Levi Cortes, courtesy SnapLocally.com

Below is Gary “Stone Cold” Eyer’s portion of the October 27 press conference  at the Target Center.  I must say this is our favorite of the three clips .

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The commission found that after reviewing the fight between Ronnie Peterson and Tomi Archambault, there were errors made in scoring the bout. All records for the fight held October 3 in Minot ND will show this fight as a no contest. I have gotten correspondence from some of Archambault’s supporters who think that he had won the fight even with having been knocked down twice in  four rounds. I can understand their feeling, but I definitely side with North Dakota’s Athletic Commissioners decision. I just cant get past the two knock downs in a four round fight and how it could be scored any other way than a victory for Ronnie Peterson. Its nice to see that they took care of what seemed to me as an obvious mistake. The beautiful part for both Peterson and Archambault is that they get to settle the score December 4 at the Target Center on the undercard to Abell vs Butler. Ronnie Peterson boxrec

Abell (25,4) and Butler (35,8) discuss their upcoming fight December 4 at the Target Center. This fight is also for the Minnesota Heavyweight Title.

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As I stated before my recording of the press conference was a complete failure. Fortunately Laura Zink was taking video for her records and she was willing to share with us. We will be posting Joey Abell and Raphael Butler tomorrow.

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Phil ” The Drill” Williams has been ready to take on the best since, well, since his first fight. It has been well documented that Williams has tried to get in the ring with Minnesota’s light heavyweight champ “Jungle boy” Zach Walters since turning pro. Even in his recent interview before last Saturday’s Wild game, he had a quip for Walters.(MinnesotaBoxing.com has video of that interview up on their site.  ) But make no mistake Williams knows he has one of his toughest fights to date November 13 against the Predator.

Phil Williams, Courtesy of SnapLocally.com

Many disagree with me, but I find it incredibly refreshing to see a guy who just wants to be in there with the best. There is no wonder Williams snapped at the chance to fight Minnesota’s most popular fighter Matt Vanda. As reported by Laura Zink a few months back, Phil Williams has looked up to Vanda for a very long time even saying he has been inspired by him as a pro.

I have only been covering Minnesota boxing for close to a year now, but there has been a couple constants in regards to the Drill. He wants to fight in the main event, and he wants to fight the best. Unfortunately for Williams, much of the time it has been the best a given promoter could afford to put in with him. You see, Phil Williams has never been a promotions top guy due to circumstance or his want to be in control of his own career. Again, as a fan, you kind of have to love that.

Williams complete honesty in his wants has put off some. Mainly those who like to follow the normal path for young boxers. There is a feeling in the boxing community that it is wrong to call out the best until you have reached a certain amount of fights, or until you have the full backing from a promotion. I have heard plenty of people say that Williams has not earned the right to call out anyone. I think from a fans perspective, they strongly disagree. With information on records and fights so easily accessible by pretty much anyone, large records don’t hold nearly the same meaning they may have years back. Its easy to look at a list of opponents and find out their age, their wins, their losses, and so on. I feel the Phil Williams way, just might be the way of the future. He may be ahead of his time, but Phil “The Drill” Williams will be fighting one of Minnesota’s best November 13 on FSN. Not bad for a guy who just wants to fight the best.

Phil “The Drill” Williams vs Matt “The Predator” Vanda November 13 at Hinckley Grand Casino and will be aired on FSN.

Truax will be on onthegrindboxing.com internet radio show. The show starts at 7PM central. Be sure to check it out.

Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell has some great stuff up on his site in regards to his super showdown with Raphael “The Silencer” Butler. Click here for JoeyAbell.com

Tony Lee (center), Raphael Butler (right), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Yesterday’s press conference didn’t have some of the theatre that many do. This was a group of fighters with genuine respect for each other. From all I have read and heard, both Abell and Butler think very highly of the other. I taped the whole press conference as well as conversations with the promoters, some fighters, and Duane Bobick. Lets just say I need to go digital. My 1970’s technology has allowed me to only have a few exact quotes. The rest I will try and relay as accurately as possible.

I asked both Abell and Butler what they thought this fight would do for its winner. Butler responded by saying he hoped both guys would have big things lined up after this fight. Joey Abell looked very serious as he stated “I haven’t thought beyond this fight. One fight at a time”.

Raphael Bulter, Courtesy SnapLocaly.com

When asked if he thought if his fight would end with a KO, Butler responded, “Look at the knock out ratio for both fighters”

Joey Abell, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Joey’s response to the question of whether or not the fight will go ten, “I will be in shape for 20 rounds, but I don’t think it goes ten.”

Zach Walters, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Zach Walters in his usual way showed his excitement and enthusiasm at his chance to fight at the Target Center. Unfortunately my tape did not catch any of it.

Tony Lee was asked about his pro debut at Target Center, “Long time coming”. Lee’s presence there seemed to drum up some extra excitement.

Gary Eyer, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Gary Eyer was asked if the martial arts played any role in his fighting style and he said he watched it when ever it was on.

Duane Bobick, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

The great Duane Bobick was on hand as well. He talked a little about his fights with Scott LeDoux and that he thought the fight between Joey Abell and Raphael Butler could surprise people and go all ten rounds. He also stated during the press conference as well as in an interview with me that he thought heart would play a huge role in who comes out on top. He also pointed out that who ever can make adjustments should win.

I plan on getting more up from the conversations had yesterday. Look for more from Bobick as well as what Ronnie Peterson had to say about his fight later in the week.

For more information or to buy tickets click here.

There are several articles out there right now about Caleb Truax. I tried to put in links to the two stories I read today but was unable, one is at boxingscene.com and the other at doghouseboxing.com. Both were good reads, and the author of the doghouseboxing story seemed to be making some comparisons to another Golden one. Truax fights for a belt November 20th at the St. Paul Armory.

Today was the press conference for Joey Abell vs Raphael Butler taking place December 4th at the Target Center. I will be posting quotes later today or tomorrow. Remember, tickets are now on sale, you are not going to want to miss what happens when more than 500 pounds of muscle collide.

Joey Abell and Raphael Butler, Courtesy SnapLocally.com