Report and Photos By Jesse Kelley
Minnesota light heavyweight Zach “The Jungle Boy” Walters improved to 21-2, 16 KOs with an impressive fifth round stoppage of the durable Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN in front of 1800 fans on December 15, 2007. The show was presented by Bad Dog Promotions and Mike LeTourneau was matchmaker.
In a definite step up bout, Walters showed he was ready for the challenge in earning a decisive victory. After an even first round, Walters began to use his jab more, moving in and out while landing heavy shots on Strohl. Walters looked impressive, both boxing Strohl as well as landing heavy power punches. Strohl lived up to the nickname “Steel Chin” as Walters stung him a handful of times, yet Strohl kept coming forward. In the end, Strohl’s corner felt it was too much for him to continue and called a halt to the action at the conclusion of round five. With the defeat, Strohl falls to 27-6, 21 KOs. Strohl acknowleded Walters’ speed advantage after the fight and announced that this would be his last fight. Walters was happy with his performance, stating that he had to stay smart and box because he felt Strohl was always dangerous even when he had him hurt. Walters hinted at some possible big news being in the works involving a TV bout or a title shot for his next fight on February 28th in Superior WI.
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In the co-feature, light heavyweight Carl Daniels stopped “Fabulous” Freddie Moore at 2:46 of the 6th round. Moore, of Rochester, MN, had a slight edge through the first half of the contest by using his jab to control the distance while landing solid punches.
Fred Moore jabbed and boxed from the outside using his height well. However, Daniels was able to work his way inside more frequently as the fight progressed, landing uppercuts and left hooks to the head of Moore.
Daniels continuing pressure paid off in the fifth round when a hard straight left to the head rocked Moore back into the ropes. Moments later another big shot left Moore standing stunned in the middle of the ring at the sound of the bell.
Moore had success early in the sixth as he went back to his jab. Daniels was still looking to counter with the left. Daniels landed a chopping left to the right eye of Moore nearing the end of the round that almost immediately caused it to close up. Referee Mark Nelson stopped the action to have the eye looked at by the ring doctor. Moore’s eye was a gruesome site as blood was dripping from the inside of the eye and the bout was stopped.
With the victory, Daniels, a former WBA super welterweight champion, improves to 50-11-1, 32 KOs while Moore drops his fifth straight and now stands at 30-8, 27 KOs.
Saint Paul’s Bobby Kliewer (5-4-2, 3 ko’s) evened the score with Iowa’s Jeffery Osborne (5-8-2, 1 ko) in a middleweight bout. In their first fight
Last February, Osborne won by decision. This was Kliewer’s night however as the rangy fighter used his height and reach advantage to keep Osborne
on the outside where he wasn’t able to fight his fight. Credit both fighters for leaving everything on the line, most notably in the final round where both
men traded non-stop to the crowds approval. Afterwards, Both Kliewer and Osborne expressed interest in a third fight in the future.
Hometown fighter Tim Taggart made the most of his pro debut as he stopped Shirome Baltcher (0-3) at the end of the second round.
Taggart’s speed and power advantage were clear from the start. A quick right hand sent the southpaw Baltcher stumbling back down to the ropes where Mark Nelson began his count. Baltcher continued and fought back but was being outgunned.
The punishment continued through the second round. Referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout before the start of the third at the advice of the ring doctor
Harley Kilfian (2-1, 2ko’s) avenged a loss earlier this year to James Taylor (2-1, 1ko) in their rematch in the nights opener.
Kilfian found a home for a hard overhand right to the head early that rocked Taylor. Kilfian remained on top of Taylor as he looked to finish the fight. Taylor, a veteran of over 200 amateur fights, did his best to keep Kilfian off of him but was clearly dazed. Two big rights to the head sent Taylor to the canvas where referee Mark Nelson quickly waived the fight off. The official time of the stoppage was 2:28 of the first round.
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