Photo Courtesy of Walters Photography, all rights reserved

A fight between Andy Kolle and Matt Vanda was prematurely announced a couple days ago. This lead to a string of emails between managers and promoters. Chuck forwarded the email chain and asked that I share the story. Normally this isn’t my cup of tea, but after reading through the emails I felt the story must be told for a couple of reasons:

1. Andy Kolle is Minnesota’s Middleweight Champion, having beat Anthony Bonsante in March, and already beating Matt Vanda by a UD a year and a half ago.

2. Andy Kolle and Team Horton are not afraid to face off with Vanda again, but need to be given the respect that has been earned by beating both Vanda and Bonsante in the last two years. Andy Kolle is the champ and the much higher ranked fighter. Respect should be given.

Courtesy Walters Photography, all rights reserved

Chuck Horton wants it to be known that he is willing to work with the Target Center in the future and that this whole thing started with Bob Stein’s misguided announcement. Vanda’s management doesn’t seem to think they need Kolle. Options are many for Kolle’s next move, although he would have liked to beat Vanda a second time, he would also like to try out 154 as previously reported.

Chuck Horton…. “I have been very willing to work through this. I would welcome an opportunity to bring Andy Kolle to the Target Center. In these tough economic times we don’t want to see good fights fall through the cracks. But Bob Stein has insulted Andy Kolle and in doing so, insulted Matt Vanda as well. Behind the scenes guys have no business disrespecting fighters who actually box in the ring. I have made a reasonable list of things that need to happen in order for this fight to get done. I am hopeful all parties involved can work together to get it done. For Cory Rapacz at the Midwest Sports Council to go on and on about how they are businessmen and do things professionally, they sure have not shown us this courtesy. The real loser in this whole situation is the Target Center. Matt Vanda’s fans and Andy Kolle fans will drive to see that fight at a number of  great venue possibilities. I know Matt Vanda and Andy Kolle have earned their right to expect certain things, they are real men and have proven so in the ring. Cory Rapacz and Bob Stein have disrespected me and the fighters involved, I wonder if they would talk with such disrespect eye to eye.”

Chuck Horton…. “Andy Kolle will now have his next bout June 18 in Duluth. That is Grandma’s marathon week and a great time for people to check out Minnesota’s Champ. We have crowds of 1,500 people for our amateur shows at Grandmas and tickets are flying out the door for the May 21 professional  bout. We look forward to continuing to put on great shows with Minnesota’s best fighters. We have big plans for Andy Kolle, Zach Walters and all of our pros.”

I was also able to speak with Justin Seurer, owner of MSC, and he told me negotiations are ongoing and he does not wish to discuss until all things are finalized.

I have also been informed that up until some very recent correspondence Chuck Horton was willing to wait on sharing how things transpired.

Todd

M…. How old were you when you started boxing?

Corey….  ”About 3 years old. My Father had a couple sets of leather mittens. We would glove-up and he would get on his knees and teach me to box.  Later my Father took me to Glover’s gym in Camden, I was 10 years old.”
 
M…. When was your first amateur bout?

Corey…. ”My First amateur bout was at 106 lbs at the age of 11. It was the State Junior Olympic tournament. I fought Kenny Kost, and was stopped in the second round due to body shots.”
 
M…. What was your amateur record?

Corey…. ”71-14″
 
M…. Who got you into boxing?

Corey…. ”My Father”
 
M…. You had announced your retirement last year, what’s got you wanting back in?

Corey…. ”I retired last year because I did not have the focus or time for boxing. For the last 9 months I have been in a custody battle over my Daughter and non-biological Son. I have struggled in a biased and broken court system. As of lately I have been making progress in the proceedings. I will continue to work for “what is right” for my children, and in the meantime I continue to train. When these court proceedings are over, I will have exhausted every penny to my name, including every bit of energy in my body. However, I am optimistic and look forward to the overall decision and plan to move forward in life without the obstacles of “the delirious significant other.”

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

Corey…. ”At least 4 fights. I will be ready by June.”
 
M…. Have you kept in shape while away?

Corey…. ”I have stayed in decent shape and started lifting weights last year. I plan on returning to boxing in the light middleweight division.”
 
M…. What fighters do you look up to?

Corey…. ”I don’t have a particular fighter that I look up to. I do like to watch boxing and learn different things from all fighters.”
 
M…. Who would you say your style most resembles?

Corey…. ”I couldn’t tell you. I often have to make adjustments in the ring to the guy that I am fighting. Being a well rounded boxer/fighter is more important to me then anything. I usually set the pace in a fight, however there are times when I have to take a different approach.”
 
M…. Is there anything you would like to add?

Corey….  “I am 29 years young. I was absent from the game 7 years and came back to compete on the highest amateur level and did well. I am a 3 time Upper Midwest Golden Gloves champion. I have had a total of 4 professional fights with many more to come.”

I would like to thank Corey for allowing us the opportunity to get to know him a little better.

Todd

We have a planned interview with Chuck Horton this week to get the latest on this event.

From boxrec.com

	division	boxer	W-L-D		opponent	W-L-D
		light welterweight	Gary Eyer	5-0-1	SC	?		6
	bout subject to commission approval / change
		light middleweight	Dave Peterson	9-0-0	SC	Joshua Rodriguez	4-7-0	6
	bout subject to commission approval / change
		welterweight	RJ Laase	4-0-0	SC	Hector Orozco	0-1-0	4
	bout subject to commission approval / change
		heavyweight	Yevgeniy Shishporenok	6-1-0	SC	Rocky Graziano Jr	4-1-0	4
	bout subject to commission approval / change
		cruiserweight	Jorey Olson	0-0-0	SC	Anthony Wallace	0-0-0	4
	Both boxers debut. bout subject to commission approval / change

from philadelphiaboxingreport.com

Click Picture to read article

As most would probably have guessed, Zach Walters, Andy Kolle, Caleb Truax, and Phil Williams were the names mentioned most. After posting the question originally, I obviously didn’t know my limitations. This is why I am posting results now. I will be honest, these are not scientific and most definitely are not exact. Bear is close to worthless and I am having trouble keeping up. All that being said, the only fight we will rank is the one most given, Zach Walters vs Phil Williams. The Midwest Sports Council has taken care of a couple of the most wanted fights already, and it looks like aside from Walters/Williams, thoughts are many for instate match ups.

1. Zach Walters vs Phil Williams - I would again like to point out that June 5 will help to see if this fight makes sense.

The rest in no particular order.

* Andy Kolle vs Kenny Kost

* Andy Kolle vs Caleb Truax

* Andy Kolle vs Matt Vanda

* Jason Litzau vs Wilton Hilario

* Joey Abell vs Raphael Butler

* Caleb Truax vs Kenny Kost

I only posted the ones with more than one mention. Next time I do something like this I will be better prepared. Thank you to those who sent in your ideas. Some of the reasoning for the fights were excellent, and I again apologize for not being able to be as thorough as I had hoped I would be able to be. If you would like your idea posted with reasons for fight send me another message giving me the green light to publish your email.

I had never heard of Omega Boxing before last Saturday at the Target Center. MNboxingleague.com does not necessarily agree with Don Omega’s views. But I did find some of the information interesting.

This is worth watching to see Phil Williams talk about Zach Walters and Jaidon Codrington. At the time he had not yet signed to fight Codrington. Side note, I don’t think Zach Walters would duck anyone in Minnesota. Walters is itching to get back in the ring at his new weight class.

Below is Omega’s take on Vanda/ Tocker.

I agree that “Unfinished Business” was a highly entertaining night of fights. I fully enjoyed every bout. While I too think  that Tocker won the fight, I have heard some very good arguments on the contrary, from some people who know a lot more about boxing than I. I have heard 5 rounds to 3 rounds in favor of Vanda because of meaningful punches. While I don’t think Vanda deserved anything more than a draw, I don’t have as big of a problem with the decision as I had right after the fight.

Todd

from joeyabell.com

ARRON LYONS OUT OF SPRING FLING

Once again, Arron Lyons has withdrawn his name from a rematch with ICE.

Billy Willis (12-13) will step in for Lyons.

Joey still has his May 27 date in Sweden listed on his site as well.

Again, comments are off, I will not moderate them. Use contact page for your input. The person who has caused the huge influx is gone, the rest seem to agree with the ones left up. If you still want to be heard just send me an email through contact page.

I will not be going through comments, there are too many to moderate and curse words are never allowed. Please send comments or fight bout list using contact page. I already have gotten a number of them and for the most part they are looking like great ideas.

Todd

We have received a number of emails wondering why this fighter wont fight that fighter. We have also gotten them offering up suggestions as to what would make for good bouts. There have even been boxers contacting us to see how they can get on some of the recent shows. Now is your chance to build your dream card. Send us your dream match ups, preferably instate fighters, but at a minimum, at least one of the fighters in each bout must be fighting out of Minnesota. Please also send along reason for each bout and why it makes sense. We will go through each email and will post the most popular bouts. Below is an example of some of the more popular suggestions. Give us your thoughts here.

Zach Walters vs Phil Williams- Lets see how Phil does June 5 in Hinckley.

Courtesy Walters Photography, all rights reserved

Zach Walters vs Caleb Truax- Caleb is at Zach’s new wished weight class. Argueably the two biggest fan bases in the state.

Caleb Truax vs Kenny Kost - Fight for the right to have a shot at Kaos

Photo Courtesy of Walters Photography, all rights reserved

Cerresso Fort vs Jon Schmidt -

Jason Litzau vs Wilton Hilario - Both Jason and Wilton looked great last time out.

Wilshaun Boxley vs Allen Litzau - Saw this one on a forum and liked the idea.

Kolle vs Vanda -???

What Say You?

Bear

“How about Bear vs Boris “The Russian Giant”, I would pay big bucks for that.”  Todd

from bismarcktribune.com

By Pudwill’s estimation, he won six of eight rounds. Commentators on the internet pay-per-view telecast, including Anthony Bonsante - a former opponent of both Pudwill and Vanda - had Pudwill taking five rounds.

Internet accounts also had Pudwill dominating the early to middle rounds. Pudwill said both Vanda and his cornermen told him he won. But Vanda, who is from Minneapolis, swayed the judges.

“It was a hometown decision,” Pudwill said. “… There was no way I thought they could take it away from me on a decision.”

 

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