Minnesota Boxing News: Ray Edwards Boxing

EDWARDS HAS LOCAL HEAVYWEIGHTS KNOCKING
April 15th, 2011
By Jesse Kelley

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards will make his professional boxing debut on May 20th at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN.
Despite having no prior boxing experience, pro or amateur, Edwards has National media outlets buzzing in anticipation for the soon to be prize fighter to step off the gridiron and through the ropes. Espn and Sports Illustrated are among those joining in the conversation. Edwards told Minnesotaboxing.com before the start of last years football season that he is not worried about the lack of ring experience because of the advantage his athletic background should bring.

"I watched a lot of boxing growing up. As a kid it was always something I wanted to do but I was never able to find a gym where I grew up. I really got into boxing a few years ago after meeting my boxing trainer Jeff Warner. Jeff is a Pastor but was also a boxer. I know I don't have any fights under my belt but I have done pretty well in sparring. I have been getting a lot of sparring in and feel like I am ready to box professionally. I feel like my football has allowed me to progress faster then normal as a boxer and I also feel like the boxing training will pay off on the football field as well."

News of Edwards giving pro boxing a shot first broke after Sports Illustrated chronicled his time spent with famous boxing trainer Emanual Stewart. The former Purdue football standout discussed with us some of the things he picked up from Stewart.

"You know, he really showed me the basics. Footwork, and the small things that you can use to break down your opponent. Footwork and balance were the main things though. Balance was big and he said he was really impressed with my balance. The 1-2 punching, how to throw the uppercut off the jab. He just broke down the finer points for me and I really practiced everything he had taught me."

Edwards says his dream of one day boxing became more and more of a reality as talks of an NFL lockout for this season started spreading last year. With Warner by his side, Edwards will now put his boxing skills to the test in the four round headliner when May 20th rolls around. The news has not gone unnoticed by local Minnesota heavyweights either. Minnesotaboxing.com has received "call outs" from local boxers looking to welcome Edwards to the sport. But none have been more vocal then well known local amateur boxer and now pro Van Goodman. Goodman (2-2-1) turned pro in 2006 but blew out his ACL following his last fight in 2008 which in part, has kept him sidelined ever since. It was obvious that Goodman didn't think too highly of Edwards as he talked about a potential showdown.

"I would love to welcome that football player to pro boxing" said Goodman. "He will learn this isn't like football, it's about brains, not brawn. This is the sweet science. I know I have the experience and the know how to pick him apart. It's a perfect fight for me to get back in the ring following my ACL reconstruction. I'm not a big buff guy but I will definitely get the win against Ray Edwards. Boxing is a chess game and I am a masterful boxer. The boxer with the best technique always hits harder then an athlete who hasn't had his chin tested. Ray Edwards says he is not afraid to step in the ring. Well here I am, come get it. He and his trainer talk a big game and now it's time for him to get in the ring and back it up."

Goodman says he received a contract to fight Edwards on May 20th which he signed and says he is told Edwards wants the fight as well.

Edwards admitted that he didn't know a whole lot about the Minnesota boxing scene or the fighters from our state but says he respects anybody willing to step in the ropes. He spent a day working with Pete Daskiewitz last year where he first heard about Aaron Green, who recently turned pro and is trained by Daskiewitz.

"I am not too familiar with all of the local fighters but I hope to keep changing that here real soon. I know about Aaron Green and I hear he is a good heavyweight out of the Uppercut Gym. I believe he made it to the Nationals this past summer. I am open to fighting anybody though. I know that we are all in the same division so I might have to see him in the ring down the road!"

Green gave the impression that he was holding back a little more then Goodman when asked for his thoughts on a possible match with Edwards but says it is a fight he would welcome.

"I think that if he wants to fight, he should. It takes a special person to get in the ring knowing there is a risk of getting physically hurt or their pride hurt. As far as fighting Ray, It is definitely a possibility but I am not an amateur anymore and it is a business of money and timing. That being said, if my team says your going to fight Ray, then that is who I need to get prepared for."

As of now, nothing is officially set other then the fact that football prospect Ray Edwards will fight professionally on May 20th in the Grand Casino boxing ring. We will soon get to see who the confident athlete chooses as his first opponent. Edwards has said that he is looking for somebody that will test him and somebody that is not going to rollover. Edwards already has to be commended for his willingness to step up to a brutal sport with the little experience he has gained through sparring sessions. But if Ray sticks true to his word and takes on an experienced guy like Van Goodman, Aaron Green, Matt Anderson or any of the other local experienced fighters wanting a crack at him, he will have won in my opinion in the end, hand raised or not.

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