was originally schedule to be the co-featured television fight on Showtime but that has been changed, as the bout with late addition Ronald Hearns vs Jose Luis Gonzalez has, for some reason been stuck in that spot instead. Keep your fingers crossed though because they "might" show highlight clips of the intriguing heavyweight showdown to fill in time (thanks). Butler seems in high spirits as he feels his preparations for this fight could not have been better. Butler revealed to MinnesotaBoxing.com readers last month that he sparred with James Toney among others for Chambers.
“I’m definitely ready to go Friday night" said Butler. "I’ve been working really hard for this fight. So I’ll be ready to go in there and fight my fight. If I fight my fight, it won’t matter what Eddie Chambers brings"
38 year old Troy "TNT" Lowry ( 27-8, 16 KO's) will face 34 year old Charles Whittaker (30-12-2, 18 KO's) in a bout that has flown under my radar until only days ago, is also on the same card. Neither man has been incredibly active over the last few years. It should be an interesting battle between two veteran pugilists.
Weigh-in Results are below...
Eddie Chambers 217 vs Raphael Butler 250
Charles Whitaker 156 vs Troy Lowry 156 6-20-08

Brad Patraw (right) stalks Brandon McKinney in the main event Friday night in Somerset, WI
Brad Patraw moved to (4-0, 3 KO's) as he stopped Brandon McKinney (0-1) in the main event Friday night at Mac Daddy's Bar in Somerset, WI. Patraw unleashed a barrage of unanswered head punches before the referee stopped the fight at 2:06 of the first round... 6-15-08

Minneapolis heavyweight Van Goodman (2-1, 1KO) will box at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN tomorrow night.
For his last fight, Goodman was set to face Boris Shishporenok in Rochester last April. Moments before the fighters were to be introduced, it was announced that Goodman was not allowed to compete by the medical staff.
Goodman took the time to talk about what happened that night, his bout tomorrow night and much more... 6-5-08

Antwan Robertson improved to (4-0) last weekend knocking out Tim Watts in round two. Robertson says he boxed and moved in the first round but opened up in round two.
"I knew I had him after landing a nice left hook then a straight right hand in the second round. I knew he was hurt after that."
Watts rose from that shot but was dropped shortly after with another right that ended the fight.
In other action Chris Holt and John McLean exchanged heavy artilarary for 6 rounds before the judges scored their fight a draw possibly setting up a third fight?
Patrick Cape lost a hard fought 4 rd unanimous decision to speedy Canadian Sebastien Hamel 6-3-08
Locals Fight in Canada this Saturday By Jesse Kelley
Three Minnesotan's will be boxing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Friday night. Chris Holt will battle Canadian John McLean in a scheduled six round bout however Holt says he doesn't plan on letting it go that long.
"I have been training hard, I am in great shape" said Holt. "I stopped McLean in his pro debut a few years back and I plan on doing the same thing again this time"
Accompanying Holt on the journey north of the border will be superfly weight Antwan Robertson and 21 year old Patrick Cape
Cape (4-1) of Little Canada, MN faces experienced southpaw Sebastien Hamel (7-13).
In his last bout, Cape made a name for himself by stopping brawler Jesse Barbot in 4 rds. "I had a lot of respect for Barbot going in to that fight" said Cape. "I knocked him down but he kept getting up, he showed his toughness. I am a little nervous going into this fight with Hamel because he is experienced but I will give 110% and see what happens.
"Lil Superman" Antwan Robertson (3-0) will move up two weight classes to battle Tim Watts (0-1). Robertson says he doesn't know much about Watts but plans to put his boxing skills on full display. 5-29-08

Golden Caleb Truax will face experienced world traveler James Crayton tonight at the St. Paul Armory. Most would think a veteran of close to 60 fights might be too much for an up and coming prospect, but don't tell that to Truax.
"This is a fight my management was planning for two or three fights down the road" said Truax. "I had six opponents fall out on me for this fight so we said let's just get Crayton now. I am excited about fighting Crayton because he is a good boxer. Most of the guys I have fought so far have been brawlers. I will finally get a chance to use my boxing skills to beat a boxer."
Truax is coming off of two grueling fights with Jefferey Osborne. Truax won a hard fought four round decision in their first meeting and dominated Osborne in the second.
"The first fight was a little tougher because everybody was telling me how tough of a fighter he was. I sat back and boxed with him more and some fans thought it was a boring fight. The second time out I went right after him. I hit him harder then Iv'e ever hit anyone in that fight. He looked like he was out of there a few times but he kept coming. If I had a few more seconds I think I would have had him out of there in the last round."
Truax vs Crayton and the rest of the bouts tonight can be seen live by
5-17-08

Kenny Kost (14-4, 6 KO's) lost a unanimous decision to Hector Camacho Jr. (45-3-1, 25 KO's) Saturday night in Mexico. After a good first round, the next two made for an unexpected start as he was put down in the second and took a knee in the third from a body shot.
"The plan was to go to Camacho's body early and take him into the later rounds" said Kost. "It took me a few rounds to recover and get back on track though, especially from the body shot."
Kost did battle back but also learned early that any body shots that he threw were only going to hit Camacho's projector as they were pulled up to his breasts.
Kost showed his toughness and The PPV broadcast announcers gave Kost credit for continuing to look to trade with Camacho. Camacho showed good speed at times despite his recent ring activity.
Chants for Kost could be heard from the crowd late and they began to cheer for the underdog from Minnesotan as he tried to press Camacho.
Kost started to find his rhythm in the seventh and eighth rounds however confusion ensued after what turned out to be the final round of the fight.
"I could tell Camacho was getting tired (in the eighth). I thought I had two more rounds to try to wear him out but I guess they decided to change the number of rounds without telling us" said Kost. "The contract said 10 rounds, the bout sheets said 10, so we were given no reason to think it was only 8 rounds. I would have tried to take him out if I knew that would be it. In the end Camacho walked away with a unanimous decision by scores of 78-74, 79-71, 79-71. Kost suffered no serious injury's and says that he hopes to be back in the ring as soon as possible. 4-28-08

"KO" Kenny Kost (14-3, 6 KO's) revealed moments ago that he will be facing Hector Camacho Jr. (44-3-1, 25 KO's) in Mexico this Saturday night on Top Ranks Pay Per View card in Queretaro, Mexico. Kost says that the fight was offered to him last week on short notice although he has been in the gym training since his win over Jorge Gonzalez on March 28th in Saint Paul. The ten round bout will be a supporting bout to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (33-0-1 26 KOs) vs Giuseppe Loriga (24-0-1 6 KOs). Kost says that if he beats Camacho, he will most likely get a shot at Chavez Jr.
Kost vs Camacho Jr. will be at a weight of 163 pounds. However, keep an eye on Camacho's weight as he has weighed in an average of almost 8 pounds over his last four opponents.
If you are unable to order the fight through PPV, The Stadium in White Bear Lake will be showing the fight live. 4-21-08

"Hoggman" John Sargent (28-5, 17ko's) stopped Canadian Ritchie Goosehead (7-21, 3ko's) by way of 5th round knockout in the main event at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN. Sargent was said to look light on his feet and sharp as he picked Goosehead apart.
• Chris "The Chameleon","Cowboy", "Lightning Bolt", "The Hammer", "The Incredible" Holt (14-9, 9ko's) knocked out Tony Ault (10-23-2, 8ko's) in round four.
• Jake Betz (1-2, 1ko) stopped Dion Sgro (1-2, 0ko's) in the second round of a heavyweight bout.
• Patrick Cape (4-0, 1ko's) made a statement by knocking out tough brawler Jesse Barbot (4-3, 3ko's) with seconds to go in the fourth round. Cape wobbled Barbot in the first and dropped him in the second. Knowing he was down on the cards, Barbot charged across the ring at the end of the fourth attempting to decapitate Cape. However, Cape timed a left hook perfectly putting Barbot out cold.
• Tyler Gould (5-2, 5ko's) scored a 3rd round knockout over Mike Davis(0-3). Davis rocked Gould early but Gould had his way in round three.
• Nick Whiting (0-8-1) and Ben Lane (4-1-1, 4ko's) fought a give and take war which ended in a draw. Each fighter was up on the cards 39-37 while the third judge saw it even 38-38. Word is the rematch between the two has already been agreed upon.
• John Hoffman (11-20, 3ko's) returned to the win column scoring a unanimous 4 round decision over Daniel Schlienz (6-13, 3ko's) 4-12-08

Kost Wins By DQ in Thriller By Jesse Kelley - Photos Rich Peterson

Litzau Shows Toughness in Loss

By Ray Kilgore: Jason Litzau goes from an easygoing Bill Bixby to an evil Incredible Hulk within a matter of seconds in the ring. His “before- your-eyes" metamorphos is titillating for the average fan, but a migraine for his die hard followers.
This Friday on ShoBox The Next Generation, Litzau, 23-1- (19 KO’s), faces Robert Guerrero, 21-1-1 (14 KOs) for Guerrero’s IBF title.
But unlike most challengers, Litzau’s stiffest feat is how to control his emotions so that he can give himself the best chance of seizing the crown... 2-26-08

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2008 FIGHT SCHEDULE

MMA HEADLINES

Minnesotan's Brock Lesnar, Roger Huerta headline UFC 87 Aug 9th at the Target Center! >>> CLICK HERE
7-24-08

Nick "The Goat" Thompson to fight on CBS this Sat!
>>> CLICK HERE 7-24-08

May 3rd Warriors Fight Night Results >>> CLICK HERE

Max Fights 3 Results Now Up!
To Check out Results ("Fight Card" link,) Max Fights New Radio show and more >>> CLICK HERE

One-on-One with Joey Clark
RevWrestling.com Interview >>>READ MORE 4-22-08

Max Fights 3 hits Fargo on April 26
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