Featherweight prospect Jason Litzau (13-0, 13 KO’s) has knocked out every professional opponent he has faced. None of his opponents have ever made it past the sixth round. This Friday, the 21-year old Minnesotan hopes to show the boxing world that he is a world champion in-the-making.
Litzau is scheduled to face 24-year-old Idelfonso Martinez (13-4, 10 KO’s) of Texas in the co-feature of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Litzau and his trainer/manager, Bob Van Syckle, spoke to Fightnews about the upcoming fight in a phone interview.

How has training been going?

I’m getting anxious for this fight. Training has been going great. I’ve been getting some really good sparring. I feel better than ever for this fight.

Your opponent, Idelfonso Martinez, is 13-4, 10 KO’s. What do you know about your opponent?

I’m going to beat him, regardless of what he comes with. I’m a puncher. I’m a boxer. I can do it all. Whatever he comes with, we’ll adjust our game plan.

You’re in your 1st co-feature on an ESPN show. How does that feel? Any pressure?

It feels great. It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for. I don’t feel pressure. You’re born for this stuff.

When other Minnesota fighters have stepped up or had opportunities like this lately, the results haven’t been very good. How do feel about representing Minnesota?

They are going to be proud of me after Friday night. That’s all they need to know. I’m going to put Minnesota back on the map. I don’t care what anybody says. Everybody can doubt me in Minnesota and talk bad. There are people that love me and there are people that hate me, but I’m going to get rid of those haters sooner or later.

I’ve heard that you brought a pretty big group of Minnesota fans with you to Vegas. How many people are there with you?

About 25 people. They’re my crew that believes in me and has stood behind me.

Many big things have been happening for you. There was a feature about you in the Ring Magazine, Maxboxing did a piece on you and this fight is on ESPN. How does that feel knowing that your name and face are getting out there for people to see?

It feels great knowing that you’ve trained so hard for these moments to get to the top. There was never a doubt in my mind that it would come. I’m not at the top yet, but I’m getting there.

You’ve had some legal issues (domestic issue). Would you care to comment on that?

People know that I’m not going to beat up a girl. I just stay away from her now. I let my heart get into it because she had my daughter. I got mad and yelled at her at the Mall, but I didn’t hit her. If I would have hit her, she would have been down. She would’ve been hurt. Everyone wants to blow it out of proportion, but that’s not me. I’m a better person than that. She’s been trying to take me down from Day One.

Your longest fight went six rounds. Do you have any concerns about your stamina if this goes the scheduled eight rounds?

There is no doubt in mind that I can even go 10 rounds. I’m in great shape. The rounds have never been an issue.

This fight is a co-main event on ESPN. Obviously winning is the bottom line. But how important is it for you to win in impressive fashion?

It’s huge for me to win in impression fashion. It’s all or nothing. I can’t lose. I will not fail my daughter. I do everything for my daughter. I live to make her life better. When I train and when I feel tired sometimes, my daughter hits my mind and that’s it. I’ve made sacrifices since day one for my daughter not to have the life I had.

The contract weight for this fight is 127. You’re pretty tall (5"9)for that weight. Have you had any problems making that weight?

No. I can actually make 126. I made the weight easy. I didn’t have to sweat anything off. I trained hard for this.

Other fighters around your weight class like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Manny Pacquiao have been moving up in weight. They started at lower weights and continue to move up. Do you see yourself moving up in weight eventually?

I got the height and I’ve sparred with heavier guys. I definitely plan on moving up when the time is right. But right now I have to get a belt at 126.....that is my goal.

You’re probably not looking past this fight, but who would you like to fight? What should we expect to see out of you in the near future?

Expect a kid from Minnesota to do his best and leave blood and guts in the ring. To make it in boxing, put Minnesota back on the map and become a world champion. I would like to fight the best. It’s a business, but I have to take it one step at a time. To be realistic, I want to fight Rocky Juarez. I’d fight Erik Morales, Barrera and all them.

When do think you’ll be ready for that class of fighter?

A year or two.

What should we expect to see tomorrow night?

You’re going to see something unbelievable tomorrow....something spectacular.

Bob Van Syckle, Manager and Trainer

How has Jason been looking in training?

He’s been looking the best ever. We got unbelievable sparring in New York and New Jersey. All tough guys with over 35 fights.

Not too long ago, Jason was fighting veteran fighters who’ve been around the block. Lately, he’s been going up against other young prospects. Not that you’re looking too far ahead, but what is the next step for him and what should we expect to see in the near future?

He’s going to continue to fight young fighters....probably those with one or two losses because no one with an undefeated record is going to want risk it against Jason until there is enough money on the table where both fighters are going to make money. In the meantime, we want tough fights, but he’ll probably have to be 20-0 until another undefeated fighter will fight him.

What is the status of signing with a big promoter?

We’re on a huge show and its being promoted by Main Events. They’re very interested in him. Jason has fought four or five times for Main Events and they’re giving him this big opportunity on TV. If he does well, I know they’re going to want to sign him. But again, it’s all based on his performance (Friday). I’m confident that after this performance, we’ll be signing with somebody.

How is it important for him to win spectacularly?

It’s very important because that’s what the world wants to see. But he knows that he needs to (look good) in order to prove to the world that a white-boy from Minnesota can really fight. Unfortunately, fighters from Minnesota are stigmatized.

What should we expect to see Friday night? Predictions?

In the 1st round, he’s going to feel him out. But once he gets a feel for the guy after a couple rounds, then he’s going to turn it up a notch. He’s either going to knock this guy out or the referee is going to have to save this guy.

Will he have anymore fights in Minnesota?

I’m planning on doing something in late May or early June with (his brother) Alan Litzau and Darby Smart.

How far can he go? What do you see happening in his career?

Without a doubt.....with his dedication, his ability to learn, his athletic ability and his personality. He’s going to win the featherweight title and then grow into 130. We’re going to win titles at 130 and 135.

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