ROUND NINE: CAN LITZAU PICK UP THE PIECES?
Story by Ray Kilgore
Photos by Jesse Kelley
April 7th, 2009

Jason Litzau's fight April 18th at the Target Center should be nothing more than a get back into the win column if things go his way, but the real focus for the 26-year old St. Paul Native is figuring out how to fix the past as he moves into the next phase of his career.
Litzau's once again backed in the corner trying to jab and weave the question that's dogged his career: why he continues to sabotage fights within his control?

On February 29 2008, the "American Boy" challenged then champion Robert Guerrero for the IBF title. Although Litzau was a clear underdog, he had serious chance given his KO power and huge heart.
Litzau, 23-2 (19 KOs) would eventually subcome to Guerrero by TKO him in round 8th, but as Litzau reflects on the fights, it's clear he was doomed from the start.

"I did some dumb stuff before that fight." He adds, "Man I was having a lot of personal stuff going on."
He reveals breaking camp weeks before the fight to take his children to Disney world; never watched tapes on Guerrero; and basically failed to see how the fight would shape his future.
"I ask myself 'Jay why didn't you hold when you got knocked down'"? Without missing a beat he answers: "Because I have heart. Trust me if I get Guerrero again it will be a different story. He cut me, did you see me give up? This P***y gets cut and quits [in Guerrero's last fight on HBO].

Litzau will fight on the undercard on April 18th which headlines his older brother Allen taking on Wilton Hilario, yet it's clear he doesn't plan to be undercard status too much more.
"Think about it. I've been on national TV [HBO and Showbox] and when people talk Minnesota boxing, they mention Jason Litzau's name."
He bluntly adds, "I am the best fighter on the card. I am not going to be fighting on too many more undercards. I'll leave boxing if that's the case."
Although he refuses to talk about his purse, it's safe to suggest it doesn't match the life style he envisions for himself and children.
"If it doesn't make dollars it doesn't make sense! This isn't about an ego for me. I don't mind being on the undercard, but you don't get paid and I have a family to take care of."

Unfortunately family hasn't been the only people he's supported; his generosity has extended to outsides even to the point of once selling his jeep to pay for friends' trip to Vegas.
"This last year I realized I was young. I had more on my shoulders than most people trying to take care of my little brothers and pay child support and please so many people. I realize I need to get rich take care of my family and f*** everybody else."

Litzau's health has been the subject of rumors, some saying the ring wars of reportedly 135 amateur bouts and fireworks fights as a professional has finally caught up with him.
He says nonsense!
"They say I am punchy but that's not true. I feel good. I look good. It's just that when I am talking, I am thinking about a million things at once. I am no dumb fighter He adds, "Haters want to bring me down. They don't want to see me make it but my God and my kids are the only ones who can judge me."

He agrees many of his fights have been difficult by his own doing, but insists that on April 18th this is his "second career."
"My career is going to be longer. I chose to entertain. But now it's about fighting smart and making my career last."
No one knows how long his career will finally last, yet he does expect the love of the two most important people [soon to be three his girlfriend is pregnant] in his life-his children-will last forever.
In fact, just as he's about to expand on fatherhood, his oldest walks in and instantly Litzau turns into a different man.
"That's my oldest baby right there," as the little girl beams with a bright smile at her father. "There's my honey, my princess, this is what it's about."

As much as he likes boxing and all the good trappings that come with it, the sense is the sport will never match the excitement of having his children especially when it's his overnight weekend.
He knows the Guerrero fight is past him, he knows his daughters are proud of him regardless, he knows the beast inside-as a fighter-gets the better of him, and he probably knows that most Minnesotans are proud of him for representing the state proudly even in defeats and he's trying to be the best he can be even if he gets tripped up from time to time.

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