Cerresso Fort; Not Your Average Midwest Fighter

For years, boxing’s hardcore fans and media members have discredited fighters from the Midwest. Whether it’s due to the amount of fighters with subpar records that are used as stepping stones by bigger promoters or the fact that most of their prospects were defeated when they faced tougher foes, there are very few heralded prospects out of the Midwest.

Minnesota middleweight Cerresso Fort is determined to change that while turning doubters into believers.

Fresh out of a St. Petersburg, FL training camp, Fort, 10-0 (8 KO’s), faces fellow Minnesotan Tim Taggart in a six round bout Friday evening at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. 15rounds caught up with Fort just moments after an intense training session.

Matt Yanofsky: What do you know about Tim Taggart? He’s another local fighter. Have you sparred with him in the past?

Cerresso Fort: I don’t know anything about him. I’ve never even seen him before.

MY: You have a perfect record of 10-0 with 8 KO’s and all but one of your fights have taken place locally. What does it feel like to fight at home when many fighters have to hit the road?

CF: It’s a great feeling to fight at home!

MY: There seems to be a misconception of fighters from the Midwest since many boxers from that region are regarded as opponents. Does it upset you at all that even though you’re unbeaten that some will overlook you since you’re from Minnesota?

CF: There were actually a lot of great fighters from the Midwest. Sugar Ray Robinson Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joe Louis all came out of the Midwest. Some of the greatest fighters ever are from the Midwest.

MY: Is there a fighter that you look up to and try to model your style after or are you striving to be the best Cerresso Fort possible?

CF: I try to be the best I can but I get a lot of remarks saying I’m a Jeff Lacy type fighter, so that’s a regular comparison.

MY: In the amateurs, you competed in renowned tournaments such as the National Golden Gloves. Tell us about your full amateur background.

CF: I started boxing when I was 12 years old. I went to the finals in my first national tournament and finished in second place, which was my first loss. I won the Junior Olympics and Ringside Tournament and had to win five fights in a row to do so. In the National Golden Gloves, I made it to the quarter finals. Overall, I had 121 amateur fights with only 18 losses.

MY: Tell us about your team. Who is your trainer, manager and promoter?

CF: I’m currently unpromoted. John is my manager and that’s really it right now. We’re hoping to link up with a big promoter in the near future.

MY: Why should fans want to watch Cerresso Fort instead of another prospect?

CF: Because I am all about hard work and dedication. I’m an exciting fighter that gives it all I’ve got. I go in the ring to take care of business and haven’t been in a boring fight yet!

MY: Thanks for your time. What do you have to say in closing to your fans and others that may watch you one day?

CF: I thank god and 15rounds.com for interviewing me. I appreciate all of the Team Cerresso Fort supporters. I want to build a winning team not only in the ring, but in the community to help out the kids. I’ve also opened up my own boxing gym Element Boxing & Fitness.