Tag Archives: Matt Vanda

Andy “Kaos” Kolle (25,3) vs Cerresso Fort (14,0,1) Friday night, Hinckley Grand Casino…

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Andy “Kaos” Kolle (25,3) fights in yet another huge MN vs MN showdown tomorrow night… Kaos Kolle has entered the ring 28 times as a pro… He beat Matt Vanda two times, the second in almost a shut-out, and KOed Anthony Bonsante in the 3rd round… In his last fight, he was weighing 158 the day before he entered the ring April 7, until he found out he was fighting a super middle, 164…. In that fight vs Walker, Kaos fought all but one round without his left (Andy Kolle is a southpaw) winning a wide UD… Kolle does not plan on getting in the ring above 154 again, and Friday night is a nice step towards continuing his quest to keep fighting, but at his natural weight… In Fort, he has a guy who has yet to taste defeat.. Cerresso is (14,0,1) and he believes he is the best at Jr middle after winning over Dave Peterson (13,1)… It has been widely known that Fort considers himself the best of the middles and Kolle is happy to give him the same shot, he got himself when Vanda first fought him back in 2007. Kolle/Fort will be for the vacant MN Jr. Middleweight title…You are not going to want to miss this main event Friday January 25 at Hinckley Grand Casino, Hinckley MN… Follow MNBoxingLeague on Twitter. and MNBoxingLeague on Facebook. Below is a Q & A with Kaos…
How is your wrist and hand?
Kolle….My hand is feeling good, and I have been hitting with full power throughout this camp so I have no reservations about throwing it throughout the fight.

Back at your natural fighting weight of 154, do you see the Walker fight (April 7, 2012) as your last stop in the 160′s?
Kolle….I really hope so. When I got the call for the opponent switch I was already sitting around 158 a day before the weigh ins. So I went out and stuffed my face with pasta so when, I weighed in I wouldn’t come in so light. 154 really is the weight I feel the most comfortable at so moving forward I hope we can secure the remainder of my fights at that weight.
This past Saturday had a big MN vs MN showdown between Caleb Truax and Matt Vanda. Now you and Fort get your own regional showdown.. Like Vanda, you have been a part of many big local showdowns, beating Vanda twice by UD and knocking out Bonsante… Is there any special motivation when fighting an in state rival?
Kolle….There’s always a little extra motivation with in state fights, not necessarily because there is bad blood but because these are the fights that people remember and talk about. Also a little extra motivation comes from the fact that we will run into each other again and you want to be the guy that won the fight. My hats off to Caleb and Matt for putting on the show they did last week. I’ve been hearing about it everyday since, and that is the type of publicity that elevates MN boxing.
Cerresso Fort was given the impression he was fighting for the MN Jr. Middleweight title by promotion when he fought Dave Peterson last fall. This Friday you and he get to fight for the real title at 154.. Does fighting to be best in class in MN hold special value?
Kolle….I just like to compete and win. To me titles are more for the fans, but it is great to be recognized as the best.

Did you watch Fort/Peterson? Any thoughts taken from that fight?
Kolle….I watched parts of it, and it looked like one hell of a scrap, very fan friendly. My trainers and I picked up on a few things throughout the fight that I think will help me to be victorious on the 25th. Fort is an exception fighter but as long as I fight my fight and don’t get lured into his, we’ll be celebrating the W after.

Fort has been putting your name out there for some time, and I know you have welcomed the fight since well before your one handed victory over Walker. How glad are you to be able to get in there with Fort?
Kolle….Fort knows that to make it out of this state and be successful you have to fight the top guys in the state first. I am happy to get in the ring with him because I know it will be a challenge and thats what I love, to compete against whoever will push me. 

Your life has gotten really busy over the last 6 months, what have you been up to?
Kolle….Its been a wild few months I can tell you that. In September I moved back to Fargo so I could be closer to family, and so my girlfriend could continue her college goals at NDSU. Ever since this fight was signed I have been working for Aflac, which is a great opportunity for me to set something up for life after boxing. I’ve also been working part time at a bar to help pay the bills until I get this new career up and running. So between working full time during the day, part time at the bar, and traveling all over the state to train I haven’t had a whole lot of free time. But with the help of Todd and Jason we have made it work and I am ready to do what needs to be done on Friday.

This Friday brings a ton of great action, aside from your fight, as a fan, what would you most be looking forward to in Fridays event?
Kolle….If I had the opportunity to sit in the stands I would be looking forward to watching T-Rex do his thing, he’s really come a long way since he teamed up with Jason Hendrickson and has a bright future in this sport. Aaron Green is always one to watch as well. 

How do you see Kolle/Fort ending?
Kolle…I don’t know how it will end but my hand will be raised.

Is there anything you would like to add?
Kolle….I would like give a special thank you to Jason Hedrickson, for all the work/miles he put in to help me get ready for this fight. There is no way I would be ready for this fight with out it. Also, Todd Bechthold for getting this fight lined up and jumping thru whatever hoops needed to be jumped thru to make things easier on me since I’m not in the area anymore. A special shout out to Relf Optical and Kayla Bechthold for getting my my eye exam on Saturday afternoon, I appreciate it.

I am looking forward to a war on Friday night, and entertaining everybody that braves the cold to come and support MN boxing!

Close to 5000 people watched history Saturday night. Caleb Truax and Matt Vanda electrified the crowd for 10 rounds…

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For 17 years Matt Vanda has been Minnesota’s most electrifying fighter and biggest draw. Win, lose, or draw, the fans were getting their money’s worth. Saturday night, in Vanda’s final fight, he brought the crowd, action, will, determination, and everything you’d expect from The Predator for 10 full rounds…. Vanda clearly did not come to just say goodbye, he came to end things with a victory… But “Golden” Caleb Truax had other plans.. On a night of great action, capped off by Truax/Vanda, the main event was also the fight of the night. Michael Faulk proved many, myself included, that he can bring the boom and excitement as he surprised most with a thrilling KO of crowd favorite Jon Schmidt…. It may have been the only stoppage of the evening, but it would be worthy of KO of the night on many a card….Follow MNBoxingLeague on Twitter. and MNBoxingLeague on Facebook.

Caleb Truax over Matt Vanda by UD in 10…… The scores from the judges had it as close as 2 points and as far as 9… I was too busy enjoying the great action to score for myself other than having Truax ahead in rounds… This was one of those rare local match-ups where the crowd was proud and loud for both fighters, every round ending with people standing and cheering on both men.. Vanda came determined and ready to rumble!! He attacked in every round… Equally impressive was Truax doing the same thing… This was the dance all had hoped for but some did not see coming… While Truax clearly won, Vanda did not lose.. As the rounds pilled up, so did Caleb Truax’s lead, but each round was its own fight and it lasted all 10, no breaks, no rounds off, just action, sweat and work… Both fighters hurt each other and both came right back to the middle of the ring… In the end, Truax’s size and skill won the fight. But they both won the night, frankly, the fans were the biggest winners of all, this was one of, if not the best all action MN vs MN fight I have witnessed… Again, I don’t want to take away from Truax’s victory… He won, he deserved to win, and he was impressive.. He just keeps getting better and there is little doubt in peoples minds that big things are on the horizon for Golden Truax… Very fitting way for Vanda’s career to end and Truax to take the lead and carry the torch going forward…

Charles Meier over Travis Perzynski by MD in 8…. This too was a war, both fighters hit the mat and both came  back swinging… Very close fight, and with the knock-downs canceling each other out, I had Meier’s superior boxing skill win a close one… Great fight and on most nights, fight of the night… Love to watch both guys again!

Mohammed Kayongo over Gilbert Venagas by UD in 6…. This was a war from start to finish, another great action packed fight… Kayongo’s ring rust was there, as I think if more active this would have been an easier night for him. Fortunately for Kayongo, he can also bang and thats what it took to get the W.

Mike Faulk over Jon Schmidt by first round TKO…. Wow! I have been hard on Faulk and his style… Big ups to Faulk and the boom he DOES have…. As most, I expected Faulk to use his solid defense and pick and choose his spots. Well, Faulk let fly and caught Schmidt flush, and that was that… Schmidt proudly got to his feet but was unable to continue… Hope to see both fighters in action again soon…

Tony Lee over Leonard Overstreet by UD in 4….. It took Lee all 4 rounds, but he was the better fighter.. This victory seems to pave the way for Lee vs McLaurin…

Kenneth Glenn over Damion Hill by UD in 4…. This was a fun fight and I to had Glenn the victor…

Jeremy McLaurin over Dewyane Wisdom by UD in 4…. I was told before the fight that Wisdom may pull off an upset here.. He did not, but he gave McLaurin all the work he wanted. Wisdom bullied his way inside and tried to stay there all 4 rounds. McLaurin used superior boxing skill and landed the more precise punches, but Wisdom was there all fight and he too landed… I hate four round fights, very hard to score… I had McLaurin winning close fight. This looks to lead in to McLaurin vs Lee….

Its finally here! Truax vs Vanda tonight!!

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  Here is the full card and weights. Caleb Truax gets his shot at one Minnesota boxing’s legends. Matt Vanda was never offered a fight he didnt take… Unlike traditional boxing in Minnestoa, Vanda fought all local comers…. And not waiting until they were too old or making them move up several weight classes. He is a fighters fighter and the list of his Minnesota foes is a who’s who of Minnesota boxing; Troy Lowry, Anthony Bonsante, Kenny Kost, Andy Kolle x 2, Phil Williams…. He’s also been in there with some of the worlds best; Campas x 2, Chavez Jr. x 2, John Duddy, Manfredo Jr., Marco Antonio Rubio…. Vanda won some and lost some but was always there to fight. His fighting spirit is what is all too often lost in boxing… People will never wonder what might have happened if Vanda fought so and so from Minnesota, because he did!!! Caleb Truax seems to be following in the same pattern, he’s taken on Phil Williams twice, Andy Kolle, and has been taking on tough fights for the majority of his carreer…. Tonight we get to see past and present… Most are picking Truax to get a pretty easy victory, but never count out experience and Vanda’s toughness… We are huge fans of both fighters and don’t expect anything other than a great show for the fans…. Follow MNBoxingLeague on Twitter. and MNBoxingLeague on Facebook.

 

The buzz

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I was late in trying to get an interview with Vanda, but here is what he did tell me..

When asked why Caleb Truax (20,1,1) for his last fight? Matt Vanda (44,14) responded…”Why Caleb, they called me out.. They asked for the fight and now they’re going to get it” Truax and Vanda meet this Saturday night at the Minneapolis Convention Center…

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Below is Mr Aaron “Gorilla” Green (8,0) and RJ “T-Rex” Laase (9,1).. This is their last week of camp… They both fight on the Kolle/Fort undercard January 25…

“Golden” Caleb Truax (20,1,1) on his showdown with Matt Vanda (44,14)

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Mr. Caleb Truax was kind enough to do a quick Q & A with us on short notice… This coming Saturday night brings together Minnesota’s two biggest draws and just might be the meeting of boxing’s past with its future… For a decade Minnesota boxing and Matt Vanda have gone hand and hand… He has been apart of the majority of Minnesota’s biggest events for a quite some time… Wars with Bonsante, Kaos Kolle among others. He’s brought media attention to our state with some major national fights and almost always has answered that final bell. Saturday, Caleb Truax plans to put an end to an era… Golden Truax has built his own following and brings energy to every show he is on… His fans and presence are only rivaled by The Predator, and Truax can not wait to show all how far he has come since fighting in Vanda’s shadow… Click here for tickets..

I know a pro like yourself does not need added motivation for any fight, has some of the pre fight banter made for “bulletin board” material?

Truax….You’re right, I don’t need any extra motivation for a fight. It sells tickets and it’s fun to go back and forth with an opponent, especially when you know that the only reason your opponent is talking is to convince himself he actually has a chance to compete with me in the ring… He doesn’t.

There are varying accounts of the sparring you and Vanda had while both of you worked under Ron Lyke, do you see all that time spent together as a plus or minus leading into Saturday’s showdown?

Truax….Sparring with Matt helped me tremendously as I progressed through the pro ranks. That was a long time ago, I can’t wait to show him what I’ve learned since we last boxed.

What will this week be like for you? How does your camp wind down?

Truax….This week will consist of light work and strategy. I want to let my body recover after a hard training camp and be in top form for Saturday night.

Does this feel like the biggest fight of your young career?

Truax…No

If you were not fighting on this card, what fights would you be most interested in Saturday night?

Truax….There are a lot of interesting fights on the card. I have my eye on the Lee and MacLaurin fights because they may fight in the near future. Also Schmidt vs Faulk is a fun fight because I know both guys and their differing styles should make for a good scrap. Meier vs Perzynski could be a war!

Matt Vanda has stated numerous times that this will be it for him. Is that in any way an honor?

Truax….He’s had a long, memorable career and I’m glad the fight could be made before he hung up the gloves for good. Not sure if honor is the right word.

Have you gotten all that you wanted out of this camp?

Truax….Camp was excellent. I got great work from all types of different guys. Schmidt, Meier, Kayongo, Laase, and 30 rds last week from Derrick Findley from Chicago.

How will Truax/Vanda end?

Truax….With my arm being raised in victory for the 21st time.

Thank you for taking the time, is there anything you would like to add?

Truax….Thanks to my team for a great camp, thanks to The League for the time, and thanks to my family, friends, and fans for all the support. Come out this Sat because it’s going to be a night MN boxing won’t forget!

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News and Notes from Minnesota and the Super-Shows…

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Verbal barbs have begone to be slung by Caleb Truax (20,1,1) and Matt Vanda (44,14) as their showdown approaches… They fight January 19 at the Minneapolis Convention Center at 165 pounds…

Things seemed to start heating up when Truax said in a video podcast that he expects to to finish off Matt Vanda before the 8th round of their fight, even saying he’d be disappointed if he didn’t finish off Vanda before the final bell.

Those comments may have spurned on Vanda’s FB post….

Matt Vanda… ” I gotta spar 12 rounds today. I’m kicking your mother$%#^& ass on the 19th. You know who you are. You’re &%$#@ delusional thinking your gonna beat me…”

Following came some back and forth as both men are in fight mode… Follow MNBoxingLeague on Twitter. and MNBoxingLeague on Facebook.

Former NFL player and Viking, Ray Edwards has been added to an already stacked January 25 card… Andy “Kaos” Kolle (25,3) and Cerresso Fort (14,0,1) have been working their butts off through this past holiday season and continue to. Fort is in Vegas getting top notch sparring and working Mayweather Sr., in his prep for his toughest test to date.. Kaos Kolle and coach Jason Hendrickson have been putting the miles in traveling all over MN and ND getting work done! Aaron Green and RJ Laase are fighting their stiffest competition to date on this card as well.

Word is that Robert Brant’s hand was not as bad as thought after his fight Saturday, and he will be fighting Feb 9 in Saint Paul. More on this card in the coming days and weeks.

Also February 9, in Fargo ND, it looks like Tyler “The Hitman” Hultin will get his first main event and first showing as a pro near home. Much more on this in the coming days..

 

VIP’s and tables for Truax (20,1,1) vs Vanda (44,14) gone, three weeks out!!

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According to MinnesotaBoxing.com it sounds like all table’s and most VIP tickets have been sold for Caleb Truax vs Matt Vanda! With the way tickets are moving for this show it could be the most well attended boxing event since Anthony Bonsante and Matt Vanda met in the ring back in 2007… To get your tickets to January 19′s event at the Minneapolis Convention Center go to ofights.com…. Get yours fast, you are not going to want to miss out!

“Golden” Caleb Truax (20,1,1) and RJ “T-Rex” Laase (9,1) getting work in.

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Truax and Laase were able to get some rounds in together yesterday in prep for their upcoming bouts. Golden Truax fights Matt Vanda (44,14) in the main event of January 19th’s super show promoted by Omega Presents… (tickets can be found at www.ofights.com). T-Rex will be fighting undefeated Justin Jones (5,0) January 25 on the undercard of Kolle (25,3) vs Fort (14,0,1) Promoted by RDS Boxing…..(tickets on sale soon for this show at Grand Casino Hinckley). The super shows are, well, super…

Caleb Truax (left) and RJ Laase (right), photo by Jason Hendrickson