BOXING: “Final Chapter” Grand Friday Night Fights Preview

The Grand Casino Hinckley’s Friday Night Fight series returns Friday night with a main event that

DeLorien Caraway 140 vs. Rondale Hubbert 140

features Minnesota State super lightweight champion Rondale Hubbert (13-8-2) defending his belt against challenger DeLorien Caraway (12-2). Minnesota will see the two 140 pounders in the best shape of their lives meet after rigorous training camps. Hubbert and Caraway weigh-in later today for the 10 round state title bout in Hinckley, MN with the rest of the boxers competing. Tickets were nearly sold out on at Thursday afternoon but a few are still available The Casino’s Box Office. For those who can’t make the trip, Minnesota Fight News will be live streaming the action on our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE at 6:30 PM CST

“I’ve never lost at home in Minnesota and I want to keep it that way” Hubbert told Minnesota Fight News when the fight was announced last June. I expect a good fight and for him to come in great shape to perform well. I plan to do the same. It’s going be a great night of fights.”

“This has all the making to be a good fight,” said Caraway. I love the challenge because he’s a tough and durable veteran with a lot of experience who’s seen a lot of different styles. We had our run-ins in the amateurs 7-8 years ago that were two great fights. I’m 2-0 against him so I know he wants to get me back”.

“We had a great camp” added Caraway’s trainer Corey Rodriguez. “Delorien is in superb shape. Rondale always rises to the occasion and we expect nothing less. This is the best Minnesota state title match-up in many years. Don’t miss this fight. It will be epic!”

Leading into the main event is an interesting cruiserweight clash between Duluth’s Al Sands (20-4, 18 KO’s) and Missouri’s Deshon Webster (12-2). The fight is scheduled for 8 rounds. Expect a big crowd to be on hand cheering on the 32 year-old Sands who is fighting to get back on track with win. Webster has a vacant ABF title shot line-up if victorious and plans on taking the win in Sands’ home state.
Sands traveled overseas in his last two fights and told WDIO that he has grown and learned a lot following the experiences those fights brought.

“It has been awhile since we’ve had a win (2017). We’ve had great experiences and I’ve been at camps with some of the top crusierweights in the world and I have had good looks and great experiences since then and I am excited to bring my new found talents and experiences in the ring with me,” says Sands.

Also making the short trip from Duluth to Hinckley is Ryan Watson (3-1-2) who competes in a

Ryan Watson 280.6 vs. Travis Fulton (weighs-in on Friday)

heavyweight bout scheduled for 4 rounds. Watson will face iron man Travis Fulton (25-47-1) of Iowa. This will be Fulton’s fifth fight in Hinckley and he’s a veteran of over 70 total boxing matches.
Watson has been successful since returning to the ring earlier this year. Most recently, he fought to a draw with James Jackson on June 22nd. A slot on this show was already in place so Watson says he returned to the gym a few days after that fight.

“Training camp has been really good” said Watson. “This is my third fight with Andy Kolle in my corner and we’re really starting to mesh considering it takes a couple fights to get used to a coach. Kolle being the best boxer to come out of Duluth in the recent years, it’s nice to just hear some of the stories and experiences that he’s had. This is also the third camp I’ve had a good friend of mine in camp as well in Danyelle Williams for some really good sparring. Just to have someone in the gym to train with is good because training by yourself gets old real quick. With all that being said I feel really confident going into this fight. The hardest fight of this camp so far has been with my weight. After taking 2.5 years off, I put on 100 pounds and it’s been extremely hard to get the weight off. After this fight I want to drop 35-50 pounds before my next fight. Other than that this camp has been the best camp I’ve had since I’ve been back.”

“I really wanted to run it back with Dancing Bull (James Jackson) considering I deserved the win in my last fight with him which ended in a draw. I’d still like to settle that fight. Travis Fulton is a very tough fighter with tons of experience and I don’t think he’ll try to stand and box with me. I expect him to try to make it an ugly fight.”

Minnesota state super featherweight champion Ramiro Hernandez (14-0) of Cleveland, Ohio will box

Ramiro Hernandez 126 vs. Antwan Robertson 125

former MN state bantamweight champion Antwan Robertson (10-18-1). Hernandez and Robertson meet in an 8 round featherweight match. Hernandez recently signed with Greg Gohen Promotions and it looks like a big opportunity on the National stage could be next. Standing in his way is Robertson who is very slick and tough for anyone when he is at his best. Robertson returned earlier this year from a two year layoff and says he is ready to put on a show.

Also boxing in a featured featherweight bout is undefeated Minneapolis native Marlin Sims (5-0). After picking up a win last January in Hinckley, Sims called out Ramiro Hernandez to a future showdown center stage. A meeting between Hernandez and Sims is unlikely anytime soon but we could be in the early stages of setting that fight up down the road depending on how their careers shake out.

Saint Cloud’s Joe James (5-0) is coming off a big win last June on the undercard of a Showtime televised card in Iowa. James goes for his sixth win as a professional as he faces Anthony Linenfelser of Rockford, Illinois (0-2).

Super welterweight Cruse Stewart (2-0) had his fight against Darrius Flowers (1-8) finalized just 8 days

Cruse Stewart 182 vs. Darrius Flowers 185

ago after Javontae Starks fell off the card due to logistical issues. Stewart turned pro last year in Hinckley and will be looking for win number 3 as a pro on Friday night. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Stewart has relocated to Minnesota where plans to make his mark.

“I’ve teamed up with Ray Nelson, Cerresso Fort, and also Rachel Goers (strength and conditioning coach)” said Stewart. “We train at Sir boxing in Saint Paul which I love and also at the fitness gym where the old Uppercut resides now. I believe with the team I have, we can become world champion!”

“I have known about a fight but I was never scheduled to fight. We did take it on eight days of notice but when you stay ready to perform, these are the steps we have to take to get the show on the road. My fans can expect a stellar performance and don’t blink an eye, you might just miss it!”

Undefeated Canadian heavyweight prospect Mladen Miljas (11-0) returns to Hinckley and will be tested

Joe James 137.6 vs. Anthony Linenfelser 134.6

by veteran Oklahoma’s Aaron Chavers (8-8-1). New Minnesota resident Mikey Faragon (19-1) makes his return to the ring against always tough Demetrius Wilson. Faragon is a well known New York boxer who is returning after five years out of the ring.

Tickets are on sale at the Grand Casino Hinckley box office or at ticketmaster.com. but they are nearly sold out. The action begins at 6:30 PM.

For those who cannot make it live, Minnesota Fight News will be live streaming the action on our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.

Mladen Miljas 237 vs. Aaron Chavers 247

Mike Faragon 137.6 vs. Demetrius Wilson 134.6