Courtesy of 13twentythree.com
Don’t let his record fool you, Robert (Bobby) Kliewer (9,8,2) is one tough customer. Always a crowd favorite, his opponents could arguably be among the most difficult of middles in the state. He has fought and beat Jon Schmidt (9,1), as well as faced a regular who’s who of Minnesota middleweight talent. Caleb Truax (13,0), Andy Kolle (19,2), and Cerresso Fort (6,0) are all on Kliewer’s resume. Bobby explains that he is always game to fight and hasnt always had the time to be in top shape. Of all the fighters he has faced, there is only one Kliewer felt was better than him, Anthony Dirrell (18,0). With school behind him, and the time to be in the shape needed to compete at the highest level, Bobby feels we will just now be starting to see the best he has to offer. This Friday night will be the start of what Kliewer hopes will be a new and even stronger boxing career.
Courstesy of 13twentythree.com
M…. Did you have many amateur fights before turning pro back in 2006?
Kliewer…. I had 41 amateur fights before I turned pro. I won 23, I fought a lot of different fighters in a lot of weight classes from 95 to 152. I fought Jamal James 6 times, Derek Winston twice, Mike Faulk, Sam Morales, Wilton and Jose Hilario. I fought in a couple national tournaments, like the under 19 tournament, a few ringsides, one silver gloves, and one junior Olympics.
M…. What got you interested in boxing? Have you always been a fan?
Kliewer…. My dad knew Johnny Johnson from back in the day and brought me and my friend up to the gym one day when I was 13 and I just stuck with it. Prior to that, I really didn’t have much interest in boxing.
M…. You have a unique boxing style, is it something you came up with? Have you always boxed this way?
Kliewer…. I think that I fight the way I fight because of all of the different influences I’ve had in the gym growing up. I had to adapt to everyone, so I feel like I can fight every style of fighter.
M…. How would you describe your boxing style?
Kliewer…. My style could simply be described as awkward, I can box, or I can counter punch, the only way I dont like to fight is inside, which is probably a good thing, seeing as how I am usually the taller fighter.
M…. People are generally pretty excited to see your name on a card because your fights are always action packed, is that something you try to do or is it just the way you fight?
Kliewer…. I know what I like to see when I fight and I think that is what other people like to see as well. People pay to see a show, they don’t want to watch people pitter patter or wait around in the ring or especially give up. I don’t care if I’m tired and losing the fight or not, I’m leaving it all in the ring. As long as I can stand I’m staying in there fighting, I’m a real competitive person and I think that shows in everything I do.
M…. You have fought a regular who’s who of Minnesota boxers. What would be your most memorable instate match up?
Kliewer…. That’s an easy one, when I fought Raul at the Target Center, getting a KO in the last seconds of a fight that I was probably losing (maybe due to a bad 8 count) is and probably will always be my best boxing memory.
M…. Since you have faced them all, who would you say were the toughest of Minnesota’s middleweight class?
Kliewer…. That question is a little harder, because they are all different and I’ve fought them at different points in my life and in different shape. But Cerresso is probably one of the toughest in state, because he is always in shape and has some pretty solid defense, Kolle is like a machine though with all of the punches he throws. They might not be the hardest punches but there are a lot. I don’t feel like I’ve ever been in good enough shape as I should have been in when I fought any of the guys in the past year, but now I’m back home and ready. But the toughest fighter I’ve fought would be Dirrell, he is the only fighter I’ve ever been in the ring with that I truly felt was better than me, not just in better shape.
M…. You will be meeting John Turner this Friday. You were able to beat him by UD back in 08, how do you see this fight turning out?
Kliewer…. Well he was about 15lbs heavier than me then and I really had not been training and it was a pretty one sided 4 round dec. and this time I get 6 rounds to put in work and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since I can remember. Not saying top shape, but I’m feeling good. John looks like he’s in pretty good shape since I see him in passing at the gym and I know he can take a punch. But I really don’t think he has a chance at hurting me, i’m too tall and should be able to box him easily and pick my shots, hopefully ending up in an early night for me. He has fought some bigger guys, so we’ll see what happens. That’s why people come to the fights, they can’t be predicted.
M…. Jason Litzau is fighting on the Roy Jones Jr undercard this Saturday, do you have a prediction?
Kliewer…. The guy is short, like 5′5″ with like 7kos, should be an easy night for Jay, I say Jason stops him by 5.
M…. Aside from your fight, what bouts are you looking forward to seeing Friday?
Kliewer…. I think the cousins fighting should be an interesting exhibition, and I always like to watch my boys from Rice St. fight. Vanda always come to fight so we’ll see how he feels at a heavier weight, I’m thinking it should be a real good show.
M…. What should fight fans expect from a Bobby Kliewer fight?
Kliewer…. A good time, people are paying to watch me fight, and I’m trying to give them their money’s worth and that’s what they will get. You’re going to see me box, bang, and put on a show.
M…. Is there anything you would like to add?
Kliewer…. I’m back home from college for good, so I’ll be here and ready to fight anyone near 160lbs. I’ll be back in the gym Monday after the fights, back to training, I’m trying to make this fight a statement fight, so people know that I’m for real and when I’m in shape I can fight anyone, rematch or first time I’m down.
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Tags: Andy Kolle,
Anthony Dirrell,
Bobby Kliewer,
Caleb Truax,
Cerresso Fort,
Jason Litzau,
Johny Johnson,
Jon Schmidt
Photo Courtesy of SnapLocally.com
