TalkingBoxing News
"Bad Blood" in Minneapolis
FRI December 22 - MINNEAPOLIS (December 21, 2006) - "Bad Blood" spills over January 12 in Minnesota as bitter archrivals Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante and Matt "The Predator" Vanda finally meet in the ring in a Minnesota dream match at The Target Center in Minneapolis.
The 10-round main event matches The Contender Season One star Bonsante (28-3-3, 17 KOs), of Shakopee, defending his recently captured Minnesota State middleweight championship, as well as fighting for the vacant IBA Americas title belt, against former IBA Americas light middleweight title-holder Vanda (35-2, 21 KOs), fighting out of St. Paul.
Former Minnesota boxer Tony Grygelko's Seconds Out Promotions, Guzman Entertainment and Midwest Sports Council, in association with The Target Center, are presenting "Bad Blood."
Bonsante, who registered an 11th round TKO of 31-1 Tony Ayala, Jr. for the vacant IBA super middleweight title in 2003, won the vacant Minnesota middleweight title on the November 17 show in Minneapolis, stopping St. Paul veteran Troy Lowry (27-6) in the eighth round. "They call him 'The Predator' but I've been calling him out for six years," Bonsante said about his match-up against Vanda. "Now he's fighting me because I'm 36 and you can time my punches with a calendar. I'll still beat his ass. I've been jaw-jacking him the last six years and January 12th it'll finally happen and everybody will see who the better fighter is. I'd call this fight The Contender versus The Pretender."
Vanda is coming off an impressive victory by unanimous 10-round decision November 17 against Dillon Carew at The Target Center. In 2005, Matt defeated former world champion "Yory Boy" Campas by 12-round decision for the IBA Americas light middleweight title. "I'm 35-2 and don't like losing," Vanda remarked. "I'm going to knock Bonsante out. I don't take anything away from Tony. He's a tough guy. But he has no skills compared to my boxing skills. I'm just hitting my prime and I'm stronger than ever. I can beat the best middleweights in the world."
In a pair of six-round bouts featuring Minnesota heavyweights prospects, Minneapolis knockout artist Joey "Minnesota Ice" Abell (9-1, 9 KOs) fights an opponent to be determined, while
Rochester's Raphael Butler (23-3, 19 KOs) takes on Josh "The Griz" Gutcher (18-6, 13 KOs). Minnesota State featherweight champion Allen "The American Boy" Litzau (11-2, 6 KOs), of St. Paul, also will be showcased against Elvis "El Burrito" Martinez (10-19-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round, non-title bout.
Unbeaten featherweight sensation Wilton Hilario (6-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of St. Louis Park (MN), will put his perfect record on the line against former world champion Juan Polo Perez (46-44-4, 23 KOs) in a six-round match.
Also on the undercard is St. Paul welterweight Raul "The Matador" Gracia (6-0, 2 KOs), who faces David Hernandez (4-4-2, 2 KOs) in a four-round battle. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00, are available at the Target Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 651.989.5151. VIP tables also are available for $200.00 and $250.00.
Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 7 PM. For more information call 612.673,1600 or go to www.targetcenter.com.
Flores positioning himself for contender role in 2007
FRI December 22 - LAS VEGAS (December 22, 2006) - Unbeaten cruiserweight B.J. "El Pelogroso" Flores plans on going from prospect to contender with an impressive winning performance January 13 against Chris "Cold Steel" Thomas for the WBF and NBA cruiserweight titles at Knox Arena in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Flores (17-0-1, 12 KOs), reigning WBF All-Americas champion, is rated No. 26 by the WBC, as well as No. 3 by the NABF and No. 5 by the IBA. "I wanted to make a statement against an opponent who poses a real threat," Flores said. "I wanted this fight, he wanted this fight, and Jan. 13 we'll answer all of the questions. A win should get me into the top 15 and after that we'll see which way my team wants to go. I'm not looking past Thomas, who is a good puncher and former NABA champion, but I'd like to get a title shot against (IBF champion) Krzysztof Wlodarchzyk. I'd go to Poland to fight him. (Steve) Cunningham wasn't robbed in his fight against Wlodarchzyk. He didn't land enough clean punches. When you go to the other guy's country you need to knock him out or dominate. You need to grab the brass ring and Cunningham didn't dominate the fight. Wlodarchzyk is perfect for me; he comes straight ahead and doesn't move too much. A fight between us would have a lot of action.
"But I'm training right now to fight Thomas, who has knocked out 14 in his 16 wins. I'm ready to fight dangerous guys like him. I'm not overly concerned but respect his power. I have what it takes to neutralize his power. As a cruiserweight I have the power of a heavyweight with speed. I've had a solid training camp with no distractions. I've done what I have to do to go 12 rounds.....if it does go the distance. It's definitely tougher training around the holidays, but this is my job, my profession, and I do what I have to do and what time's left I spend with family. I just can't put my work aside because of the holidays. There are no days off training for a big fight like this. I respect boxing too much and pay the price. I've been sparring with heavyweights like Malcolm Tann, David Bostice and Terry Smith. We'll be bringing in sharper, taller guys to better simulate Thomas. I'll be in fantastic shape for this fight."
Since dropping down to cruiserweight from heavyweight, after signing a promotional contract with Silverhawk Championship Boxing, Flores has registered back-to-back first-round TKOs of Ali Supreme (15-6) and Gary Dydell (8-2) in his last fight (September 30). A native of San Francisco now living in Phoenix, B.J. was a two-time U.S. National Championships winner (2001-2002) as a heavyweight. His most notable victory as a pro was against former NABO title-holder Jermell Barnes, by a unanimous eight round decision (80-72, 80-72, 78-74).
Thomas has also beaten Supreme (KO8) and Richie LaMontagne (TKO2). The Chicago KO specialist has been in tough against the likes of former world champion Kelvin Davis twice, Emmanuel Nwodo and Felix Coro, Jr.
"I'll celebrate the holidays after the fight," Flores concluded. "I want to shout out to all of my fans and wish them happy holidays, especially those fighting in Iraq who can't be with their families right now."
For more information about Flores or Silverhawk Boxing go to www.silverhawkboxing.com.
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