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Vanda
in crossroads fight
April 6 at the Target Center in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (March 22, 2007) - Middleweight Matt "The Predator" Vanda is
at the crossroads of his pro career as he prepares for his eight-round
fight April 6 against Alexis Divison on the undercard of "Heavyweight
Invasion," co-promoted by Minnesota-based Tony Grygelko's Seconds Out
Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions, at The Target Center in
Minneapols.
Showtime's "Showbox: The Next Generation" series is broadcasting the
main event and co-feature on the "Heavyweight Invasion card," headlined
by a 12-round title bout between Travis "Freight Train" Walker and
George "El Torito" Garcia for the vacant IBA Americas heavweight
championship, also featuring Minnesota native Raphael Butler in an
eight-round heavyweight battle against an opponent to be determined.
Vanda (35-3, 21 KOs), former IBA Americas light middleweight champion,
is coming off of a disappointing 10-round loss to intra-state rival
Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante on January 12 at the Target Center.
Vanda's slated to fight former Dominican Republic welterweight champion
Divison (16-5, 12 KOs), now fighting out of Miami.
"My loss to Bonsante was a setback and if I lose this fight I might as
well find a new job," St. Paul native Vanda said. "I'm not making
excuses, Bonsante won fair and square, but I think I tried to box too
much against him and I overtrained. I was ready two weeks before the
fight. I moved too much and should have stood and slugged more. Now I'm
back to sitting and slugging. I just didn't do it against Bonsante. I
knew he was tough, but he was a lot stronger than I thought.
"I have my crew coming from the Eastside of St. Paul again. I have to
start kicking ass, though, or get out of the sport. It's take no
prisoners time. I love fighting and I haven't gotten hurt, but I need to
win this fight. Boxing is an unforgiving sport. I'd like to fight
Bonsante again. Who knows? But I'd like redemption against him. First,
though, I have to beat this guy."
Walker (22-0-1, 17 KOs), 2003 National Golden Gloves champion, lost to
Garcia (13-0, 4 KOs) at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Butler (25-3, 20 KOs), fighting out of Rochester (MN), became the
youngest heavyweight in the world to notch 20 knockout victories when he
stopped Brad Bowers in the first round last February 24. The 23-year-old
Butler, 2004 National Golden Gloves winner, is one of only three
heavyweights younger than 26 with 20 or more knockouts.
Other Minnesota fighters showcased on "Heavyweight Invasion" in
six-round matches include St. Paul super featherweight Allen "The
American Boy" Litzau (12-2, 6 KOs) against upset-minded Jenkens Alvarez
(5-8-1, 1 KO), while unbeaten featherweight knockout senasation Wilton
"Pretty Warrior" Hilario (7-0, 7 KOs), of St. Louis Park, takes on
former two-time world title challenger Luis "El Monstruito" Bolano
(41-7, 31 KOs).
Drew Peterson (1-1) and Van Goodman (0-1) have been added to the card in
a four-round battle Minneapolis heavyweights. Also on the show in
four-round bouts are Blaine super middleweight Jon Schmidt (1-0, 1 KO)
versus Shirome Baltcher (0-1), of St. Paul, and Osseo super middleweight
Caleb Truax, a recent graduate of the Unversity of Minnesota, making his
pro debut against TBA. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $50.00, $100.00 and $250.00
(ringside), are available at the Target Center box office, all
TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone
at 651.989.5151.
For the first time in Minnesota boxing history the undercard will be
shown live on the Internet at www.crystalclearsports.net. |
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