FORT READY FOR CHALLENGE
By Jesse kelley
8.5.09

Recently, an unmistakable and welcome trend of mega matchups has taken over the boxing scene in the state of Minnesota. The states young new fighters and established veterans alike have been willing to step in the ring with in-state rivals to test themselves and gain the necessary experience to step up on a national level. Cerresso Fort is one of the young up and coming prospects that says he is looking to face the states best talent. Fort shared his thoughts on why he thinks we are seeing so many super fights in MN and how he plans to do the same.

"Your going to see it continue." Said Fort about Minnesota's best fighters facing each other. "Minnesota has a lot of good fighters and we all want to be the best. If you want to be the best, you have to fight the best. That is why you are seeing the big fights happening now. How are you going to fight the good fighters around the world when you haven't faced the guys right here at home?"

Fort himself says he is looking to test himself against MN's other hot prospects. The Saint Paul fighter is penciled in to fight on September 26th at the Target Center and says he wants a big fight when he fights in front of what should be a big crowd.
"I am ready. That is going to be a big show, (Matt) Vanda and (Phil) Williams is a great fight and I want to add to it by fighting a fighter that is going to test me."

An interesting match that would pit Fort against Corey Rodriquez (4-0) in a fun clash of styles seemed to be likely for the 26th but may have hit a road block. Rodriquez stated in a recent interview that Fort was one of the local fighters he would like to face. The stipulations set by Rodriquez because of the weight difference were to meet at 155 and to do the weigh-ins the morning of the fight, something Fort says he doesn't agree with.
"This is the pros" said Fort. "I will gladly meet him in the middle at 154 pounds but this is professional boxing, you don't go and make up your own rules like that. Everybody on the card will weigh-in normally the day before and that is what I will do too. We are fighting each other to get ready for big fights on the road. Look at Jason Litzau, he is going on the road to fight on somebody else's card at a higher weight then he has ever fought at. Why? Because that is what he had to do to get the fight. Corey called me out and if he wants to meet at 154 I will make him sorry he ever wanted to fight me."

"People are saying on the Internet that Dave Peterson is the kid to beat. They are saying that he is faster then me and all that. He is another fight that I would like. People say that he is that good, so let's do it! A fight I feel that fans need to also see is me and Jon Schmidt. I respect Jon, he is a tough fighter. We both have good records and are coming up the same way at the same weight. I would love to fight a guy like Schmidt in September also. I think those are fights Minnesota fans deserve to see."

Last time out, Fort dropped gutsy showman Bobby Kliewer five times on his way to a fourth round stoppage. Fort will try to continue off that performance as his sights are first set on his bout Aug 14th at the Myth nightclub in Saint Paul. The 23 year old Fort (6-0, 6 KO's) faces fellow Rice Streeter Ray Walker (1-6). Fort stopped Walker in his pro debut in June of 2008 with sharp combinations in the third round.

"I am ready to make a big statement before the year is over." Said Fort. "It won't be too long before I start branching out of state but first I want to take care of a few of the guys in my way right here. In closing I just want to thank the people who have been behind the Cerresso Fort movement, God, my grandma, family and true friends. You know who you are. Team Rice Street, Midwest Sports Council, my second family at HHHJC, my networks around the country, Mr. Kelley for giving us the interviews, and I cannot forget the best personal trainer in the world Lisa Walkley. Thank you all because without you I am not powerful. God bless and see you at the fights."