Introducing Rob Brandt
By Jesse Kelley
December 30th, 2008

Most interviews I do to introduce a boxer to the MinnesotaBoxing.com readers each begin with a similar tone. He or she more times then not come from a family rich with boxing experience and tradition. They most likely began throwing punches with gloves on before having put shoes on to walk.
The story of Rob Brandt goes a little bit different. Brandt is the only boxer in his family, having started boxing at the age of 16. In just a year and a half of boxing, Brand has become one of the top under 19 amateurs in the United States.

"I was a real big fan of boxing when I was a kid" said Brandt when asked how he began boxing. " I used to watch all the Rocky movies and thought they were real (laughing). When I got my drivers license I came down to the White Bear Lake gym in July of 2007. I figured I would try it out. I ran into Emmett (Yanez) and Larry (Goodman). There was a bunch of people in there at the time so I was real nervous. So they brought me back to the gym office to sign up. They had these file cabinets full of registered people. I looked around and there was about 15 people in the gym. I went back the next day and haven't quit since."

Brandt, of Oakdale, MN began boxing competitively almost immediately after joining the boxing club. In that short time he has faced some of Minnesota's best fighters. Two bouts that stand out to Brandt were against Ceresso Fort and Ramando Papasadora.
In March of 2008, Brandt faced Fort in Fort's final amateur match before turning pro at Brunette's boxing gym in Saint Paul.

"I had the driest mouth before that fight because I was so nervous. But at the same time I was real excited. I fought him the best that I could. I felt it was a coin flip kind of fight, it was that close. He came back in the fourth round. I think that if I hadn't gotten so tired in the fourth round there would have been no way I would have lost it.

Papsadora, of Silver Lake, was another top MN amateur with years of experience. Papasodora is a southpaw pressuring fighter with power in both hands, something Brandt says he didn't know going in to the fight. But Brandt says it was the circumstances that surrounded the fight, which took place at the Canterbury Race track in Shakopee, MN that made it standout.

"Literally minutes before that fight there was a huge brawl in the ring that started with the guys that fought before me. The crowd got involved and the whole place erupted. Two of my buddy's from the gym got hauled off by the cops. So it was pretty tense and again I was nervous. But I had a lot of confidence because I had just gotten back from winning the under 19 National tournament. I was really surprised at how big he was (Papasadora). We were both throwing some good shots. I caught him with a couple of left hooks and stopped him in the second round. "

After winning the 2007 Ringside Championships in his first months of boxing, Brandt would set his sights on the Under 19 National tournament which took place in August of 2008 in Missouri. Brandt said he spent months preparing for the tournament. The work paid off as Brandt stopped Erick Hernandez of Texas in the 178 pound weight class in the championship bout.

"I trained pretty much all summer for the under 19's. I won two fights to get the title. The first one was a real good fight with a kid from Georgia I believe. He came out banging. I think he was up by two or three points after the first round. I came back and believe I won by about seven or eight points.
The Championship fight I had to fight a guy named Eric Hernandez from Texas. We went at it but I was up by quite a bit early. Second round I dropped him with a right hand at 41 seconds of the second round."

By winning the under 19's Brandt earned a spot on the US National team that would compete in the AIBA Youth World Championships in Mexico. It would be Brandt's first International tournament. Brandt would face an experience German fighter by the name of Artur Schmidt in the opening round. The bout turned to be an exciting, back and forth slugfest. Brandt battled back after being down by four points in the fourth and final round to tie up the score. To decide the winner, officials tally up all the "clicks" each judge gave during the entire bout. A point is only awarded if each and every judge clicks their button simultaneously if they think a punch is landed. In the end Brandt came up a few clicks short in a 10 to 10 tiebreaker decision.

"I had no idea how big that was going to be. There was 68 countries there in a huge stadium. It is a little difficult going into a fight not having your own coaches. It was hard not knowing the coaches all that much. But I worked with the best, they were real good coaches. I worked real hard but came up a little short. I was in real good shape and threw everything I had in those last fifteen seconds but could not get that last point to save my life! I'ts a different level and almost a different sport when you box at that level but I can't wait to get that opportunity again."

Most recently, MNBoxing.com contributor Brett Mauren was ringside for Brandt's latest fight at the Uppercut Gym in Minneapolis on December 13th. Mauren stated that Fans were treated to a brilliant display of skills by Brandt, calling him a "rising star".
Now Brandt says he is gearing for the upcoming USA boxing invitational in 2009. Brandt also reveals hopes of catching a top MN amateur vet before he turns pro.

"Right now I am real excited about the USA Tournament. Last year I lost to Michael Faulk, it was a very close decision. I am really hoping he stays in the amateur game so I can get in there with him again.
It was my ninth fight I believe. He is 29 or 30 years old so he has been around for a while. He is experienced though, he has that man strength so it would be a fun to fight him again.
But yeah I really want to go to nationals, USA's and see how I do out there. I got ranked in the under 19 division and now I want to get ranked in the men's division. Take it from there and hopefully I can get to those 2012 Olympics!