Javontae Starks Forced to Pull out of April 2 Bout, Aims for May Return

For Immediate Release

Minneapolis, MN- Minnesota’s top junior middleweight prospect and former national champion Javontae Starks(3-0 3 ko’s) suffered the first setback of his career this month when he was forced to pull out of his bout with Bobby Kliewer(10-9 6 ko’s) on April 2.

                Starks suffered a back injury while training alongside stablemate and former amateur elite Jamal James,who will make his pro debut April 2. Although disappointed with the cancellation Starks plans to return to the ring in May, and remains open whatever fight that is brought to the table, including Kliewer.

“I’ve fought the best in the world I’ve trained with the best and been recognized as the best, I’m not afraid of any fight” Starks noted.

                Starks insists the injury will not remain a problem for much longer, and feels he could have fought, but the risk was just too great at this stage of his career.

“I feel like I could have fought and won, but it’s how I want to win that’s important this early in my career”

                Starks and his team aim to return to training during the first week of April, and hope to take to the ring as soon as possible, a date in late May the most likely scenario.

                Javontae Starks is expected to be on hand April 2 to support close friend Jamal James, and Midwest Sports Council stablemate Jeremy McLaurin in their bouts. The card is headlined by the long awaited rematch between Matt Vanda and Andy Kolle for the Minnesota State Middleweight title. Tickets are available at grandcasinomn.com.

            Starks trains at the Circle of Discipline Gym in Minneapolis alongside fellow celebrated amateur Jamal James. Under the direction of trainer Sankara Frazier Starks aims to put his home state of Minnesota on the boxing map. After capturing National and regional titles in the amateur ranks, he made his professional debut in late 2009.

With an undeniable will, and professional level skills Starks aims to become a beacon of hope for Minnesota fight fans.

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

“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.”

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

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