Results From Minneapolis
By Brett Mauren - Photos By Rich Peterson
2.15.09

Despite fighting for a hometown crowd in Minneapolis, Phil Williams found himself in uncharted waters, awaiting the judge’s scorecards. Williams notched win number eleven of his career, this time by unanimous decision over Kansas City native Issiah Henderson (11-11) on February 13th at the Epic Nightclub in Minneapolis.
Williams may have dictated the bout using nothing but the threat of his right hand alone. Henderson did manage to stay out of position for a William’s power shot, but in the process gave himself few opportunities and did little more than simply survive the fight. Although the action was not what fans of “The Drill” are accustomed to, Williams established the jab and showed he has the ability to box when necessary.
Issiah Henderson was pretty much dubbed to be another name on the Phil Williams hit list, but surprised most of the pro-Williams crowd when he was still standing at the end of six. Henderson kept himself on the outside of Williams’ front foot and focused most of his energy on slipping jabs, prompting Williams to drop his hands and challenge the underdog to take a shot. Despite the taunts from Williams Henderson remained passive and looked to be more than satisfied with simply finishing the fight. Williams acknowledged the crowd afterward, thanking his fans, and letting them know he plans on bringing them some fireworks next time out. Whether or not fans were thrilled with Williams’ performance, they should definitely appreciate his enthusiasm following a recent hand injury.

In the co-feature Caleb Truax again showed the ability to execute on a National level with a second round knockout of Steve Walker(22-19). When Caleb Truax fights a large following is sure to turn out and once again the venue was flooded with “Caleb” chants. Truax didn’t let his supporters down either, showing patience and poise en route to another victory.
Truax used a patient approach and softened Walker with body shots and uppercuts as the fight was fought at close quarters. After absorbing a sustained attack Walker finally collapsed to one knee in the neutral corner. Walker was able to rise to his feet, but in the midst of a hostile environment his shaky legs couldn’t hold up. Truax put the exclamation point on his eleventh win with a relentless attack prompting a stoppage in round two much to the delight of his enthusiastic fan base.

 

The man known as “Minnesota Ice” put another spectacular knockout on the rocks, quick and easy as he dropped the hammer on Marcus Rhode(34-37). Rhode seemed to bank on a puncher’s chance as he lunged with a looping hook but was hurt immediately when Abell countered the miss with a devastating right cross. Rhode was overmatched from the opening bell as another miss had him eating a Joey Abell haymaker and dropping to the canvas. Although Rhode was able to rise to his feet Joey Abell’s heavy hands proved overwhelming and he was dropped twice more for a three knockdown rule loss. Abell moves to 22-4.

 

 

Stupid-fast is a pretty informal adjective but that’s exactly what Willshaun Boxley is. Boxley again looked far beyond his 5-0 record, and his confidence isn’t far behind as members of his corner toted a sign calling out both of the Litzau brothers during the prefight entrance. The theatrics of his entrance set expectations but Boxley did not fall short, as he outclassed Felix Martinez (1-2).
Boxley looked comfortable and polished in his shoulder roll defense while his speed took care of the rest. Martinez honored both Boxley’s speed and precision, enabling Boxley to use his feint to disrupt any kind of rhythm Martinez could put together. After softening his opponent up and letting his hands go for sporadic barrages Boxley finally put Martinez down near the close of the third, then showed an animalistic instinct as he bolted forward with a hard right hand immediately after Martinez came to his feet. The punishment proved overwhelming and Mark Nelson called for the stoppage after the third round for a Willshaun Boxley TKO win.

 

 

In a bout between two newcomers Dion Savage snatched the “0” from Marvin Rodriguez’s young record. Both Savage and Rodriguez showed some green with a few sloppy combinations. Dion Savage did make up for his lack of touch with raw athleticism, connecting with several hard left hooks swelling Rodriguez’s right eye shut. The swollen eye may have paved the way for Savage to bring his ring generalship into play as he dropped his hands and motioned for Rodriguez to take a swing. Neither fighter took a step back in the latter part of the fight, but clinches and missed punches were aplenty as the final seconds ticked by. Dion Savage managed to outpoint Rodriguez for his third career win via unanimous decision after four rounds.

 

Jeremy “Lights Out” Mclaurin didn’t necessarily shut off Sook Siyajuck’s lights, but did do enough to earn a decision win moving to 3-0.
Mclaurin used a rope-a-dope strategy for most of the fight, and timed several piping right hands to the head of Siyajuck, who was clearly hurt by the long, snapping shots. As if there was any question as to Mclaurin’s athleticism he put it on full display following a third round slip, acrobatically springing back to his feet, and most certainly causing his trainer’s heart to skip a beat.
Mclaurin landed without question the more meaningful blows for three rounds, but may have tired a bit in the fourth round. Siyajuck capitalized on Mclaurin’s fatigue, but failed to land any real meaningful shots as he caught mostly glove and shoulder to close out the fight. Although Siyajuck’s corner insisted he had done enough to win, the judges saw differently and Jeremy Mclaurin was awarded a unanimous decision win moving to 3-0.

 

John Schmidt exhibition with Charles Meire

 

Marcus LeVesseur Dec. over John Marriot

 

Carey Vanier Submission win over Derek Abrams