Thursday Jan. 15th
Grandma’s Sports Garden, Duluth, MN

Horton’s show info

MNBL was at Horton’s last event at Grandma’s. What a great venue for boxing. We were thoroughly entertained with the last show, and we are looking forward to it once again.

In an effort to increase the quality of our site, we will soon have a “store” page. Our plan is to offer a few mnboxingleague T-shirts for sale to help with the expenses of operating this site.  Also, if there are any gyms or boxers who would like to link to items they are selling, please let us know.

MNBL T-shirts soon for sale:

mnboxingleague.com - We take the new out of news

mnboxingleague.com - A day late and a dollar short

mnboxingleague.com - “Boxing,  meet the clown”

There have been a few questions about our interview with Willshaun Boxley that can be answered.

Willshaun’s ambitious goal of 10 fights this year and next. ” Minnesota is my home, I would like to someday bring a title fight to Minnesota.”

Willshaun listed on both January 17 and January 24 fight cards. It is MNBL’s understanding, after talking with Boxley, that he will be fighting on both cards.

The Zach Walters interview is on tape. We had a great conversation, and there is much to go through. Unfortunately I had my truck broken into yesterday, all but assuring Zach’s Interview not being up until the new year.

Jesse Kelley Interview - Jesse, “owner, editor, and writer for Minnesotaboxing.com”, said he would talk to us about his FIVE years of bringing Minnesota boxing news to local fight fans. I am really looking forward to hearing about Jesse’s highlights and maybe some lowlights. I don’t know about you, but if not for Minnesotaboxing.com, I would have been in the dark on much going on in the local boxing scene.

And since our readership has more than doubled over the last month, ” from 3 to 6″, we thought we better come clean. Yes MNBL does have a web crush on Koas.

Todd

“So, growing from 3 to 6 isn’t more than doubling????” Bear

Willshaun fights Torrrence Daniels, (12,7) ranked 13 in his class and trained by Roger Mayweather, on January 24 in Hinckley Minnesota.

I sat down with Willshaun, now ranked 19 in his class nationaly, at a Coffee shop in Coon Rapids Minnesota. Here are some of his thoughts on his upcoming fight as well as a few other tidbits.

What weight will your fight be at?   ”122″

What are your thoughts on Daniels?   ”Pretty sure he’s got skills with his record being (12,7) should be solid opponent, wouldn’t call him a prospect, contender at most. He’s a good guy for me to climb the ranks, good guy to fight, that’s the guy I need to beat. Its a good fight for me.”

What should we expect to see from a Willshaun Boxley fight?   ”I’m passionate about boxing, lots of power, fast, technique, art of boxing. Something different than other Minnesota fighters, no disrespect to other Minnesota fighters. I just like to make it look special, every time there is something the fans have not seen. Always something new, depends whats working, depends on the opponent, when its time to get them out, I will get them out. I like to take time and set up the knockout, the better I look the better the fight.”

Do you go into a fight looking for knock out?   ”I like to finish with a knockout, its like a dunk in basketball. Like chess, a lot of guys try for the king in like three moves, I like to take out their defense, and still have mine. I like to hit and not be hit and make it look good. I can work and move and give power without taking it. 360 degree movement. I will get them out of there.”

This is no slap fighter. We have you ranked as our number one lightweight.   Willshaun laughing, “Thank you.” 

What amateurs should we be looking for?   “Javontae Starks, I told him you got it, just like everyone told me I had it. Jamal James, one of the most technique driven fighters I have met, fundamentally sound. Tony Lee, I like him. I don’t want to miss anyone. Jose Halario, if he gets more serious, hes a good boxer, like Winky Wright. I have a name that is just slipping my tongue.”

Your thoughts on Andy Kolle?   ”Haven’t seen a lot of his fights, he is (17 ,2 ), you have to give respect to that. When Vanda and Kolle fought, it was my pro debut.”

How many fights do you want to have this year?   ”10 this year, 10 next year.”

Willshaun and I sat and talked for over an hour. Boxley’s boxing knowledge is immense, I could have spent the whole day listening to this extremely driven pro. But, given we met the day after Christmas, time was an issue. Not to mention the fact that most people think an hour with me is 59 minutes too long. Willshaun  accepted my invitation to do a interview on Willshaun Boxley, from past to present. Hopefully this can happen in the next few months. I can not wait to watch this talent climb through the ranks. Keep your eyes open to this smart, passionate, driven, combatant.

Todd

Grand Casino Mille Lacs Hinckley, Grand Casino Hinckley

Show info here

We just wanted to let everyone know we will be sitting down with our lightweight champ, Willshaun Boxley, today.  He is going to share his thoughts on his upcoming January bouts. Stay tuned for more information on Seconds Out Promotions January shows.

We apologize for our lack of new content during this Holiday season. Trust, come the new year, we will get back to frequent updates as well as bringing you as many interviews as we can. Thank you for your patience with Minnesota’s newest fight blog.

Take a peak at our Coming Soon page for upcoming interviews.

MNBL

Wishing safe travels and cherished memories.

MNBL

There is a great piece about Zach Walters in the Dec. 18 edition of the Reader. Walters won Reader’s “Readers Choice Best Athlete of 2008.” The article is writen by Laura Zink.

As I prepare for my first interview, yes, my first interview. I just wanted to share a little about myself and how it applies to Zach Walters. I have always been a, “root for the underdog”, kind of guy. I have usually had different favorites in sport teams, golfers, boxers,….. than most of my circle of friends. All of my favorite teams are Chicago Illinois based, those were my dads teams therefore mine. I tell you this because I have not always been a fan of Jungle Boy. It was just natural to root for the underdog in his fights, go against the grain. I happened to be working out at Horton’s gym in the very beginning of Zach’s professional boxing career. Even though I could not believe how nice this talented boxer was, I had to go against the grain. As time has gone on, and more has been written about Walters my admiration for this young man continued to grow. Never a bad word have I heard for this Duluth pro. I am fairly certain most reading this know the incredible story of Zach Walters and his journey from youth to fine young man. He is not shy about crediting his success as well as setbacks to God’s plan. His humility and example are a shining light as to what a Christian should be. So please don’t be surprised to see us dive a little into Zach’s Christian walk, I believe and I think Zach would agree, that without his Christian walk, he would not be a part of boxing talk. Now, I am not bashful to say, I am a big fan of, the boxer, the MAN,  Zach Walters.

Teaser

Zach’s favorite hobby - “Bee Keeping”, gives new meaning to, “floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee”.

God - “I believe He has plans for my life and that everything that happens to me is part of that plan. It’s reassuring.”

Other job - “I work as an assistant counselor and a detox technician at The Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment (CADT).”

Todd

Coming soon update

Zach Walters Interview - have done pre interview, will sit down with the champ Tuesday Dec. 23

Gary Eyer Interview - said he would do, but we have not nailed down a time yet. With all of Gary’s new responsibilities, his interview may be pushed to a little later in the new year.

I have many irons in the fire and will update soon.