“JUNGLEBOY” Zack Walters: Homecoming
By Ramon Hough

“Jungle Boy” Zach Walters (10-1, 9 KO’s) fought his first three professional fights in his hometown of Duluth. But Walters, who is a student at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has been fighting on the road since then.
Much has happened in the light heavyweight’s’ career in the two-plus years since that last fight: In September of 2004, he knocked out Marty Lindquist to become the Minnesota State Light Heavyweight champion. A few months later, Walters sparred with the then World Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver. The result: James “Buddy” McGirt signed on to be his co-trainer alongside Chuck “Sharky” Horton.
On Saturday May 7th, Walters will be making his ring-return to Duluth when he takes on Jesse “Iron Jaw” Sanders in the main event of the “Truth in Duluth” fight card at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). This will be the DECC’s first professional boxing card in over a decade.
Horton, who is also Walters’ manager, says Duluth, which is known for being a hockey town, has embraced Walters and that tickets are selling fast
“Everywhere we go in Duluth, people are talking about it,” said Horton.
In separate interviews with Fightnews, Walters and Horton discussed the upcoming fight, the pressures of a homecoming fight and what the future may hold for Walters.
Here is what they had to say:

This will be your 2nd training camp under Buddy McGirt, how has training been going?
Jungle Boy: Training has been great. We worked on some things from my last fight: accuracy of my punching, snapping my shots, pacing myself. Continually getting rid of old habits and learning a better style of boxing that fits me.

What kind of improvements have been made?
Jungle Boy: I can see improvement in my punching skills and ring knowledge. I’m a more confident fighter as well. I want to be the very best at what I do and (with) every fight I have, hope to get closer to a championship fight.
Horton: Each time there is something different. He’s using his distance and his reach more than he did in the past. His jab is like a hammer now. The way he was hitting me with the jab (with mitts on), I’m assuming he’ll knock someone out with it because my arms and hands had to be iced.

What do you know about your opponent, Jesse Sanders (11-2-2, 10 KO's)?
JB: He’s a tough, confident fighter that is hoping to come to Duluth and knock
me out. He is a bit unorthodox and has an aggressive style. I think good boxing fundamentals will win the fight. Buddy, Sharky and I have devised a plan for this guy that is going to beat him. My physical trainer, Justin May of UMD Athletics, has been working on maximizing my punching power, balance and hand speed.

Your opponent, Sanders, was KO'd in his last fight. Are you planning on jumping on him right away to test his chin and his confidence? Game Plan?
JB: I watched the tape and it was stopped due to his corner calling it (off). He was not actually knocked out. I’ll take my shots as they open up. I am confident that I will be able to take advantage of any weakness Sanders has. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in and have never had better boxing skills.
Horton: Each time, we try to bring something different to the game so he’s unpredictable. You’ll see Zach punching from a much further distance with the same amount of power. He’s really using that reach that he has. At times, he hasn’t used it like he should.

Ten of Sanders' 11 wins have come by KO and he fought his last fight at cruiserweight, do you have any concerns about his power or size?
JB: He fights behind his power and believes in it. I’ve done several things to take that away from him by using angles. I’ve also strengthened my neck to better absorb his hard punches. As far as his size, Sanders is close to a mirror match to myself. It’s going to be a fun fight and a tough challenge.
Horton: Of course we do. (Sanders) is very offensive. The moment the bell rings, his whole mission is to bang. He’s a tough kid, he’s a hard-working young guy who comes to fight and he’s ready. He wants this in the worst way. The big boys, like Zach, they’re one punch away from either being a hero or having a disaster

This is also your 1st fight in Duluth since 2002 and first since you won the Minnesota Light Heavyweight title. What kind of pressure have you dealt with and do you think you could fall victim to trying to be too impressive?
JB: I do feel pressure in this fight, especially since it is at the DECC and all the publicity going into it. I think it is a pressure I will have to deal with as I get further into my career. I see it affecting me in a positive way because I felt the pressure early on and have been preparing for this fight for so long. The thing is not letting myself get distracted by all the people in the local scene.
Horton: He’s handling it real well. I hope he doesn’t think he has to do something spectacular and makes a mistake. But he’s a very bright kid and he’ll stay focused.

You've been fighting other young prospects recently. Not that you're looking past Sanders, but when would you like to or when do you think you'll be ready to take the next step to contender status?
JB: When Sharky (Chuck Horton) and Buddy say so. I trust these guys fully in the management of my career. I’m not trying to rush things and I’ve been really happy with the way my boxing career has progressed thus far.
Horton: He’s nine or ten fights away, in my eyes, from fighting for something very big.

Who are some fighters you'd like to fight?
JB: I want to continue stepping up the level of fighting as I move on this year. I want to make sure my skills follow with my popularity and the level of fights I have.
Horton: We’re looking to possibly fight Joe Spina (15-0, 11 KO’s), Lucian Bute (12-0, 12 KO’s) and Rico Hoye (18-1, 14 KO’s- Hoye was knocked out by Clinton Woods for the vacant IBF Lt. Heavyweight title in March)

What should we expect to see from you in the near future?
JB: I have two classes left in college and I’ll have my Psychology Degree (Walters was on the national dean’s list). This will free me up for greater commitment to my training. I have the BEST support base possible with Buddy, Sharky Horton and Mike Letourneau, and Justin May. (With) these guys on my side, you can expect many more exciting fights and continued success.
Horton: (Many) promotional companies want to sign Zach, but me and Buddy are dragging our feet. Its kind of nice being independent....not being at someone else’s mercy.

Many of Minnesota boxing's big names, like Matt Vanda or Jason Litzau, seem to have people that love them and hate them. I would imagine you have dealt with people that you can't seem to please. How do you deal with those people?
JB: Hey, they are entitled to their opinion of me, whatever it may be. The reality of life is that I will never be able to make everyone happy. I do my best not to take it seriously. As a professional, that’s just part of getting more popular. If I were a little guy in the mix, people wouldn’t care to state their opinions of me. I see it a sign of growth and it’s all good.

So far, you have fought on Fox Sports North and I heard this fight will be on Duluth television. What are your team's thoughts/plans on getting a fight in which you could showcase your skills on a national stage?
JB: More TV opportunities will come as I progress. I see it as an inevitable event in my career. As I continue to improve, I think I will fight more and more on TV. ESPN, Showtime/ShowBox, FOX SPORTS....we are looking to fight on all those stations
eventually.
Horton: (He) has two offers for televised bouts in June (10-round fights) against guys with lots of experience.

I’ve noticed that you've had problems with your mouthpiece. I think it came out once or twice in the Wood fight and it came out against Marty Lindquist. Would you care to comment on that?
JB: That’s funny you point that out. Two days after the fight with Mike Wood I cut that mouthpiece in half and threw it away. That thing was like bad luck and made me look as if I was hurt in several of my fights. I have a new custom fit mouthpiece from an oral surgeon in Vero Beach, FL. This one fits my teeth perfect.

You dominated the fight against Mike Wood. But you fought most of the fight on the inside, which is probably what he would have wanted you to do. Obviously, it seemed like you beat him at his own game. You beat him up pretty bad on the inside, but he kept on coming. However, in the final round, you were able to establish your distance and once you did that, you put him down and the end came very quickly. In this fight against Sanders, are you looking to avoid the in-fighting and use your size and length more consistently?
JB: With Wood, I found that I was fine on the inside and I was out boxing him in a fight that should have been more favorable to him. Buddy told me to change up the fight and jab so I did and the knockout came easy. With Sanders, he is a different fighter and, of course, I will treat him differently than Mike Wood. Buddy and Sharky have helped me a great deal with establishing and keeping my range so you can look for more of that. I’ll go to what ever means I have to in order to beat Sanders and I am confident I will be able to do what ever it takes.

What is going to happen on May 7th? Predictions?
JB: I’m going to fight hard and win. I don’t see a point in fighting if I lacked confidence. God gave me the skills to box and I think I will have a very exciting fight on May 7th.

Any final thoughts?
JB: I want to thank Jesus Christ for the talent to box. I would like to thank the DECC for getting behind me in making the fight possible. Thanks to the other Minnesota fighters on the card for being a part of the show. Without you guys, it wouldn’t be a show at all. Thanks to everyone that have supported me over the last several years. I keep moving up to new challenges and if it weren’t for the support I have received from Minnesota fight fans, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Sharky, how far can he go in this sport?
Horton: All the way. All the way. I mean the kid is so dedicated. We will raise the bar each time he fights. Eventually that bar will only go so high and that will be at the top. Zach will be there because he improves every fight. Zach is driven and dedicated.

Please send comments to Ramon at visayaic@yahoo.com