Exclusive Boxing Interview: Jason Litzau
| If you call yourself a boxing fan, then you should know who “The American Boy” Jason Litzau, 18-0 (16), is by now. If you don’t, than shame on you, but do not worry because this Friday night, Litzau will be the main event for ESPN2’s Fright Night Fights boxing series. It was almost a year ago to the day when Litzau was last on the Friday Night Fights telecast. In that bout, Litzau took on the tough Johnny Nolasco. |  Click for larger image © theamericanboys.com |
“Mentally I wasn’t prepared,” Litzau recalled. “I had a lot of personal problems going on outside the ring at that time.”
That night against Nolasco, Litzau found himself on the canvas in the 7th round from a well timed Nolasco left hook. The American Boy showed tremendous heart and beat the count only to survive a relentless attack from Nolasco in the closing seconds. By round nine, Litzau was gaining back the momentum and caught Nolasco flush with a sweeping hook that practically lifted his opponent off his feet. Litzau probably would have ended the fight there but Nolasco proved that he took could also survive while hurt. That night Jason earned a tough split decision victory as well as the hightest rated episode of Friday Night Fights for 2005. But more impo! rtantly, he did not allow his problems outside the ring to overwhelm him inside the squared circle.
Those personal struggles Litzau talked about are supporting his young family, mainly his daughters. The night of the Nolasco fight, a contract with promotional company Main Events was on the line if Litzau was victorious. But the contract meant something more to Litzau, it gave him the opportunity to provide for his family and give his daughters the better life that he and his brother (another pro fighter) Allen never got to experience. “Mentally I had to get through those problems,” Litzau explained. “Now I can focus on just boxing.” Which is exactly what Litzau has been doing.
Since the Nolasco fight the St. Paul, Minnesota native has improved in each contest and his best performance came on the Arturo Gatti – Thomas Damgaard undercard where he stoppped two time world title challenger Carlos Contreras in the 6th round.
But don’t think just because Litzau did eventually get that contract with Main Events and survived his first scare of his young career during the Nolasco fight that he has lost sight of his inspiration. “I just feel I can’t lose,” Litzau stated. “I got so much on my shoulders trying to give my daughters a better life and I bring that into the ring with me everytime.”
It is that inspiration that Litzau will carry into the ring with him this Friday night for his 19th pro fight which the Minnesota man has been training for in the past few months down in Florida. Litzau admitted that his training camp as gone extremely well by adding, “My punches are sharper than ever and on point and you can expect beautiful combinations along with some devastating power.”
Litzau’s original opponent had to pull out of the upcoming bout because of a cut suffered in training camp. But Litzau shrugged it off by saying, “It doesn’t matter to me who I fight, I want somebody good, because I train 110 percent everyday, through all the blood and tears. I’m doing this for my family and for the troops that are dying for me overseas.”
You can certainly bet that when “The American Boy”, Jason Litzau, enters the ring this week it will be a truly exciting contest. The 23 year old confirmed that Friday’s bout “…is going to be a great and entertaining one. This is something boxing fans are beginning to expect from The American Boy.” Litzau also concluded that he would like one more fight by the year’s end. Which would mean it is looking like Litzau’s camp is gearing up for some big moves in 2007. As of this moment no one can say what the future will bring for this talented young fighter, just make sure you have a front row seat.
Check out Litzau’s website http://www.theamericanboys.com/