Tag Archives: Jon Laboda

Who is Minnesota’s best boxer with 10 or less pro fights?

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Courtesy Walters Photography, all rights reserved

Courtesy Walters Photography, all rights reserved

I believe we have quite a few quality young fighters coming up the ranks. As I have written before, the list of must see MN fighters just keeps growing for me. Who do you think is tops of the 10 fight and under class? Please, if you comment, try and make it a reason for the fighter you suggest and not knocking a boxer listed. Remember we are talking about guys with 10 or less fights. Personally, my top 5 in no order would be; Dave Peterson, Cerresso Fort, Gary Eyer, Willshaun Boxley, and Jon Laboda. I actually should have done top ten because I am already second guessing myself. What do you think?

“Unfinished Business”, Results / Guess Who’s Back

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All photos courtesy of snaplocally.comjason_litzau2

 

 

 

The Midwest Sports Council and the Target Center worked together to put on the best show of 2009 thus far. It’s hard to imagine getting any better than their last effort with Kolle/Bonsante, but this card was entertaining top to bottom. The 3,595 people in attendance witnessed the fulfillment of a feud, the mighty return of Jason Litzau, and a very controversial decision in Vanda/Pudwill. This is what live boxing is all about. The two biggest highlights for me were Allen Litzau vs Wilton Hilario and Jason Litzau’s furry.

 

Donny Tierney UD (38,37/38,37/38,37) over Zach Schumach – What a great start to the night. This was boxer vs brawler. Donny used his obvious boxing skill advantage to keep control throughout most of this fight. Zach brought the action and looping bombs, but it was not enough to beat the slicker boxer.

 

Jon Laboda TKO between rounds 2 and 3 over Patrick Cape – Round one had Cape looking to unleash his big right hand, and he had some success, taking the round in my opinion. The second round came with Laboda tearing into Capes body and mind. Following round two, Cape’s corner decided their fighter had felt enough.

 

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Jason Litzau TKO round 5 over Phillip Payne – The crowd was going crazy for Litzau as he entered the ring. Once in the ring and the bell rung, Jason began to ring a different bell, Payne’s. This fight was all Jason and I can see why most local fight fans see Jason as cream of the crop. I understand that Payne’s record was lacking, but what a come back fight for Jason. Fast hands is not nearly descriptive enough to talk about the artillary Litzau was throwing. I give Phillip credit for making it to the 5th, as Jason was on him at every turn, popping him to every portion of his body above the waist.

 

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Cerresso Fort TKO round 4 over Robert Kliewer – This would have been fight of the night on many occasions. Bombs away could describe the action between these two Rice Street Gym fighters. Fort didn’t look as impressive in this victory as he had in Hinckley but Kliewer makes all fights look a little different due to his style. I give Kliewer credit for making it as far as he did with the monsters Fort was throwing. I had Fort taking every round until the stoppage.

 

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Wilton Hilario TKO round 5 over Allen Litzau – Rounds 1 through 3 were all action as these two rivals showed their dislike for one another. Both Allen and Wilton were landing big shots on each other. Wilton’s straight right had Allen seeing stars early on. After round three my notes just say WOW. Come round 4, the wear and tear seemed to be getting to Litzau, and Wilton was clearly in control of both the 4th and 5th rounds. Round five started with Hilario and Litzau charging each other, firing off punches, then Wilton again was doing the giving until the fight was mercifully stopped. The crowd was not happy with the stoppage but those at ringside all agreed. This is one of those fights that did live up to the hype and will stay in peoples memories for a long time. Great fight.

 

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Matt Vanda MD (76,76/77,75/77,75) over Tocker Pudwill – According to the crowd, the writers, Vanda and his Corner’s reaction, the judges were watching a different fight. After it was through, I was able to talk to Anthony Bonsante and Jake Wagner, who were both broadcasting the nights events, and they both had it for Tocker by a landslide. At best this could have been a draw, but two judges giving Vanda the win by two points is beyond me. The fight itself was entertaining. The first 4 rounds I easily gave to Tocker because of his activity and reach. It just didn’t seem like Vanda could figure out how to get inside. Tocker had great defense and in those first 4 rounds didn’t get touched by much. The second half of the 8 round affair was a much closer bout. Vanda definitely landed the bigger punches and had Tocker hurt on a few occasions. I could have scored the last four for Vanda, giving him a draw but didn’t. I had Tocker winning by 2 points. This fight did show why people love Vanda– he shows no fear, and he is always on the prowl. If he had fought the whole fight like he did the last four rounds, I don’t know if it would have gone the distance, but I’m sure that had something to do with Tocker. A lot of credit needs to be given to Vanda for understanding the slight given to Tocker. He immediately offered Tocker a rematch and Vanda didn’t stay for the post fight interview. Tocker’s people were heard saying that they would take a rematch, just not in Minnesota.

 

What a night at the Target Center. I cannot wait for their next boxing event. There was not a fight on the card that wasn’t fun to watch. The Midwest Sports Council did a great job on lining up the cast for 2009′s best show to date.

 

Todd

Press Release, Updated Fight Card for “Unfinished Business”

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Matt Vanda [won 39 (KO 22) + lost 9 (KO 1) + drawn 0] v. Tocker Pudwill [won 40 (KO 14) + lost 6 (KO 3) + drawn 0]– 8 rounds – 160 lbs.

 

Wilton Hilario [won 10 (KO 08) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 1] v. Allen Litzau [won 13 (KO 7) + lost 3 (KO 2) + drawn 0]– 10 rounds – 130 lbs.

 

Cerresso Fort [won 5 (KO 5) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 0] v. Bobby Kliewer [won 9 (KO 4) + lost 7 (KO 5) + drawn 2]– 6 rounds – 160 lbs.

 

Jason Litzau [won 23 (KO 19) + lost 2 (KO 2) + drawn 0] v. Phillip Payne [won 16 (KO 08) + lost 22 (KO 4) + drawn 1] – 8 rounds – 132 lbs.

 

Phil Williams [won 10 (KO 9) + lost 1 (KO 1) + drawn 0] v. John Turner is nolonger on card – 6 rounds – 175 lbs.

 

Jon Laboda [won 4 (KO 3) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 0] v. Patrick Cape [won 5 (KO 3) + lost 4 (KO 3) + drawn 0] – 5 rounds – 147 lbs.

 

Donny Tierney [Pro Debut] v. David Duncan [won 0 (KO 0) + lost 1 (KO 1) + drawn 0] – 4 rounds – 152 lbs.

Midwest Sports Council / Target Center “Fight Night” Press Release

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A Pro Boxing Border Battle Headlines

Fight Night at Target Center

 

Matt Vanda Gets a New Opponent for April 18th “Unfinished Business” Card

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA (March 31, 2009) — Target Center, in association with Midwest Sports Council, announced a change in its co-headliner bout, “Unfinished Business,” today. Matt Vanda will now take on Tocker Pudwill (40-6,14 KO’s), a middleweight from Bismarck, North Dakota. Pudwill replaces K.J. Noons who was previously set to box Vanda on the downtown Minneapolis card. Noons severely injured his shoulder last Saturday night, going the distance but losing in a devastating ten-round decision. The Vanda vs. Pudwill bout sets up a battle for state pride.  Both Vanda, a St. Paul native, and Pudwill hail from their states’ capital cities. Pudwill is also a former North Dakota state middleweight champion and has twice fought for but lost his bids for a world title.
 
*Co-Main Events:
 
St. Paul’s Matt “The Predator” Vanda (39-9, 22 KO‘s) is looking to get his career back on track against the “Bismarck Bomber” Tocker Pudwill (40-6,14 KO’s).


Vanda has lost his last two fights in decisions that went the distance against legendary, undefeated fighters John Duddy and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. Although being out punched by Duddy his last time in the ring at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Vanda showed a lot of guts and determination in the final round of the fight, landing a series of powerful blows in hopes for a knockout.


In the other co-main event, an eight round bout, Allen “The American Boy” Litzau (13-3, 7 KO‘s) is hoping to spoil Wilton “Pretty Warrior” Hilario’s (10-0-1, 8 KO’s) undefeated record and take home the Super Featherweight America’s Belt title at the same time.


Hilario, with his street fighter’s passion, has his eyes set on more high-profile fights down the road—namely a match up with powerful Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa. But, St. Paul’s Litzau, a four-time upper Midwest Golden Gloves champion is an impressive young brawler that opponents can’t afford to look past.

 

Fans will see the return of lightweight Jason “The American Boy” Litzau (23-2, 19 KO’s) after his devastating IBF Featherweight Title loss in February 2008. Jason was 125-10 as an amateur, finished second at the 2001 US Championship. He turned pro at 19 and ended his opportunity of competing in the Olympics. As a pro he continued to rise in the rankings.


Undefeated Jon Laboda (4-0, 3 KO‘s) takes on power puncher Mike Davis (3-5, 3 KO’s) in a four round, junior middleweight fight. Welterweight Donny Tierney makes his pro debut against David Duncan (0-1) and Cerresso Fort (5-0, 5 KO‘s) will defend his undefeated Middleweight record. Phil “The Drill” Williams will be taking on undefeated Reggie “Concrete” LeCrete.

*Fighters subject to change.

 

 

“Unfinished Business”, April 18 at the Target Center, promo video

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Fight card, as it stands today. Card is subject to change.

 

1.      middleweight           Matt Vanda   v.       Karl Noons    8 rounds
 
2.      super featherweight            Allen Litzau  v. Wilton Hilario      10 rounds
 
3.      featherweight            Jason Litzau  v. Daniel Mitchell    8 rounds
 
4.      light heavyweight    Phil Williams v. Reggie La Crete 6 rounds
 
5.      middleweight           Cerresso Fort v. Robert Kliewer    6 rounds
 
6.      light middleweight  Don Tierney  v. David Duncan      4 rounds
 
7.      welterweight             Jon Laboda v. Michael Davis         4 rounds