Minnesota Boxing News: Andy Kolle, Matt Vanda

"Kolle & Vanda: The Rematch"
Byline RAY KILGORE: Minnesotaboxing.com writer
March 29th, 2010

The April 2, 2010 fight between Andy Kolle and Matt Vanda would normally be a tough sell if it were most other fighters. Vanda comes off a January 29, 2010 defeat against Peter Manfredo Jr. (33-6 18 KOs) and he lost a unanimous decision to Kolle in November 2007.

In spite of, Kolle (20-2 15 KOs) and Vanda (42-10 22 KOs) bring flavor because of their histories.

The showdown is without a catchy title. Die-hard fans know what Kolle and Vanda bring. Should the average fan attend the card at the Hinckley Casino, they'll soon discover.

TV appearances, tattoos, drama, and trash talk all made Vanda a success both locally and nationally. His supporters came out like bees, while his naysayers found themselves surfing boxing sites, interested, because Vanda was a curiosity.

Vanda understands promotion although he told a reporter, "…I don't like doing press conferences. I'd rather be in the gym working out."

His antics helped draw over 9,000 fans to the Target Center in January 2007 when he lost to Anthony Bonsante (32-11-3 18 KOs).

Leading up to the Pill "The Drill" Williams (11-3 10 KOs) fight in November 2009, Vanda's alias was "The Predator." Yet, the way he lavished praise on Williams sounded as if the seek-and-destroy mentality of his namesake had been sentenced to death.

But, Vanda, the father of two, took a page from his former promoter "Sugar" Ray Leonard, using flamboyance, experience, and tenacity to earn a split decision win over Williams.

In 2006, Leonard told a reporter, "[Vanda's] not really a polished boxer but he has guts, determination, and a mentality that few fighters possess."

Leonard added, "He believes he's better than he is which is great. It means he's not afraid to fight anyone….he's someone who can attract a following."

Vanda isn't the only fighter drawing crowds to Friday night's rematch. Although Kolle is less dramatic, he also generates excitement.

After his sensational victory over Anthony Bonsante in March 2009 and a victory over Anthony Schuler three months later in Duluth, the fighter known as "Kaos" disappeared. Almost a year later, he resurfaced, in fashion, against Pat "The Cat" Coleman (29-15 with 20 KO's) in February 2010.

Kolle's absence between fights leads to widespread speculation about what he will do next in the ring.

Even if Kolle's style isn't "out there," he brings professionalism to the ring and it's difficult to root against him. At 27, he learned to box the hard way and refused to give up.

Kolle, raised in Fergus Falls, MN, took up boxing at age 13. His career goal was to work in the social services field, helping young people in need, and what better practice than to offer help to a childhood run away friend? The young man contacted Kolle and both found themselves at a boxing gym.

The problem: Kolle didn't actually expect to get beat up.

"I got my butt kicked…I figured I had to stay and learn long enough at least to beat that guy," he later told a writer.

Kolle stuck with boxing, his hard work evident when he lost a spirited sixth-round TKO to world titlist Andre Ward in a 2006 match aired on HBO.

Dan Goossen promotes both Ward and current world champion Paul Williams. Goossen liked the effort Kolle put forth in the fight against Ward, and chose the 6'2" Kolle as Williams' first fight in the middleweight division. Goossen said, "[Kolle] comes to fight. He'll put on a good show."

Kolle lost to Williams but has rebounded.

Now that his good friend Zach "Jungle Boy" Walters retired last year, Kolle is now the main attraction in Duluth.

On April 2, fans won't get ear bites, nervous breakdowns, or halfhearted performances. Fans will see a match between two men who love boxing, and who have an appreciation for a sport they perform with grace and pride.

Following Sources were cited thought the article:
APA: Duluth Boxer Andy Kolle | Duluth Superior Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.duluthsuperiormagazine.com/?p=853
APA: A colorful boxer; Matt (The Predator) Vanda came from St ...(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-112260324.html
APA: Q & A - Boxers Matt Vanda and Kenny Kost (n.d.)
Retrieved from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-163720350.

APA: Welterweight titlist Williams to fight middleweight Kolle ...(n.d.).

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