Minnesota fight fans have not had to shake up their lodging plans too much this holiday season.
Friday November 13 Phil Williams and Matt Vanda did battle in front of a sold out ballroom, and a Fox Sports regional audience. The local fan favorites exchanged everything from jabs to innovative dance moves. After an entertaining and tactical ten round affair Vanda walked away with a split decision victory leaving a sour taste in the mouth of Williams’ Minneapolis based following, and a new field of opportunity for Matt Vanda.
Williams has expressed interest in a rematch and an optimistic outlook on his future, having boxed impressively against a 50 fight veteran in his first ten round bout. Vanda, meanwhile will surely have a few opportunities roll his way following a big local win.
The card also featured a fine line up of the State’s most promising prospects. Wilton Hilario(12-0-1) showed maturity and patience as he cruised to a unanimous decision win over Leon Bobo. Cerresso Fort (8-0)showed the sold out crowd he could take a punch as he outworked Lamar Harris in a fan friendly barn burner, and his newest stablemate Javontae Starks(1-0)made short work of Dan Copp, showing the promise and athletecism that has followed him through his amateur career with a first round stoppage.
It was a night to remember for fight fans in the land of lakes, the kind of night that would have you asking when the next opportunity to experience an electric atmosphere of that nature would arise. The answer may have surfaced early this week. It was reported that ShoBox will air from Grand Casino Hinckley on December 18, a show which will also feature a handful of Minnesota prospects to round out the card.
Although nothing has been confirmed with the two televised slots , a Luis Carlos Abregu vs. Richard Guitterrez bout has been named as a possibility. Minnesotan’s who are said to be taking part in the card are Starks and Fort, with just over a month’s rest from their last bouts, and undefeated lightweight Jeremy Mclaurin.
With Caleb Truax fighting for a WBF belt in St. Paul this Saturday, and heavyweights Joey Abell and Raphael Butler going toe to toe on December 4 at Target Center the holiday season has been a busy one for the Minnesota boxing scene, and if reports are true it will all culminate in the state’s first nationally televised date since 2007.