Photos by SnapLocally.com, click here to see more combat photography

Fight Report – February 5^th 2010 at First Avenue in Minneapolis

“Fights Won and Fights to Come”

By: Laura Zink

Andy "Kaos" Kolle, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

At First Avenue Night Club in Minneapolis last night, a capacity crowd filled the club not for rocking, but for socking in the venue’s first ever professional boxing card. Like the venue, which seemed a promising new location for fights, the fights themselves inaugurated this new venture with fights won and the promise of bigger fights to come.

Pat “the Cat” Coleman took a beating from Andy “Kaos” Kolle in the main event of the evening. Though Coleman played the part well in his pre fight antics, telling the crowd with a big smile that they are going to see how “Damn, he cold! You watch!”, when the bell rang he was all about defense. Round after round Kolle had to try to break through the guard of Coleman who kept his forearms cradled around his head almost the entire bout. Kolle tried straight shots to break through the middle, hooks to the body to bring the arms down, and hooks to the head to work around it, but the guard, for the most part, stayed up and prevented any serious power shots from getting through.

Kolle landing on Coleman, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

In round three, however, Kolle found a brief opening during a mid-round lull to land 2 straights and a left which sent Coleman back a bit, wobbling as he stepped backward into the center of the ring with his arms down. Similarly in round four, Kolle landed another sizable left which caused Coleman to fold over forward, resulting in a tangle which made him slip onto his hands and knees. As he lifted himself up, he made protests to ref Nelson from a bloody mouth full of red teeth. By the end of the round the doc was in Coleman’s corner checking his left eye which, similarly, had its white completely infused with blood as well. It was clear that Coleman’s sight was in serious jeopardy. Still, Coleman continued on into round five, but he suffered more of the same, Kolle working in more combos to the head, which again, made Coleman wobble mid-round. Yet, Coleman did not go down for good until he returned to his corner after round five. With ring doc again standing over him and examining his eye, he told ref Nelson that he could not continue due to a lack of sight. Just as the bikinied ring card girl made her final turn around the ring to announce round six, the fight was called and Andy Kolle stood on the corner ropes the victor.

“Yeah, he had good defense,” Andy told the ring announcer after the fight, “He got in that shell all night so it was hard to land good shots….He knew how to protect himself and stay alive.”

“And from what I understand,” the ring announcer returned, “The fight is now signed, sealed and delivered, it’s a rematch coming up in the spring. You will be fighting Matt “The Predator” Vanda.”

“I look forward to fighting Matt,” Kolle said and pointed a finger out into the crowd. “I see Matt over there. He’s a good guy. I love that guy. It was a tough fight. It’s a fight that the fans want to see, and I just want to give the fans what they want.”

“My guess is that you are expecting the same tough rugged fight that you had the last time,” the announcer continued. “Would you approach this fight any differently? I am sure that you have changed as a fighter, and so has Matt.”

“I am a lot smarter now,” Kolle responded. “Back then, that was early in my career. I went to war with him, and I shouldn’t have done that. But I fought his fight. And this time, we are going to come with something different…and it is going to be my fight.”

The co-main event of the evening had a similar ring as the main event - the principal fighter looking forward to the bouts to come. The manifestation of the fight, however, was markedly different than the main event. Where Kolle had to work though getting past a surviving fighter’s defense, Javonte Starks got to practice his defense against an ever-coming, ever-throwing Alex Gonzalez.

Starks started the bout with 2 jabs which ignited an explosion of punches from Gonzalez. Gonzalez attempted to use the barrage as a way to move Starks from one end of the ropes to another. But Starks, cool and collected in the pressure, used the flurries as an opportunity to show his catching skills, shifting and moving through one shot to the next and making almost none of Gonzalez’s shots land cleanly. After the barrage, Gonzalez was clearly gassed, so Starks took the reins. Walking Gonzalez down, Starks landed one head shot which bent Gonzalez over, another shot which punched Gonzalez down more, and 3 more which made Gonzalez kiss canvas and caused the ref wave off the fight in 2 minutes and 51 seconds of the first round.

“I was practicing my defense,” Starks told the announcer after the fight, “catching punches. I wanted to please the fans a little bit so I let it go a little longer than it should have.”

Starks then took a moment to remind fans that the more fights he has, the better the competition will be in the future.

In the prelims, Jeremy McLaurin faced a seriously tough fight with Hector Orozco. From the millisecond the bell rung, Orozco exploded into a barrage of head shots. McLaurin, looking somewhat surprised, moved back and tried to get some distance and range so that he could start landing. It didn’t happen. Orozco, sensing that his pressure tactics were overwhelming any opportunity for McLaurin to throw, kept up the pace the entire round, barreling in with looping shots and, once in, closing the distance by stuffing his head into McLaurin’s chest and hitting the body until they tangled and had to be separated by the ref.

McLaurin landing a big body blow, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

By round two, cries could be heard from ringside screaming at McLaurin to “JAB!! JAB!!! JAB JEREMY!!” But the well-wishers admonitions could not turn the tide as Orozco kept up his stifling pace and made McLaurin work more on moving than finding his usual clean shots. The pressure built more as round three wore on because fans, knowing that this was a four round fight, clearly felt that McLaurin had to pick up the pace in order to gain some leverage with the judges. And while round three was much closer that the previous two, clearly something spectacular needed to happen if McLaurin were to win the fight.

This spectacle happened in round three with a terrible right hand from McLaurin. The punch sliced into Orozco’s eye and opened a gash right under his eyebrow. The cut began to open more and bleed, bleed, bleed into his eye as it began to swell shut toward the end of the final round. Ref Nelson called Orozco over to the doctor for an examination. As the doc’s face became more concerned and his questions became more intent, Orozco began to plead with the doctor to let him continue…but alas for Orozco, the fight was called in1 minute and 41 seconds into the 4^th round due to the injury, making McLaurin the winner.

“I’ll keep fighting,” Orozco told me outside the venue after the fight, “You are going to see me again.”

And in previous bouts, it seems that there are other things that boxing fans will get to see again. After knocking out William Bellcourt in a mere 1 minute and 55 seconds of the first round, Antwan “Lil Superman” Robertson agreed to a rematch with “Bad” Brad Patraw.

As Robertson was about to make his exit, Patraw hopped up into the ring. As the crowd booed, Patraw took the mic and, with a smile on his face, looked at Robertson and said, “All I gotta say is I’m looking for my rematch.”

Antwan Robertson, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Playful in spirit, Robertson stomped his foot hard on the canvas in a theatric of mock shock.

“You got it!” Robertson said, “You gave me a shot. You beat me, and I beat you. Let’s do it!”

Both fighters smiled and exited the ring as the crowd cheered the idea of a rubber match between two fighters who collided both in the amateurs and now what will be the third time in the pros.

And finally, in the kick off of the evening, the crowd was treated to a double-header of quick knockouts. After slamming into Andrew Kato and causing him to flop over head first on third rope in round one, Don Tierney knocked out Kato in 21 seconds of the second round. And for the first bout of the evening Jose Hilario got a lightning fast KO victory over Joe Negron in a mere 41 seconds of round 1.

Photos by SnapLocally.com, click here to see more combat photography

Kolle (left) and Vanda, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

The Midwest Sports Council, RDS Company, and First Avenue Nightclub put on a fun night of fights. The place was packed with vocal fans. Although it turned out to be a short night of fights due to stoppages, it only seemed to add to the excitement among screaming fans. There were two announcements made regarding Minnesota state champions defending their titles. “Bad” Brad Patraw entered the ring after Antwan “Little Superman” Robertson won his fight and challenged him to a rematch for the state belt. After Andy “Kaos” Kolle won his fight they announce April 2 will bring on Kolle/Vanda 2. Aside from all of the big knock-downs, announcements and KO’s, the fight of the night belonged to Jeremy McLaurin and Hector Orozco. Below is a quick run-down of last night’s events. Laura Zink will also have a report later today.

Jose Hilario over Joe Negron (KO 41 seconds into the first round) - Hilario attacked and KOed Negron with a huge left hook. KO of the night.

Don Tierney punches Kato through ropes, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Don Tierney over Andrew Kato (TKO 21 seconds into the second round) - Tierney was the slicker and faster fighter. While Kato was throwing and for the most part missing with big shots, Tierney was moving and landing shots of his own, putting Kato on the mat two times in the first round. The second round started with a mad rush by Tierney that did not subside until the fight was stopped 21 seconds into the second round.

Antwan Robertson, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Antwan Robertson over William Bellcourt (TKO at 1:55 of the first round) - Robertson was just too fast with his jab and movement for Bellcourt. Superman landed hard clean shots at will until the fight was stopped.

McLaurin (left) and Orozco, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Jeremy McLaurin over Hector Orozco (Dr stopped the fight at 1:41 of the fourth and final round due to cut above Orozco’s eye caused by a right hand.) - This was the fight of the night. It reminded me a little of Eyer/Cortez. Orozco brought the pressure and big shots for much of the fight. Most observers had Orozco up by two rounds going into the third. McLaurin seemed to come alive in the third round using his length and superior boxing skills but Orozco was still able to land his shots and muscle McLaurin around a bit, very close round. The fourth round looked a lot like the third with McLaurin probably winning it up until a right hand from McLaurin caused a cut above Hectors left eye that the Dr deemed too serious to allow the fight to go on. Nice come-back win for McLaurin and a very tough break for Orozco.

Javontae Starks, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Javontae Starks over Alex Gonzalez (TKO at 2:51 of the first round) - The fight began with Gonzalez in his pro debut firing nonstop for most of the first half of the round. Though he was firing, little was hitting the always calm, cool, and collected Starks. When he wanted to, Starks opened his guard and landed monster punches whenever he desired. My last note before the stoppage was that it looked almost as though Starks was toying with Gonzalez until the ref stepped in and stopped things.

Andy Kolle (left), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Andy “Kaos” Kolle over Pat Coleman (Coleman quit after the fifth round claiming he could not see) - This fight in a nut shell was Kolle throwing and Coleman standing in his guard. As the fight progressed Kolle began to get clean shots through Colemans guard by nailing the body and moving upstairs. All rounds showed Kolle throwing shots at Coleman as he back him through all portions of the ring. Although Kolle had him wobbled on a few occasions, Coleman only hit the mat in the fourth. The end of the fourth and through the 5th was Kolle throwing 1 2, 1 2, 1 2, and following up with 5 and 6 punch combos. It was clear after the fourth round that Coleman was beginning to have trouble seeing as the constant slam of Kolle’s lefts and rights were beginning to blind him. After the fifth round was over Coleman told his corner he could not see and the fight was stopped. This leads us to what may become the event of 2010, Andy Kolle vs Matt Vanda, April 2.

Cory Rapacz (left) with Javontae Starks, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

I will transcribe the entire interview in the coming weeks, but wanted to be able to get a portion out before Friday’s fights.

Javontae Starks (2,0) fights this Friday at First Avenue Nightclub. This will be his first professional fight in his home town. Stark’s first two fights were at Hinckley Grand Casino and left quite an impression on those excited for his career. Javontae Starks decisive wins were little surprise to those close to boxing in Minnesota. Starks had a full career before setting foot in the ring November 13 for his first professional fight. He has won countless awards and has been all the way to the top of the amateur scene. Having over 110 amateur fights, many of them against the worlds best, has been a huge advantage for him in the beginning of his pro career. “Any manger will tell you that your last 10 amateur fights at an elite level will be harder than your first 10 fights in the pros.”

There are those who would like to see Javontae jump in the ring with Minnesota’s best already because of his pedigree, but Starks understands the business of boxing as well as the importance of each step leading up to what many observers believe to be Minnesota’s best shot at National recognition in boxing. Javontae Starks wants to help put Minnesota on the boxing map. He has dreams of being much more than Minnesota’s best boxer, but of being the world’s best. These thoughts are not conveyed in a bragging sense, but are more of a mission statement. Starks has been in there with the best of the best.  He knows one state makes for a small pond, and he has fought and lost to people with world class talent.  He has fought and won against world class talent, and all these experiences aford him the ability and boxing know how to see what a successful run in boxing can be.

M…. How many fights would you like to have this year?

Starks…. 8 or 9 fights.

M…. Are there any instate fights you would like to have before moving on to bigger things?

Starks…. Cerresso Fort, he is a very good friend of mine and almost a big brother type. I think there would need to be a little talking into it, but I think that would be a great fight. Nothing personal, just boxing. I am always willing to fight the best.

M…. What has been the biggest difference from the amateur game to the pro game?

Starks…. The ref stays out of the way. In the ams the ref was too involved.

M…. How would you describe your boxing style?

Starks…. Puncher/boxer, I am really relaxed when I fight. If I had to compare myself to somebody I would say Bernard Hopkins.

M…. If you were not boxing, what do you think you would be doing now?

Starks…. I would be playing basketball or football.

M…. Did you have to stop playing those to focus on boxing?

Starks…. I hurt my knee in basketball and thought I had a better shot at making it in boxing.

M…. Is there anything you would like to add?

Starks…. I would like to show my respect to fighters like Cerresso Fort and Dave Peterson. People have been able to see what they can do here locally.

Matt Vanda/Andy Kolle Courtesy Walters Photography, all rights reserved

This coming Friday, February 5, brings the return of Kaos for his first fight since last June. Pat Coleman (29,15) is set to be the man opposite of Kolle (19,2). From all indications this should be a tune-up fight for bigger things in the upcoming months. It is not so secret that a showdown between Kolle and Vanda seems to be in the works for as soon as this coming March. Though Vanda lost convincingly this past Friday there are no signs that it has changed any plans. The fact of the matter is that Vanda is still one of the top Middles in Minnesota. Team Kolle may get to choose who they defend their Minnesota title against but from all I have spoken to, nobody is pounding down the door to fight a 6 foot 1 inch south-paw with huge KO’s in his last two fights. This leaves Minnesota fight fans with an opportunity to watch the second installment of Kolle/Vanda and I don’t think you will hear too many  complain about that.

Aside from the return of Andy Kolle, this card is loaded with some of Minnesota’s top young prospects. Jeremy McLaurin (6,0), Javontae Starks (2,0), Jose Hilario (1,0) and Minnesota Champ Antwan Robertson (5,1,1) will all be showcased this Friday at First Ave Nightclub.

CESTUS Fighter Don “Da’Bomb” George: Continues Super-Middleweight Climb, Destroys Williams in 3 !
By: Cestus Press

 
Last Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago , Illinois , fight fans were treated to another great night of boxing as Chicago ’s native son, Cestus Management Fighter Donovan George, scored another jaw dropping win.  “DA BOMB” (19-0-0 w/17 Kos ) completely dominated and destroyed Phil “The Drill” Williams knocking him out in 2:43 of the 3rd round.  In the 3 rounds that the fight lasted George showed that he is starting to evolve into a formidable fighter as his speed, boxing aptitude and shocking power all came together as he executed the big punching Williams with brutal efficiency.  “DA BOMB’s” sharp jab, power combination’s and balanced footwork were just too much for “The Drill” to handle.
 
Gina Iacovou, Cestus Management’s CEO, said, “This really is a big win for Don as (Phil) Williams has fought very good opposition in his career and stopped most of his opponents.  This is the type of performance that let us know that Donovan is ready to take the next step in his boxing career.”
 
Mike Michael, Cestus’ Chief Advisor, said, “ Chicago fans were thrilled tonight and Williams got drilled by “DA BOMB”.  The way he (George) dissected Phil Williams with his fast jabs and combination’s to the head and body; Williams just didn’t stand a chance!”  Michael continued, “I’m ecstatic about Donovan’s performance tonight as he showed that he belongs at the world class levels of boxing.  So lock the doors and run for cover because 2010 is is going to be an explosive year!”.

Peter Manfredo Jr (34,6) over Matt Vanda (42,10) by UD (100,89 / 100,89/ 99,90) in Uncasville Connecticut

Click here to read eastsideboxing.com’s coverage of this fight.

Don George (19,0,1) over Phil Williams (11,3) by third round KO in  Chicago Illinois

Click here to read cyberboxingzone.com’s coverage of this fight.

Ronny Rios (9,0) over Willshaun Boxley (5,4) by UD (59,55 /59,55 / 60,54) in Las Vegas Nevada

Matt Vanda (42,9) vs Peter Manfredo Jr (33,6) Uncasville Connecticut

Phil Williams (11,2) vs Don George (18,0,1)  Chicago Illinois

Willshaun Boxley (5,3) vs Ronny Rios (8,0) Las Vegas Nevada

Don George (right)

Phil “The Drill” Williams (11,2) will be traveling to Chicago Illinois to face Don “Da Bomb” George January 29 at the UIC Pavilion. Williams is looking to get past his loss to Vanda while Don George is looking to continue his path of destruction. George has not yet tasted defeat and out of his 18 fights only 2 have made it to the final bell. Don George was kind enough to take some time to do a quick Q and A with us, below is our conversation.

M….When did you take up boxing and why?

Don George….I started boxing because of my father he was an Amateur boxer who boxed out of Chicago and he introduced me to boxing when  I was 5 and got me hooked. Looking back I remember that when I put my first pair of gloves on, I liked to punch so much that it was a natural thing for me to do. I would finish school and go into our garage and punch the bag practically everyday, which of course made my dad a very happy man.

M….Judging from your record (18,0) with 16 KO’s, you are a heavy hitter. How would you describe your style?

Don George….I am a boxer puncher and I have very good solid boxing skills and great footwork. I know that a lot of people in boxing look at my record and all they see are knockouts and think that I am only a puncher. I love knocking my opponents out its the greatest feeling in the world, but I combine my power with my boxing skills because I know that I can really box……so do not be blinded by my power, Donovan George is the real deal and the complete package.

M….Are there any fighters past or present that you try to pattern yourself after?

Don George….I would never pattern myself after anybody I am Donovan George and I am what I am and the rest of the fighters past or present are who they are. I want to be known for myself as a fighter and to compare myself with other fighters I don’t believe is fair to myself or them.

M….What fighters are must-see for you?

Don George….I grew up watching all of the great fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Muhammad Ali and Diego Corrales these are just a few of my favorites; and of course their are many more. I love Sugar Ray I think he is the greatest fighter of all time and I believe that nobody can compare to him as the total package in boxing he is the man.

Don George landing DA Bomb

M….Da Bomb, I have a pretty good guess of how you got your moniker. When did they start calling you that and how did it come about?

Don George….In Chicago everybody pronounces practically everything with the word “DA”, example of this is; Da Bulls, DaBears etc; and because of my punching power we came up  with “DA BOMB” and it just took of off and now everybody knows that’s me.

M….It’s been said that Phil “The Drill” Williams will be your toughest fight to date, do you feel that is a true statement?

Don George….First I would like to say to everyone that has made these statements that Williams will be my easiest fight, I will dissect him and brutally destroy him. I am on my way to the top and all Williams is doing is helping to get there by showing up for the fight and take a beating and that’s all there is to it. Before this guy agreed to fight me nobody knew who he was, does anybody know who he is outside of where he lives.

M….Have you done much studying of Williams fights?

Don George….I have trained for this fight like I train for all of my fights; like I am fighting for a World Title. There is nothing to study about Williams his record speaks for itself every time he has boxed somebody that can fight he has lost and he will brutally and painfully lose to me on January 29th because as Williams already knows i can really fight.

Don George and Mike Michael

M….How did this fight come to be?

Don George….Cestus Management who is my manager and my promoters Warriors Boxing & 8 Count Productions offered the fight to Williams and he accepted (which was the biggest mistake of his life). I needed to fight someone to stay busy and keep sharp because I like to fight as much as I can, if it was up to me I would fight every week if it was possible.

M….For those coming out to watch you guys go January 29, what can they expect to see?

Don George….I have trained as hard as fighter can possibly train for a fight and I know and understand what I must do to Williams and I will execute our fight plan to the last letter. I will be at my best and put on a super display of boxing combined with bone crushing power that will be to much for Williams, I will give the fans the sensational victory that they want and totally destroy Williams.

I want to also let your readers know that I am sure that Williams has regretted taking the fight against me and has now realized as the fight is getting closer how big of a beating I am going to give him and how bad he is going to lose on January 29th.

 M….Do you have any predictions?

Don George….Williams will lose the fight and find out what it means to fight Donovan George and have “DA BOMB” explode all over him.  

M….Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Don George….I would like to thank everybody for taking the time to read this article and promise everybody that I will be at my best and deliver a hell of a performance and a huge win.

We would like to thank Don George for doing this Q and A with us and Mike Michael for making it happen. For more information on George or Cestus Management click here cestusboxing.com/

Joey Abell, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Sources close to the situation informed me a few days back that there was a chance that Joey Abell would be taking the place of Evander Holyfield in a title fight with Francois “The White Buffalo” Botha (47,4,3) and now it is also posted on Abell’s website among other boxing blogs and sites. Although the fight is not yet a done deal, contracts and terms are not yet finished, the fight looks to be set for February 27 at Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium in Kampala Uganda.

This would be a huge fight for Ice coming off the fiasco that was December 4. Abell had said prior to his fight with Raphael Butler that in 2010 he wanted to be in some higher profile type fights and this would be a nice start. Francois Botha started his professional career in 1990 racking up an impressive record with his only losses coming to premier fighters. His first loss was to Michael Moorer by way of TKO in the 12th round in 1996, his second loss came to Mike Tyson by KO in round 5 of a 10 round contest, Botha then lost to Lennox Lewis by TKO in the 2nd round of a 12 round fight, his only other loss was to current heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in round 8 of a 12 round fight. At 41, Botha has to be making his final push for the top. Joey Abell may have more time, but has said there needs to be some major steps forward in 2010. Lets hope papers get signed and contracts done so Uganda can get some Minnesota Ice.

Zach Walters and team, Courtesy Walters Photography, all rights reserved

The night began with Duluth Mayor Don Ness handing Zach Walters a signed certificate proclaiming January 21, 2010, to be Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters Day and finished with a tribute to the champ. Grandma’s was packed with fans ready to watch some Golden Gloves Boxing in honor of Walters and the amateurs did not let them down. Fighters from; Hortons Gym, Golden-Lakes Brainerd, International Falls, Lincoln Park, Perham, Hibbing, Gary New-Duluth, Lakeside and Moore Boxing Club took part in the Golden Gloves portion. Winston Anderson and Randall Gouge, Jr. probably had the fight of the night with Anderson winning the close contest. After the Golden Gloves fights were over Al Sands had a public workout with TJ Gibson. Sands and Gibson had a spirited workout and Chuck Horton told Gibson there would be a spot for him in Horton’s pro boxing lineup.

As the evening was coming to a close Welcome To the Jungle came screaming from the speakers and Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters and his team made their way through excited fans as he made his final ring entrance. Once in the ring Chuck Horton pointed the crowd to the big screen where some of Walters finer moments were being played. Horton reminded the crowd of Jungle Boy’s many accomplishments and invited his and Zach’s families into the ring as well as team Horton. Pimp James asked the crowd if they were ready to Jungle, and they were.

Golden Gloves results below

Kyle Matuszak (Golden-Lakes)over KodyNordstrom (Hortons)

Ben Halverson (Hortons)over Luke Zontelli (Golden-Lakes)

Larry Sherk (International Falls)over Nick Wasmik (Lincoln Park)

Zack Zontelli (Golden-Lakes)over Joe Hofland (Perham)

Garrett Erickson (Hibbing)over Rick Hatcher (Golden-Lakes)

Cole Wrazidlo (Hortons) over Nathan Scott (Golden-Lakes)

Will Mathews (Gary New-Duluth)over Trevor Marmon (Lakeside)

Winston Anderson (Horton’s) over Randall Gouge, Jr. (Moore Boxing Club)