Allen Litzau Update
Story by Ray Kilgore
Photos by Jesse Kelley
March 25th, 2009

There are four truths about Allen Litzau:

1.He plans to show Wilton Hilario no mercy.
2.He loves to entertain.
3.He’s protective of his younger brother Jason.
4.He feels boxing is his only calling in life.

Litzau spars with professional boxer Hassan Wasswa as he prepares for his fight against Wilton Hilario, 10-0-1 (8 KOs) on 4-18-09 at the Target Center; by the way Litzau 13-3 (7 KOs), rips into Wasswa, you’d think he confuses him for Hilario.

Litzau throws a right in round one that puts Wasswa to a knee; in round two the men slug it out going past the mock bell; but round three gives an insight into Litzau’s mind-set.

Litzau backs Wasswa to the far ropes and lands a punch that buzzes the game fighter. Wasswa’s body contorts and slumps to the left halfway through the ropes. Wasswa’s head hangs dangerously in a prone position; Litzau fires two more shots before backing off to the roars of on lookers to stop the action.

Wasswa wobbles back to his corner holding the ropes to steady himself.

By now, both fighter’s corner ponders ending the session but when it looks like there will be one more round, Jason, Allen’s younger brother, jumps into the ring and yells, “That’s it enough! No he’s had enough! There’ll be another day!”

While this is taking place, Allen walks around like a man who comes back to reality, however; you wonder if he does this to a friend, what might he do if he gets Hilario in the same position?

Over Jason’s objection, the two men fight one more round. “Al take it easy. Just work your jab and work on defense!” yells Jason.

Allen asks Wasswa, “You are right man?” He gets a nod from the African Warrior and the two are back fighting with the same gusto.

“I feel strong! I never wanted anything so badly [Hilario]” proclaims Litzau. The fight between “The Pretty Warrior” and “American Boy” has been in the makings for years, and judging by the way the two exchanged words at the last press conference, they’ll do anything to get the win.

Litzau has always maintained the fight needed roasting and seasoning to bring fans in big numbers. Hilario’s supporters disagree saying Litzau never wanted the fight.

Litzau dismiss this as nonsense, “I was coming off two big letdowns. I was supposed to go to Australia and was training hard. Then I had other fights canceled and I fell into a depression.” (Litzau was contracted to fight Australian prospect William Kickett on August 22, 2008 but the bout was called off).

Litzau, who made his professional debut in November 2002 adds, “You have to understand when fights get canceled I don’t make money” so why not fight someone he referrers to as a “kid?”

“He’s got a lot of learning to do. You can’t knock out everyone. My goal is to stick with the game plan.” He further stresses, “Of course I want the knockout if it happens, but if it goes ten rounds, I’ll take that too.”

The 5’7” boxer admits he’s an entertainer first and knows how to capitalize on his ability to speak well, charm, and work a room.

He sees Hilario as being good for one thing—getting him more money and opening doors down the road for bigger money. “Working a regular job isn’t going to get me what I want. I have very expensive habits,” he says with a big laugh.

At this point he’s becoming restless talking about his foe, and turns his attention to his younger brother Jason; a topic that’s dear to his heart. “Jason Litzau is the real deal. He’s been on ESPN many times and he brings his heart to the game.”

The brothers bond and story of hardship is well documented and each knows the other will be there no matter what. “We both want to watch each other fight. I use to get worried [when he fought on the same card as Jason] but I don’t any longer.”

The two will never fight each other for real, but you can’t help but wonder if they thought about it. “Jay and I will be sparring with each other leading up to the fight,” but when asked if the two plan on going all-out, he gives a mystery laugh and says no more.

Regardless if you like Allen or not, you must respect his work ethics, his love for his family, his protectiveness of his younger brother, and that he’s entertaining, provides good media material, charming, and seems like a regular o’le guy.

Before he heads to Bally’s fitness center, he spends a few minutes talking with the amateur boxers who haven’t left for the evening and passing on life lessons. On April 18th Litzau’s educational plans for Hilario is: pain and agony of what it feels like to rebuild a career after a defeat because as he puts it, “I really don’t like this kid Wilton and it’s been like this for a long time.”