Caleb Truax (left), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Minnesota’s own version of last man standing has been going strong over the last year and “Golden” Caleb Truax isn’t going to miss his chance at entering the mix. The last 13 months have been filled with the best MN fighters going after each other in an effort to separate from the rest. Well, April 23 will be the next installment of  BIG MN vs MN fights. “Golden” Caleb Truax(14,0) will be taking on one of Minnesota’s most dangerous punchers in Phil “The Drill” Williams (11,3). Truax took some time to answer a few questions about his fight with The Drill as well as some other topics below.

 
M….I know you had to take a little time away from boxing because of the cut you suffered in your last fight in November, how are you feeling?

 
Truax….I feel great! I’ve had plenty of time to prepare for this fight and have had no problems with my eye. I’m ready to get busy!

 
 
M….Your fight with Kerry Hope was great! What are your thoughts on that fight now?

Truax….I think it was a great learning experience for me. I had to push myself in a hard 10rd fight with a good opponent.

 
M….I have become accustom to seeing your name on various magazines and websites, how does it feel to be getting some out of state attention?

Truax….I don’t pay too much attention to all that stuff. It obviously helps with exposure but you know what they say, don’t read your own headlines.

 
M….Last I heard, your fight with Phil Williams will be at 164lbs max, what weight do you see your future at in boxing?

Truax….Middleweight

 
M….There are a few fighters here in Minnesota who have a large vocal following. You are one of those guys, what do you think has helped you get such great fans?

Truax….Well alot of those people you hear screaming at my fights aren’t my fans, they’re my friends I grew up with who still support me today. As far as my fans go I think I’m just a people person. I’m very approachable and treat people with respect and I get that respect and support in return.

 
M….I have heard rumbles from fans who would like to see you fight Matt Vanda. I know you guys not only share a gym, but also have the same trainer, is this a fight that just cant happen?

 
Truax….Matt is a great dude and has helped me tremendously with my career, that being said, I think its a fight that could happen soon. We’ve talked about it with one another and both agree that if it makes $$$, it makes sense.

 
M….Your fight with The Drill was on many fans wish lists, were you involved in making it or were you told he was the man you would be fighting?

Truax….I wanted a big in-state fight and Kost and Kolle didn’t work out and we knew Phil would step up so Tony G put it together.

M….What are your thoughts on Phil Williams? Will he be the biggest puncher you have been in with to date?

Truax….I have nothing but respect for Phil because thats all he has shown me. I know his power is nothing to under estimate and I guess we’ll see on the 23rd if he’s the most powerful I’ve been in with.

 
M….What sort of fight are you expecting April 23?

Truax….I expect to control the fight. This is my 1st fight fight in a while in which I know exactly what to expect coming in. No opponent changes, plenty of film to watch. I’ve prepared well and am ready for Phil.

 
 
M….Do you have your sites set on any road fights in the near future?

Truax….Right now we are building up steam here in MN and trying to grow my fan base so I don’ mind if I have more fights here at home. I definitely would like to get back on the road in the near future though.

 
M….How would you describe your relationship with your trainer Ron Lyke?

Truax…..(Ron-manager, Tom Halstad-trainer, Jim Maurine-cutman)

I have a tight relationship with my entire team. I have been with everyone I am with today since day 1. I think its rare in boxing that a fighter trusts and is friends with his entire team. Ron is my manager and I trust him to lead my career in the right direction as he has so far. Tom Halstad is my trainer and I feel the same way about him. Along with my cutman/punching bag Jim Maurine and promoter Tony G, we are all ready to take this thing to the next level.

 
M…. Where do you expect to see yourself a year from now in your boxing career?

Truax….Unbeaten and becoming a household name in MN sports.

M…. Thanks for giving us some time, is there anything you would like to add?

Truax….Thank you for your time and to all my friends and fans: thank you and come check me out April, 23 at the Saint Paul Armory. It will be a great fight!

“Golden” Caleb Truax vs Phil “The Drill” Williams, Friday, April 23, St. Paul Armory.

Here are some prior interviews we have had with Caleb Truax.

4-1-09 Caleb Truax

9-19-09 Caleb Truax

Tony Grygelko (second from left), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

M….Seconds Out Promotions has been very busy the last couple years, how hard has it been putting so many shows together?

Tony Grygelko…. Our team has put a tremendous amount of hard work in over the years and there has been struggles along the way but we have never stopped our progression towards becoming not just the best fight promotion in the Midwest but to be considered one of the best in the world. Our endeavor has been no different than any other company trying to make it in this volatile economy and we have been able to keep growing because we understand that in today’s market you need to be innovative and have the ability to change the mold of the industry that you are working in. We have branched into promoting hybrid events which have included both boxing and MMA, along with launching into the MMA market as a whole. We have provided true value to our fighters that we have represented and most of all, we have provided our fan base with some of the most exciting events that Minnesota has ever seen.

 
M…..You are now quite active in MMA as well as boxing. I am a fan of both sports but that does not always seem to be the case with boxing fans and MMA fans, why do you think that is? And do you thinking working with both sports helps fans from the other to gain more understanding and enjoyment from each combat sport?

Tony Grygelko…. What I see with MMA is a younger age demographic that has a hunger for a high impact and fast paced sport to fill their entertainment needs and that is exactly what MMA  brings them but I think we have witnessed a big change in the fight fans over the year. By exposing the younger demographic to the sport of boxing we have created a more complete fight fan who comes to both of our events to enjoy the explosive matchups. 

 
M….What is the story with Joey Abell’s fight in Africa, is that fight still happening?

Tony Grygelko…. It sure is! We just signed the contract yesterday and the fight will now be taken place on May 29th.
 

M….I have talked with several fighters who have felt Abell’s power and they all confirm it to be world class, what do you see in Joey Abell’s future?

Tony Grygelko….  I think Joey has all of the attributes to become a champion and his power is like nothing most people in boxing have ever seen but I the most over looked skill that Joey has is his speed. There is nobody in boxing today that is as big as Joe that can match his hand speed.

 
M….”Golden” Caleb Truax, what comes to mind?

Tony Grygelko….  Total package!! Not just a the total package of a boxing champion but the total package of a amazing person. He dedication to self improvement is what makes him very special. The kid is truly “Golden”!

 
M…. I along with many others have noticed Truax’s rapid growth over the last year, what do you attribute that to?

Tony Grygelko….  It’s because he understands that he is only as good as the people he surrounds himself with. He has great people in his corner that make consistent efforts to help him and Caleb understands the value of them. When I say people in his corner I don’t just mean his management or his trainers, it’s also his family, friends, and most of all his fans!

 
M….I thought Kerry Hope was a great victory for Truax, what are your thoughts from that fight and Kerry Hope as a fighter?

Tony Grygelko…. I think we saw exactly what we wanted to see. Caleb was in a tough fight that challenged him to learn after each round, that’s the type of fights you need are building towards a championship.  Kerry Hope could have beaten any other middleweight in the state that night, he just happened to run into the best of them all.

M….You guys answered many a fans request by putting on Truax vs Williams, how did this fight come together?

Tony Grygelko….  Well Caleb and Phil are in my mind the best middleweights in the state. I know Phil has struggled over his last couple of fights but he has now found a new focus and I believe we are going to see a new Phil Williams on April 23rd.

 
M….What do you see this fight doing for its winner?

Tony Grygelko….Well I would love to see Kolle step up and fight either one of these fighters. I don’t think he could last one round with fighters that possess the power that both Caleb and Phil have. Remember the Paul Williams fight!!! I really don’t think that fight will happen so I think the winner of the April 23 fight will look to get out on the national scene.

M….Do you have the rest of the card rounded out? Or any hints as to what other fights we may see?

Tony Grygelko….Well we had Marcus LeVesseur and Mike Richman slated to compete in MMA action but they had the UFC tryouts and well let’s just say they won’t be able to fight on the 23rd.  As for the boxing we are looking to put Jon, Charles, and Ismail to a test. We are also happy to announce that we will have Antwon Robertson and Derek Winston on the card. Both these fighters are original products of Lyke’s Boxing Gym.

M….The last couple of years have been quite active in Minnesota boxing, how do you see boxing in our state?

Tony Grygelko….I think we rate up there with some of the most active states. We certainly have the talent and the fans to be considered the best state of boxing. Hell we are the Midwest right? As my good friend Roger Mayweather always says… The best fighters come from the Midwest!

M….What are some things you think Minnesota boxing fans have to look forward to?

Tony Grygelko…. Well lets all come out and support the two best Middleweights in the state on April 23 and at that event I have a real big announcement to make for June!

M…. How would you rate Minnesota’s fighters? Any guys you are excited about?
 

Tony Grygelko….The best fighters come from the Midwest!
If I was going to dip into the vast talent pool here in Minnesota I would want to work… I’m not telling!

Well if you look at the true 8 weight classes in boxing you could say Minnesota is talent rich.

Flyweight

Antwan Robertson

Bantamweight

Vincente Alfaro

Featherweight

Ismail Muwendo

Lt Weight

Jason Litzau

Welter

M Kayango

Middle

Caleb Tuax

Lt Heavy

Marcus Oliveria

Heavy

Joey Abell

Fighter that I am the most excited about is Cerresso Fort. I think with the right team this kid could be very good. I think he has made some move recently that has shown the he really is ready to start making some big steps with his career. I wish him the best of luck!

M….Thanks for sharing with our readers. Is there anything you would like to add?

Tony Grygelko….Don’t forget to get your tickets for the St Paul Brawl. Tickets are available at www.ticketweb.com

Good Friday Night Fights – Grand Casino Hinckley: April 2, 2010

By: Laura Zink

Photos by SnapLocally.com

Ah boxing…one of life’s great opportunities to relish the thrill of the unexpected…

The fights at Grand Casino Hinckley on Friday gave us a taste of the unexpected. There were tough fights fought rougher than ever expected; there were fights that were electrifying and shorter than projected, and there were rematches with outcomes more convincing than previously contested. Let’s just put it this way, almost everyone there that night, from the fighters, to the fans, to the promoters, to the Casino itself – we were all in for a night full of surprises.

To kick things off, middleweights Tyler Hultin and Tim Taggart both knew that they were getting into a tough fight. Having battled it out in the amateurs, both fighters were aware of the other’s talents.

“I knew that he was a tough fighter,” Hultin said about Taggart. “He was one of those natural athletes that you know that he is going to be strong no matter what.”

“I knew that it would be a battle coming into it,” Taggart said about fighting Hultin.

Both of the men were coming in to the fight looking to make a decisive statement about their skill and toughness, and both had a clear plan about how that statement would be made. They went to war to try to prove that point – Hultin using his boxing skills, and Taggart using his size and strength.

“I was definitely trying to get a signature out of it,” Hultin commented about his intentions for the fight. “I wanted to make a stand that I am going to be a force to reckon with. So I put the time and energy into the training and learned some totally new stuff. And it was working great. Going in there, I knew what I had to do. Not all of it worked, but a lot of it did.”

“Well,” Taggart said with a short laugh, “it wasn’t the whole plan to keep it active like that. Once we got in there emotion took over. I should work on that a little bit. But going through it, it was a lot about heart. I couldn’t let him beat me in my own town. I had to go all out. I went all out.”

And as the rounds went on, endless barrages of punches in bunches ensued from both sides. The crowd was electrified by the performance until the final round where both went at each other, Taggart against the ropes and both men tossing everything they had left at each other at close range until the bell.

“For the first round, I was definitely wanting to come up the middle, keep it tight with defense, tight arms in and throw straight down the middle,” Hultin explained. “And I was. I was making him miss. It was working. So then I got some encouragement from my corner to come out a little more wide and tee off and mix it up with a lot more punches. Everything that they told me to do was working. I felt that the first two rounds were great. The third round was questionable for me – just with the way that I was feeling and getting tagged with a couple of punches. In the fifth and final round, I thought that there was no question that I outscored and outpunched…everything.”

“His punches, he didn’t hurt me very much,” Taggart commented. “That first one maybe, there was a kind of shock, kind of like ‘Oh, ok.’ But his punches didn’t hurt me. I think I hurt him though. I think he felt my punches for sure, especially my jab. I was snapping them out there pretty good and connecting them very well. I think he felt mine a little bit more than I felt his.”

And after all of that hard work, the fight was declared a draw, a decision clearly unexpected by both fighters.

“Obviously the outcome was definitely a shocker for me,” Hultin said. “As a fighter, when I was fighting him, I maybe gave him one round that I felt that he over-edged me on. Other than that, I was doing great. I was doing what I was told. I was landing clean shots. And I thought my defense was at the top. I got head-butted a few times, but other than that… His punches weren’t that effective, so I don’t know how they were scoring it as they did. It was definitely one of those things that I have to go back to and watch the fight and maybe see what other people were seeing that I didn’t. But I am happy with the fight. I want to thank Tim Taggart for taking the fight with me.”

“I mean, after the fight, I was tired and exhausted…and I was still a little mad about the draw,” Taggart said.” I thought it could have went my way. But now, I am feeling happy about it. The fans have come up to me and said, ‘Wow. That was a hell of a fight.’ I mean, that’s who it’s for. Yeah, it can advance my career, too, but these guys are the ones we fight for. I am glad. I am proud. I was in there and had that kind of a fight. I think that we will probably fight again in the future if management goes well. That was a fight worth seeing again, I believe.”

The next unexpected chain of events happened not because of a fight, but in spite of one. After considerable effort by the Midwest Sports Council and the Grand Casino Hinckley to stage what may be the biggest selling fight in Grand Casino boxing history, the unthinkable happened – the ring collapsed.

Creaked, shifted, bowed, and fell in with fighters Dan Copp and Dion Tierney still in the ring awaiting their decision. It seemed as if April Fools’ Day came one day late this year for Minnesota boxing. And as the ring announcer called Don Tierney winner by spilt decision over Dan Copp, Gary Eyer, who was warming up for the next fight of the night, got the following surprising news…

“Yeah, they just came into there and they were like, ‘The ring collapsed. It’s going to be awhile,’” Eyer said. “Everybody just looked at each other all quiet. And they were just like, ‘Go look for yourself.’ I had to get my gloves off and put on a shirt and just, I went to check it out…just like everybody else.”

By the time everybody else was out there, the ring had a concave center. The staff at the Grand Casino worked fervently under the ring to try to bring the canvas back up. They brought in cement blocks to stabilize the ring posts, hauled in heavy stage boards to create an unshakable platform for the ring to rest on, they brought in wood planks to reinforce the base. They fought with the ring, trying to rebalance it, re-raise the center, and flatten out the bows and bumps on the canvas to provide a safe and stable surface for the fights to continue. And while they worked to try and save the fights, Eyer returned to his dressing room to regroup and refocus.

“It messed things up a little bit,” Eyer explained. “I was psyching myself up getting mean, and then all of a sudden the ring collapsed, and I had to get nice again. It’s not easy. I think what helped was that there was a TV in the dressing room and the guys turned it on and we watched Friday Night Fights in there. That calmed everybody down.”

And when Eyer came to the fight, he was intending to use the fight with Patraw as an opportunity to win a match by a more lengthy display of skill, throwing the crafty combinations he had been training himself to utilize in this bout. But as he was finally able to go out to fight, he had the following things on his mind…

“When I was jumping up and down in the corner getting warmed up, I felt a real loud noise and I thought that it was collapsing again,” Eyer said. “But then it got strong again. I was kind of shocked a little bit. And then the bell rang, and just…they got me a little paranoid back in the dressing room that I can’t win a decision, so I just blanked out and went crazy.”

Brad Patraw (left) Gary Eyer (right), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

In round 1, Patraw started off the bout as the aggressor, using his jab and even sneaking in a stiff right uppercut that sent Eyer’s head flipping back.

“I know that he started out with a good jab,” Eyer commented, “and then he threw a good right uppercut. It got me square on the chin and I was like, ‘Ooo, I’m gonna be in a good fight.’”

Eyer responded to Patraw’s uppercut with a right hand that sent Patraw back onto the canvas. And even though it was a good shot, the result was still a surprise to Eyer.

“I hit him with a right hand, just a little right hand, and then it ended up hurting him and I just stayed on him,” Eyer explained. “I was kind of surprised. I didn’t think I put everything in it. But it got him and for some reason it just hurt him.”

Both fighters exchanged until a left and a right from Eyer caused Patraw to almost fall rear-first through the ropes, a circumstance which earned him his second 8 count. Patraw, mouthing “What the f*$k?,” was seemingly under the impression that he did not understand why he was being given an 8 count.

“There should have been no standing 8 count,” Patraw stated after the fight. “He gave me a standing 8 count for no reason at all when he specifically said before we fought that there were no standing 8 counts. We are not amateurs. Let me fight. If I am exchanging punches, I should be able to exchange punches. You don’t come and stop it. You stop it if I am on the damn ground. It is as simple as that. That is all I have to really say.”

But whatever kind of 8 count it was, Patraw was hurt in that first round. After that round, the fight did not last much longer. Patraw did his best to turn the tide at the beginning of round two, but his legs just didn’t seem to be under him anymore. At 1 minute and 16 seconds into round 2, Eyer landed 2 right hands that sent Patraw back on wobbly legs. The ref stepped in and called the fight and Partaw, enraged, protested the stoppage. And Eyer was a bit surprised that Patraw was so surprised at the outcome.

“I was thinking ‘Why didn’t they just stop it after the first round?’” Eyer commented after the fight. “I mean, he was pretty hurt. Why didn’t the corner stop it or the ref? I was a little shocked there. He wasn’t going to recover. I wasn’t going to give him a chance at all. It was going to be like that every second of every round until he was gone.”

And in another surprise that night, Hector Orozco staged a convincing upset over Jeremy McLaurin. Orozco proved to fans not only is he willing to take on stiff competition, he can beat them, too.

Hector Orozco, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

“I only have 16 fights overall,” Orozco explained. “I only had 5 amateur fights. In our gym, we don’t take slouches. The best way to improve is to improve fast. I know I am pretty young, 22, but before I get old I want to reach the top as quick as I can. And the only way that you can do it is take on the best. What’s the point of taking on guys that you can easily knock out?”

“I am feeling as confident as hell,” Orozco said. “I mean I am already improving from the last Jeremy fight to this Jeremy fight, I improved a lot…in only a two month span. I am ready to improve a lot more now. I am still going to take on the best. I am going to be a better boxer. Everyone thinks that I am just a brawler, but actually you are going to see a boxing brawler. And I am just going to improve and take on the best. You are only going to get better by taking on the best. And I am not scared of the best. I am not scared to take a punch from one of the best. I would actually like it to see how good they really are. The only way to find out is to get in the ring with them. All you are going to see from me is improvement and more exciting fights. I am never going to give you a boring fight ever.”

But with all of the surprises that night, there was one fighter whose night went almost exactly to plan – that fighter was Minnesota State champ, Andy “Kaos” Kolle.

“We worked on that ever since the first fight,” Kolle explained about his game plan with Vanda. “That is the way that I should have fought him the first fight. I have proven that I can fight with Matt Vanda and box with Matt Vanda. I opted for the fighting route and made it hard on myself the first time. This time, I was like, ‘I am going to do my best and box smart and keep it out.’

And the fight did go almost exactly to plan, Kolle using his jab and straight 1,2’s which tagged Vanda and stifled many of Vanda’s plans to land a right hand, left hook on Kolle. Kolle outboxed Vanda so convincingly that Vanda himself took the last 10 seconds of round 10 to hug Kolle and congratulate Kolle’s on his victory.

Kolle and Vanda, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

“I think he definitely used his jab a little bit more,” Vanda said about his fight with Kolle. “I think he was more cautious early on. He didn’t want to get caught maybe, but he boxed good. And he fought the last couple of rounds good. I give him all the credit in the world. He kept fighting. And it takes a man to fight me two times. Most people wouldn’t do it. It takes a man to get into the ring with me two times. And I will give him all of the respect in the world because he knew that I wanted to knock him out, and I tried, and I couldn’t do it. He’s a tough, tough kid. My hat’s off to him. Whatever he’s got in the future, I hope he does good. We’re done. Me and him are done. I feel good about it though.”

And what’s next for Vanda? Any surprises in store for fans in the future?

“Ah….you know….I don’t know what’s up after that. That might be it,” Vanda said in the side room after the fight. His face turned serious and he took a brief pause.

“Just kidding HAHAHAHAHA!” Vanda laughed. “I fight ‘til I can’t fight no more. I might take a little time off. I fight so much, it don’t really matter. But I will be back in there sooner or later. Right now, I am drinking Jack Daniels and getting ready to have a good time tonight. Whatever. I don’t give a f*$k!”

So maybe some of the events at the Grand Casino were unexpected, but, hey, that’s boxing. That night all of the fighters and the Grand Casino proved that boxing is about adapting to the unexpected and fighting it out for the fans. We were given a hell of a show last Friday night and everyone worked together to pull it off. Heck, what would the fights be without the thrill of the unexpected?

Photos by SnapLocally.com

Vanda (left) Kolle (right), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Hinckley Grand Casino hosted another night of great boxing action. There was all out war between Tyler Hultin and Tim Taggart, Hector Orozco stunned the crowd with a huge upset, Gary Eyer showed to be a beast at 126, and Andy Kolle added more proof to why most people have him as one of Minnesota’s finest and somebody who should soon be making a splash on the national scene. Oh yeah, and the ring came crashing down two fights into the night. I heard reports that last night was the largest selling boxing event Hinckley Grand Casino has had and the volume of the fans during Eyer/Patraw and Kolle/Vanda sure seem to attest to that. Below is a quick rundown of last nights events. Laura Zink will also have a report coming later today or tomorrow with more pictures and comments from some of the fighters.

Tyler Hultin Draw Tim Taggart (D48,47Hultin/48,47Taggart/48,48) - Probably the fight of the night. Andy Kolle was right when he predicted that you wouldn’t want to close your eyes for even a second in this one. This fight started with bad intentions in every pop, both guys were seemingly looking for the home run from the get-go. As the fight progressed both fighters seemed to find their fight. Taggart was sticking to trying to overpower with almost every shot while Hultin was using superior boxing skill. During round 4 Hultin went for the fences and the force of his swing put him on his backside and was ruled a slip. As rounds 4 and 5 went on both fighters lost much of the zip on their punches but were still working hard. I had the fight 3 rounds to 2 in favor of Hultin but had no problem with it being ruled a Draw. Great fight.

Copp (left) Tierney (right) Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Don Tierney over Dan Copp (SD40,36Tierney/40,36Copp/39,38Tiernery) - This was a back and forth fight with Donny Drama using better boxing skill and stiffer shots to win the day. It was not a pretty fight but both guys went after it even as they were lacking in strength and stamina towards the end.

Eyer (right) landing a huge right, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Gary Eyer over Brad Patraw (TKO 1:16 2nd) -” Take my breathaway” , That was Eyer’s entrance music for this night and thats just what he did to the fans and Patraw. For the time that it was going on, it was all action. Eyer looked very strong at his new weight and put Patraw down three times in the one and a half rounds they fought. Patraw landed some good shots of his own but Eyer was just overpowering. Some fans were disappointed with the stoppage as was Patraw and his trainers, but talking to several ringside officials, they agreed with the stoppage stating a fighters safety comes first. All action while it lasted, fun fight. It will be interesting to see what is next for Gary “Take My Breath Away” Eyer.

Hector Orozco

Hector Orozco over Jeremy McLaurin (UD60,54/58,56/59,55) - To me, this fight looked a lot like their first bout and add two rounds. Orozco looked even more smothering this time and would not stay out of McLaurins face. Many were surprised that like the last fight McLaurin did not use his big height and reach advantage, but in talking with McLaurin it seems Orozco never gave him an opportunity to get that distance. The fight was Hector Orozco stalking McLaurin around the ring for 6 rounds. Jeremy McLaurin did land some big shots but not enough and not nearly enough of the jab. Great win for Orozco.

Andy "Kaos" Kolle, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Andy Kolle over Matt Vanda (UD99,92/97,93/99,92) - Andy “Kaos” Kolle left little doubt last night as to who the best middleweight in the state is. He not only retained his title but almost won every round on many peoples scorecards. I had it 9 rounds to 1 or 8 rounds to 2, to be fair a couple rounds were close. The fight was not like Kolle/Vanda one, Kolle was a machine that fired in straight hard lines and Vanda could never get it figured out. To Vanda’s credit, he was there all night long eating and throwing punches. Most of the fight was Vanda trying to work through Kolles defence while Kolle was shooting a great jab and hard straight lefts. By the last few rounds Vanda’s corner was yelling for the KO as they knew Kolle was way ahead on the scorecards. After the fight Kolle stated his wish to campaign at 154 nationally but also understanding that givin his size, and southpaw stance it is still an uphill climb. Id love to see Kolle get an opportunity with a John Duddy or Julio Cesar Chaves Jr but I’m not too sure if they would be willing to step in with him.

MSC, RDS, and Hickley Grand Casino worked together again to put on a great show even with a ring collapse.

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

Its only days away, the showdown between Minnesota’s middleweight champ Andy “Kaos” Kolle and Matt Vanda April 2 at Hinckley Grand Casino. There have been several big MN vs MN showdowns, but few live up to the hype. Vanda/Kolle 1 did more than live up to the hype, it was a fan friendly war in the ring with Kaos coming away with the win and in his words “a great time.”  I have yet to talk to anybody who was not entertained by the first installment of the fight. Kolle/Vanda 2 should be all that and more. Vanda has much to prove after Manfredo as well as just needing another good win to stay in the mix nationally. Kolle has much more to lose in this fight; he already has a win against Vanda, he is the Minnesota middleweight champ, he is coming off of three impressive KO’s.  But the bottom line is this, Kolle/Vanda 2 has all the makings for the biggest event of the year. Neither Kolle or Vanda are going to back down from anybody and that includes each other. No matter who you are pulling for, this fight should please. Below is a recent conversation we had with Andy “Kaos” Kolle.

M….After having that huge victory over Bonsante and following it up with another great KO of Shuler, was it hard watching guys like Vanda and Truax having all those fights in 2009?

Kolle….Yes, very hard. Especially after winning that fight against Bonsante, we really wanted to ride that out, and were hoping to be able to do that nationally, unfortunately that’s not how it worked out. It is what it is.

M…. Why do you think it has been difficult to get some national fights?

Kolle…. I’m the type of fighter right now that without that big money backing, its high risk low reward for them to fight somebody who has been knocking people out.

M…. Do you see any big fights coming to the twin ports in the near future?

Kolle….I honestly don’t know about that, that’s Chucks business. Too much political stuff that I don’t get in to.

M….A lot of guys seem to be very hands-on as far as career path and active in helping to pick out who they fight next, how involved are you in that process or do you let Chuck Horton do most of that?

Kolle….I will let him know if there is somebody Id like to fight. But just like with Bonsante and Vanda, Chuck will bring up the name and I will say yes.

M….One of the really cool things I have been able to see over the last year and a half is the growth in skill and physicality of some of Minnesota’s boxers. You are one those who really has grown both physically and mentally. Can you share some of what you have been doing?

Andy "Kaos" Kolle, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Kolle….

I take this job very seriously, its my life. I wake up in the morning and I have a workout routine I go through. Its different every day, Kettle Bells, Tire slams, unconventional kinds of stuff, and then I go to the gym for a few hours in the afternoon and do my running at night, running the hills of Duluth. Over the last year and a half I have really taken my mind out of everything else and concentrated on boxing. Ever since that Paul Williams fight I have wanted to come back and make a statement in a major way.

M….Do you workout everyday of the week? Are there any days you take off?

Kolle….Sundays, 4 days a week strength, 5 days a week boxing, 6 days a week running and Sunday I don’t do anything. I think rest is also very important.

M….Your last fight against Pat Coleman was at First Ave in MPLS, how did it feel to have such crowd support in the twin cities?

Kolle….It felt awesome. It was a smaller show, club show, but it was awesome knowing I had the whole crowd that was backing me, not just the crowd thats been following me for years but new people as well. It felt good.

M….Most people were quite impressed with you in your last fight against Coleman. Did you feel any ring rust getting in there?

Kolle….No, I didn’t feel any ring rust at all. I stay active even when I don’t have a fight, I’m always working out and sparring.

M….How did it feel fighting Coleman? To me it almost seemed like he was willing to just stand in his shell and maybe just get through the night?

Kolle….He seemed like he was just trying to survive. He had a good guard and would get in his shell, that’s why I had to do a few things different and get him to open up.

M….Coleman’s corner kept yelling for him to through the right. Is that something you heard, were you trying to draw him in?

Kolle….Thats just basic boxing 101 from a trainer that didn’t have any idea what he should do. That’s the first thing to tell a right-handed fighter who is fighting a southpaw.

M….154, that is a weight we had talked about a year ago, is it just really hard to find fights there right now?

Kolle….Also when we talked about that I told you unless its a Minnesota fight, then I will defend at 160. Last summer I was ready to fight at 154 but my opponent came in way over. I still weighed in at 155.

M….So the plan is to stay at 154 for national fights?

Kolle….That’s what I want. I feel that is the size for me on the national level. Those guys are big, even look at the size Pat Coleman was in my last fight.

M….Matt Vanda, what comes to mind?

Kolle….He is the type of fighter that fans like to see. He has proven himself and he has that fan base for a good reason, he gives them what they want. Even on the national level, he’s been beaten, but he always shows up.

M….There are those who see this as a high risk low reward type fight. Why this fight and why now?

Kolle….After our last fight, I told him I would give him another. He has earned that rematch with what he has done since then. I gave him my word.

M….Does the fact that Vanda lost almost every round to Manfredo make this fight hard from the standpoint of what you have to do to make it worth it?

Kolle….No, Ive just got to beat him and it really doesn’t matter how you do it. Styles make fights and Manfredo has a different style than I do and John Duddy has a different style than I do and so on. My goal is to win every round I fight, but I don’t have to, I just need to win more rounds than him. I would like to take him out, but my goal is to win.

M….Speaking of some of those guys Vanda has had the good fortune to get in the ring with, Manfredo, Duddy, Chaves Jr., Would you like the chance to get in there with them and how different would the outcomes be?

Kolle….I would love to get in the ring with Duddy or Chaves. They have talked about fighting at 154 and I would love to do it. We had an offer for Duddy but his team decided they didnt want it.

M….Given that the names we mentioned were unable to take Matt out, does that give you added motivation for the KO and do you think that would get you more national exposure?

Kolle….It would maybe open eyes but probably close some checkbooks.

M….There are those who think you are trying to avoid Caleb Truax, I don’t think either of you are avoiding the other, but what are your thoughts?

Kolle….There is no part of me avoiding Caleb Truax, I would fight that kid anytime and anywhere. Now he’s fighting Phil. I am ready for you Caleb anytime you want it.

M….So its just been that there has not been a date, contract, money or any details ever hammered out?

Kolle….To be honest I dont know all the ins and outs. All I know is after the Target Center show I came in the ring and asked for Matt and Caleb. Matt came to the table first. Caleb had a cut I think. Im not saying Caleb’s scared. We both have managers and guys that take care of our fights. I am ready to fight him any time.

M….Andy Kolle vs Matt Vanda to many people is the biggest fight out there in Minnesota, how do you see it?

Andy "Kaos" Kolle, Courtesy Walters Photography

Kolle….

I do believe it is the biggest fight in Minnesota right now, I have the belt for Minnesota and he brings one of the biggest challenges. You know going to a Vanda fight you will get your money’s worth and you know I am going to bring it every time too. Two guys who are not afraid to throw punches, you wont see lulls in action like you do in some others.

M…. As a guy who likes to go after it himself, is it extra exciting to fight a guy like Vanda who you know will bring it?

Kolle….That first fight with Vanda was the most fun I have ever had in the ring, just going at it, throwing all caution to the wind, that was a blast. That probably wasn’t the way I should have fought him, but it was my first big fight and I wanted everyone to know I am right here too. That’s another reason I wanted that rematch because that first one was a blast.

M….I have watched your first fight with Vanda many times, and every time I have you winning on points pretty clearly, but there are some Vanda fans who just don’t see it that way. How do you feel about that victory?

Kolle….The fans that say he won that fight are the same ones who feel he won the Garr fight. They are good fans and they are sticking up for their boy, but I won that fight. When I watch it I think I maybe lost two rounds, one being the round Igot knocked down.

M….There has been much talk about the one knock down from your fight with Vanda, tell us about it.

Kolle….. It was the first time I had been down so I took my time getting back up. I’ve seen fighters to eager to get off the mat only to get hit again. I took my time and dominated the rest of that round and fight.

M….Matt Vanda has had big wins against Phil Williams, Ted Muller, and Tocker Pudwill in the last 12 months. Do you think Vanda is better today than the guy you fought a couple years ago?

Kolle….Yeah, that is another reason for the rematch. He has gotten better and earned it. That’s what I want, I want a challenge. I have gotten better since our fight, I don’t want the same Vanda I fought two years ago, I want the challenge of a better Vanda.

M….What makes Vanda better today?

Kolle….I think he is a lot stronger and more comfortable in the ring. He is more of a polished pro now.

M….Most people who have fought Vanda talk about how tough he is to get down. Does that play on your mind at all, make you want to take him out that much more?

Kolle….Everybody wants to be the first guy to put somebody down. That’s not really my thoughts on this fight, get the win and move on.

M….How many fights would you like to have this year? Or are you more to the point of just wanting quality fights?

Kolle….I’d rather have quality fights than number of fights. 5 fights in a year is a pretty stacked schedule for someone who is fighting 10 rounders all the time.

M….After Vanda, would you like to continue to clean up the state or would you like to begin to again test the national waters?

Kolle….I have big dreams. I would like to fight outside of Minnesota and help establish this thing our boxing has going here. If your from New York or California you don’t want to be the best in your state, you want to compete with the best from all over.

M….So you are more than ready to go on another promoters card from New York or Vegas as long as it is a well matched opportunity?

Kolle….Like I said, I would love to fight guys like Duddy or Chaves Jr.

M….Any thoughts on Phil Williams vs Caleb Truax?

Kolle….I don’t really know, I think its going to be who gets to who first. I don’t know that it will go the distance. I am pulling for Truax to win it.

M….You have already said you would fight Truax, what about Williams if he were to win?

Kolle….Absolutely, if Williams can come in and make 160. That’s the same with Truax, its 160lbs.

M….What are your thoughts on Gary Eyer vs Brad Patraw?

Kolle….Im excited for that fight. Gary goes for it every time, and from what I have seen of Brad, he isn’t afraid of throwing punches either. That should be a fun one while it lasts, but I don’t expect it to make the distance.

M….The battle of your buddies, Tyler Hultin vs Tim Taggard. I know you’re friends with both guys, but how do you see this fight?

Kolle….That’s a tough fight for me, Tyler has been my boy for a long time and Timmy has become a friend of mine, he lived with me for a while. The only thing I can say about that fight is you are not going to want to blink. It will be all out while it lasts.

Tyler Hultin

Tyler “The Hitman” Hultin is set to face the always tough Tim Taggart Aril 2 at Hinckley Grand Casino. Hultin will be stepping into Taggarts backyard to take on a former Horton fighter. I was lucky enough to be able to watch a little of Hutlin sparring with Andy “Kaos” Kolle as well as working the mitts with Chuck Horton. He has some power! Like many who were able to watch Hultin at Bridge Battle’s one and two, I was instantly a fan. Hultin has that Fergus/Duluth/ Horton’s gym sort of feel, tough, scrappy, and unafraid. Tyler Hultin took some time to answer a few questions from The League below.

M….We haven’t caught up with you since your pro debut and victory, How did it feel to get that first fight and win last May?

Hultin….It’s hard to express that kind of feelings in words! I felt on top of the world and was ready for more!

 
M…..You also had a highly entertaining public workout with Scott Ball last June, do you have any thoughts from that sparring session?

Hultin….I think that was a broad turning point when I realized I’m at a different level. I went in there feeling like I was in a real fight like I always do! I understand more that any wrong thing you do in the ring can cause a turning point, also it makes me want to have a real fight with Ball down the road!

 
M….You will be fighting Tim Taggart April 2, how much do you know about him?

Hultin….Tim and I clashed Heads back in Amateurs, many years ago.. also I had watched him many years after that when we were in different weight classes. I know the pro level is a whole new world and he has progressed, but so have I and I know when it comes down to conditioning I rank myself High!
 

M…..Do you think the fact that he used to workout out of Horton’s gym may help him in any way in preparing to fight you?

Hultin….I Don’t think that will benefit him very much. Ive learned very much with working with Horton’s gym, but I am my own person and when it comes down to it I know what I have to do to win!
 

M….You had a pretty vocal crowd for your first pro fight, do you think they are going to follow you to Hinckley?
 

Hultin….Yes I Did! And yes they will be! What you saw in Duluth, you can multiply that by 10 and thats what kind of support we have from our small town of Fergus Falls!!

 M…. How much time have you spent training in Duluth over the past year?

Tyler Hultin

Hultin….

Every chance I had Free time I was up there training.. taking everything I learned and brought it back to my coaches. Furthering my potential and my coaches!
 

M….How much impact do you think being able to spar with Minnesota’s number one middle has on your game?
 

Hultin….Koas!! I couldn’t ask for better! Its made me a better fighter by far! Its great to know I can help him out with his up coming fights, as he does for me every time! Sparring with him has made me a much smarter fighter and much more accurate, cuz when your fighting kolle you never want to be hit….. ever!! 
 

M….Do you have any plans to relocate to Duluth to be closer to your team?

Hultin….Yes,i do. I feel with the type of training I get at camp, if I could get that all the time I feel I could also get my name out there and be on the top for Minnesota’s fighters!
 

M….Has it been difficult waiting for almost a year to get your second fight as a pro? Do you think it has made you even hungrier to get back in the ring?
 

Hultin….Hungry is an Understatement….. it has been like a steady anticipation just waiting for my next chance.. everyone will notice that when I step into the ring come April 2nd.!!
 

M….What should fans expect to see when you and Tim Taggart meet in the ring?

Hultin….FIREWORKS!! Taggart is going to try to make it end as fast as he can, but I have different Plans!
 

M….How many fights do you hope to have this year?
 

Hultin….I’m hoping for 5 fights this year! The more the merrier!! Ready to make a stand.
 

M….Do you feel you will continue to battle at this weight?

Hultin…. The more I learn about the pros the more I know that being a middle weight wont benefit me in the long run… 154 is where I want to be at! Couple more at middle weight and then were going down!
 

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

Hultin….I want to Thank everybody for all the support and not forgetting about me! I’m back and ready!! Thanks again Todd!!

Phil Williams, Courtesy of SnapLocally.com

 This event is now April 23

Originally it was planned for Truax to meet Williams April 10, but now it has been moved to the 16th with the St Paul Armory being the venue.

April has some really exciting fights lined up for us, what match-up will make for the best fight?

Andy Kolle vs Matt Vanda 2 ? State Middleweight Title fight

Caleb Truax vs Phil Williams?

Gary Eyer vs Brad Patraw?

Javontae Starks vs Bobby Kliewer?

Jeremy McLaurin vs Hector Orozco 2?

April 2 in Hinckley looks to be getting more stacked by the minute. The card as it stands has; The Minnesota Middleweight Title fight Andy Kolle (20,2 Champ) vs Matt Vanda (42,10), Gary Eyer (7,0,1) vs “Bad” Brad Patraw (6,1) Eyer will be going down to Patraw’s weight for this one, Jeremy McLaurin (7,0) vs Hector Orozco (1,5) in a rematch of a very close fight, Tyler Hultin (1,0) vs Tim Taggart (3,2,1), Javontae Starks (3,0) and Jamal James (0,0) will also be featured in separate bouts. All bouts subject to change.

Gary "Stone Cold" Eyer ready to unload.

VS

"Bad" Brad Patraw

Grandma’s Sports Garden hosted another fun evening of Golden Gloves Boxing. Along with 8 Golden Gloves bouts there was a dance-off, great music by the lead singer of Arch Allies, and three public workouts. 3 or 4 fights into the night Pimp James and Winston Anderson’s little bro challenged Chuck Horton to a dance-off, and well, lets just say James and the little guy won. After the Golden Gloves boxing was through, Gary Eyer got in the ring and went a few rounds with Speedy Monchamp as a kick-start to training camp for his upcoming fight April 2 in Hinckley. Eyer also went a couple rounds with Andy Kolle before Tyler Hultin stepped in with Kaos for 6 rounds. During the Kolle/Hultin public workout things got a little hairy for Mr. Horton as both Kolle and Hultin turned on their coach and delivered some pretty nice body blows. Gary Eyer, Tyler Hultin and Andy Kolle will all be fighting April 2 at Hinckley Grand Casino.

The fight of the night was Will Mathews (Horton’s Gym) vs Zack Zontelli (Golden-Lakes Brainerd) followed closely by Jordan Berg (Moore Boxing Club) vs Rick Hatcher (Golden-Lakes Brainerd). Below are the full results from last nights event.

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

Brad Heroff (Brunette’s Gym) over Mark Pogorelskin (Horton’s Gym)

Jarred Guerrero (Horton’s Gym) over Larry Sherk (Horton’s Gym)

Gage Follet (Kokusai Boxing) over Nick Wasmek (Horton’s Gym)

Jordan Berg (Moore Boxing Club) over Rick Hatcher (Gold-Lakes Brainerd)

Randall Gouge Jr (Moore Boxing Club) Over Trevor Marmo (Horton’s Gym)

Rubio Elias (Brunette’s Gym) over Dylan Houle (Kokusai Boxing)

Will Mathews (Horton’s Gym) over Zach Zontelli (Golden-Lakes Brainerd)

“MSC/RDS Card In Hinckley to Have Large Duluth Presence”

The Midwest Sports Council/RDS Boxing card taking place at Grand Casino Hinckley features one of the most anticipated rematches in Minnesota history as Duluth’s Andy “Kaos” Kolle defends his state title for the first time in a middleweight fight against Matt “The Predator Vanda.” 

Andy Kolle (left), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Fight fans from the Twin Ports will not only have Kolle to cheer on as undefeated Duluth lightweight “Stone Cold” Gary Eyer has recently agreed to appear on the card against an opponent to be named.  Also appearing on the card will be Fergus Falls, Minnesota’s Tyler Hultin who also fights out of Horton’s Gym in Duluth.  Hultin has verbally agreed to fight Tim Taggart of Hinckley, MN in a 5 round bout at 160 lbs.  Taggart, as many will remember, fought out of Horton’s gym for a brief period two years ago.

MSC matchmaker Cory Rapacz said, “We’re very excited to be featuring this much talent from the Twin Ports on this card.  We all know Andy Kolle’s talent, but I think the fans are going to get a real good show with the Hultin vs. Taggart fight as well.  I think Tyler is next in the line of great Minnesota fighters to come out of Fergus Falls.  Zach Walters had a fantastic career, Kolle is on top of the state right now and it’s obvious that Hultin has the type of charisma and talent to follow in their footsteps.”

Gary Eyer (right), Courtesy SnapLocally.com

With rumblings of a potential fight between Gary Eyer and undefeated Minnesota lightweight Jeremy McLaurin flying around the state, the two will be featured in separate bouts on this card.  “These two will definitely fight.  It makes a ton of sense to happen this year, but right now it’s not something either side is wild about.  They’re both coming off real tough fights and I think they each want one more bout before going head-to-head.  Both will be featured in good fights on the card and we’ve already had preliminary discussions about them possibly meeting in Duluth in either the late Spring or early Summer.”

Jeremy McLaurin lands to the body, Courtesy of SnapLocally.com

Andy Kolle and Tyler Hultin will unofficially kick off press for April 2nd’s show when they square off in an 8 round public workout this Thursday night at Grandma’s in Duluth at the end of the “USA vs. Canada” Golden Gloves card.  Rapacz said, “What a great way to unofficially kick off promotion for this thing!  Anyone who has ever worked out with Andy Kolle knows he will not take it easy on Hultin.  I’m going to do my best to make the trip up there to support this show.  It doesn’t hurt that one of Minnesota’s most exciting fighters, Gary Eyer, is going to see some action either!”

The rest of the card in Hinckley will feature rising prospect Javontae Starks in his first six round bout, amatuer star Jamal James in his pro debut and many more fights.  The final card should be finalized in the coming days.  “This is the start of some great things.”  Rapacz said.  “We’re hoping this is the start of a great working relationship with Chuck, Carinda and everyone at Horton’s Gym.  Issues we’ve had in the past have been worked out and we’re all moving forward.  Already this year we’ve seen Andy Kolle’s return to the Twin Cities and we’ve already had discussions of Javontae Starks’ debut in the Twin Ports.  I think this is a real exciting time to be a fan of Minnesota boxing.”