Photo Courtesy of SnapLocally.com
Taken from JoeyAbell.com
ABELL/BUTLER HISTORY
2002 Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Match
Abell wins a TKO over Butler in round 2
ABELL/BUTLER COMMON OPPONENTS
Rhode ABELL - KO Rd 1 BUTLER - KO Rd 2
Monaco ABELL - TKO Rd 4 BUTLER - DQ Rd 4
Ellis ABELL - TKO Rd 3 BUTLER - TKO Rd 2
Aravena ABELL - TKO Rd 1 BUTLER - UD Rd 4
Cleage ABELL - KO Rd 2 BUTLER - TKO Rd 1
People are taking notice of this fun card because of all the heavyweight fireworks that should happen. Joey Abell (25,4) vs Raphael Butler (34,8) is sure to please. But the undercard is also loaded with well matched fights that could steal the show. We will be going through some of these match-ups throughout this week leading up to Friday night’s fireworks. We also plan to have some interviews with the contestants of this highly anticipated event. (We had an interview lined up with Zach Walters by Laura Zink, but Walters decided he wanted his actions in the ring to do the talking.) Below is one of the fights that could steal the show.
Gary "Stone Cold" Eyer ready to unload.
VS
Levi Cortes unloading, courtesy SnapLocally.com
Gary “Stone Cold” Eyer (6,0,1) is looking to silence some of his critics. While having an undefeated record there are those that have said he has not fought anybody yet. His biggest wins have come against Scott Robinson, he did that in back to back fights. Eyer has not yet faced and opponent with a winning record, this Friday he gets his chance against fellow undeated fighter, Levi Cortes (3,0). For Cortes’s part, he has faced the stiffer of competition in his three fights.
I have had the pleasure of watching most of Eyer’s fights while only catching Levi Cortes’s most recent bout. What I have been told and saw for myself about Cortes, is that he is one tough customer. The time I did see Levi in action, he was non stop in your face and throwing with bad intentions on almost every exchange. After that fight I turned to Laura Zink and told her I cant wait to see this guy again. December 4th I get my wish, and its against another fighter that is must see for me.
Gary Eyer has more slickness to his game than his opponent, but is not afraid to stand in front and pick his guy apart. Eyer has some of the sweetest chopping body shots in the state and I think they will be on full display on Minnesota’s greatest stage. The styles of these two combatants make for sure entertainment in the ring when they square off. Look for Cortes to be on the attack from start to finish while Eyer uses his superior boxing skills to get angles and chop down his attacking foe. This is my pick to be fight of the night, don’t be surprised to see 6 full rounds of action.
Below is a review of our Joey Abell and Raphael Butler coverage from 2009.
Courtesy of SnapLocally photography, all rights reserved
Jan. 18
Joey Abell looked to be in the shape of his career. He was lean, with washboard abs. Imagine that, a heavy in tremendous shape. He made quick work of Derek Amos. It kind of looked like Amos had lost the fight before it had started. Listening to the people around me, and considering my own experience, I don’t know that I have witnessed such heavy jabs, yes jabs. Now I will be the first to admit, I have not seen a lot of Joey’s fights, but if he would attack other foes the way he went after Derek Amos, I don’t know who could even put up a competitive show against him in Minnesota.
Feb 12. Joey Abell, The future may be here.
Feb 14.
(W)Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell…vs…(L)Marcus Rhode (6 rounds heavyweights)
Joey brought the WOW and JAB. Abell was just too much for Rhode and ended it in the first. It seemed once Marcus Rhode felt Joey’s power, he was done.
April 5.
Joey Abell (Ko round 1) over Galen Brown - Stalk, Stalk, Stalk. BAM! A straight left followed by a flurry of punches sent Galen half way through the ropes. I don’t know that I have witnessed live, a more vicious one punch knockout in boxing. The flurry was just instinct by Joey as Galen was falling.
May 14.
An interesting piece about the heavyweight division was brought to my attention and I thought I would share. The article talks about the changes in the division from years gone by and how those like Joey Abell fit in to its future. From thesweetscience.com, check it out here.
June 14
Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell over Larry White by second round TKO
Round one saw Joey stalking White around the ring landing huge shots. He was throwing hooks, uppercuts, straight lefts, and yes, the POWER JAB. Minnesota Ice was showing great movement as well in avoiding almost all of Larry Whites attempts to return fire. Round two started with Joey racing to White and engaging in much the same way as round one. This time White was able to return some blows back at the man of steel. Just when it looked like we had a fight on our hands, Joey upped the power, speed, and punch rate. From where I sat it looked like a huge uppercut ended the fight, but there were many blows prior. White was hurt and the ref saw no reason for this bout to go on. I know I keep saying it, but Joey always brings the WOW and the JAB, and last night he showed so much more. Heavy’s across the land beware, The Ice Man Cometh.
July 14 Joey Abell interview
Sept. 13
Raphael Butler over
Marcus Rhode (TKO 1:30 of round 1) - An hour or so prior to this fight Joey Abell and Raphael Butler met in the ring to talk about their announced showdown November 20 at the Mpls Convention Center. Butler asked the Rochester crowd who was going to win the battle of Minnesota’s best heavy’s, and they answered loudly. Butler’s Brigade sees a big win coming November 20. The fight between Butler and Rhode went as I am sure most thought. Butler controlled the action with superior movement and power. He had Rhode on the mat from a body blow in the first, and then TKO ed him at 1:30 of the second round.
Oct. 30
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.
Zach Walters, Courtesy Walters Photography
As we predicted a few weeks back December 4th’s fight between Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters and Larry “Razor” Sharpe just got way more interesting. Coming off the Press Release from yesterday and comments made by team Horton, it looks like a win for Walters puts him in one of the biggest fights that can be made in Minnesota. Zach Walters vs Matt Vanda could come as soon as January where MSC has a date at the Target Center. Minnesota is boxing!
In other news Boris “The Russian Giant” (6,1) has a new opponent, he will now be facing Emerson Chasing Bear (4,0,1).
December 4, Target Center, Abell/Butler for the MN Heavyweight Title. Walters/Sharpe - a win for Walters could mean Matt Vanda. Plus much more.
For Immediate Release
THE PREDATOR HAS THE JUNGLE BOY IN HIS SIGHTS
Matt Vanda Wants Zach Walters in Early 2010
Matt Vanda
Coming off of an impressive win over Phil “The Drill” Williams, seen by thousands of regional fans on Fox Sports North, Matt “The Predator” Vanda is ready to move on with his career and he isn’t looking for a tune up.
“I want Zach Walters,” exclaimed the super middleweight star from the East side of St. Paul, MN. “Walters didn’t want to fight Phil Williams. I stepped up and beat his rival. It’s time for Zach and his trainer Chuck Horton to put up or shut up. We got a date in January in Minneapolis and if he wants it he can come get it.”
Walters, who fights out of Duluth, MN, is the current light heavyweight champion of Minnesota and has a fight next week at the Target Center against Larry Sharpe of Winnipeg, MB. “If he wins, we can get it done. My people will call his people before that. Let’s see if they answer the phone.”
Vanda vs. Walters could be one of the biggest fights Minnesota has seen in several years. Vanda, who has long been the main draw in the Twin Cities, would be matching up with someone who has a comparable following in Duluth. Walters has reportedly drawn thousands of fans in the Twin Ports over the last couple of years. Can this fight get done or will Vanda be left looking in another direction? Only time will tell.
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Jesse Barbot had his last professional fight this past October 23. In the fight he suffered a blow to the head that resulted in a severe blood clot. Jesse had to have major surgery and spent several days in the hospital recuperating. Now Jesse is outpatient and still doing therapy. Unfortunately with his ongoing treatment, Jesse will not be able to go back to work until the neurologist thinks it is safe and he is ready.
Jesse Barbot’s benefit is to help his family with medical expenses and other costs while he is unable to work.
The benefit is being held at the Casselton City Auditorium on Saturday, November 28, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided (chili, baked potato, and dessert) for a free-will offering! We’ll also have a silent auction and bake sale.
Monetary donations may be given through Wells Fargo Bank, Attn: Jesse Barbot Benefit Account, 2501 13th Ave. S., Fargo ND 58103
Jesse Barbot lives in Casselton, ND with his wife, Jenny, and 2 children, Oscar and Summer.
Many of us have had the pleasure of watching Jesse in the ring or cage, now we can give back. Please join in the giving spirit of the Holidays to help the Barbot family work through this tough time.
FSN will be replaying the Vanda/Williams card from Nov. 13 tonight at 8:30PM.
Matt Vanda and Phil Williams, Courtesy SnapLocally.com
Update: Target Center in January for Kolle / Truax? mndaily.com
The full press release details Truax’s victory last Friday. Below is the portion we have been waiting to hear.
Truax and his team have stated that they will now set their sights on a bout with Andy Kolle that would establish Minnesota middleweight supremacy.
“We are eyeing the match up”, said promoter Tony Grygelko. “It is a big fight locally and Caleb is up for it, so now it’s up to Team Kolle to accept the challenge.”
Nothing stirs the imagination of fight fans like a heavyweight showdown, this card has two. There are a combined 84 knockouts between the four big fellas entering the ring. On top of that, there is the return to the Target Center by Minnesota’s light heavyweight champ, Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters, who has 19 KO’s of his own. Judging from the crowds at the last couple shows, you may want to grab your tickets sooner rather than later. Below is the fight card.
Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell (25,4) vs Raphael “The Silencer” Butler (35,8)- Minnesota’s two best Heavyweights vie for the Title. All but one of Abell’s wins have come by way of knockout and Butler has 28 of his own. You like power, you like KO’s, you’ll love this one.
Zach “Jungle Boy” Walters (24,4) vs Larry “Razor” Sharpe (23,7) - Minnesota’s light heavyweight champ takes on Canada’s Larry Sharpe.
Travis Walker (33,3,1) vs Yevgeniy Shishporenok (6,1)- Another heavyweight bout. Walker has 27 KO’s and Boris “The Russian Giant” has KO’s in 5 of his 6 wins. This should be a fun one.
Ronnie Peterson (3,0) vs Tomi Archambault (0,1) - This fight has revenge written all over it. When Peterson and Archambault first met October third, Tomi originally was giving the victory even though Ronnie had him down two times in a four round fight. North Dakota’s boxing commission reviewed the tapes and judges score cards and made that one a no contest. You can bet Archambault wants to get that W back and Peterson wants to leave no doubt as to who the better man is.
Gary Eyer (6,0,1) vs Levi Cortes (3,0)- This one just might take the night. Levi Cortes is a tough non stop fighter while Eyer isn’t going to back down from anyone. Look for fireworks and body shots. I really think this could turn into fight of the night.
Dave Peterson (11,0) vs Silas Ortley (4,7) - The Prodigy looks to stay unbeaten.
Saverino Garcia (0,0,1) vs Allante Davis (0,3) - One of these guys will leave with a W on their record.
I also believe Tony Lee is on this card facing Hector Orozco but this fight is not listed yet.
