In his last nationally-televised fight, Matt Vanda was awarded a decision over Sam Garr, but the verdict left many boxing fans thinking Vanda received a hometown nod. After that fight, Vanda signed with Team Freedom and started working with trainer Norman Wilson. On the night before his fight against Armando Velardez on Showtime’s Shobox series, Vanda seems eager to prove his critics wrong and take another step toward the top of the junior middleweight division. Vanda and Wilson spoke to Fightnews.

How has the preparation gone for this fight?
Vanda: The preparation is better than ever. We’re ready to rock and roll. I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been in.

What do you know about Velardez?
Vanda: I know that he comes straightforward. He’s not a runner, so it will be a toe-to-toe fight. I just have to watch out for his right hand, it’s his power punch.

This is your second fight training outside of Minnesota under Norman Wilson, how has that gone?
Vanda: Better than ever because I can’t train here in Minnesota with all the distractions and the temptations.

In your last fight you had more head movement, a better mix of punches, and you looked more cut. What have you been working on in the gym this time around?
Vanda: We’re working on more head movement and not stepping back I do more rolling with shots and coming right back. I’m in better shape. I’m lighter than I was. I was 157, now I’m 152.

You won the Garr fight, but many people felt the wrong guy got the decision. How important is it to have a convincing win on Showtime?
Vanda: Its very important. It would be very nice if I stopped him. He’s never been stopped. I’m not going to try to knock him out. Well actually, I AM going to try and knock him out, but I am not going to force it.

Rumor has it that 15 fighters turned down this fight, how does that make you feel?
Vanda: I guess they’re scared to get knocked out. My game’s improving. I don’t know... What people saw on ESPN, I don’t think that it was very impressive. I didn’t look good. I don’t ever want to see that tape again. I watched it one time and I threw it out.

In that Sam Garr fight, I wasn’t properly trained. I don’t take anything away from him, but if I fought him right now, I’d knock him out in three rounds, guaranteed.

What should we expect to see?
Vanda: You will see two good fighters go head to head, non-stop action from beginning to end. It will probably end with a dramatic knockout late in the fight.

Norman, this is your second fight with Matt. How much has Matt improved?
Wilson: He’s made great improvement. When he first came to me, he was a cupcake. Now he’s graduated from being a cupcake to being a true competitor in the sport of boxing.

How far can he go?

Wilson: As far as Matt wants to go. That’s up to Matt.
Vanda: I want to go to the top, number one.

Do you have any last thoughts?
Vanda: I love the East Side fans. I love being back in Minnesota, ready to kick some more ass.