Boxing Is Back in Minnesota

Bonsante vs. Lowry, Vanda vs. Robertson
Nov. 17 at Target Center in Minneapolis

A Minnesota all-star caliber pro boxing show billed, Boxing Is Back!, is on tap Friday night, November 17, featuring many local favorites including archrivals Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante and Matt “The Predator” Vanda in separate bouts, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Contender Season One star Bonsante (27-8, 15 KOs), of Shakopee (MN), takes on St. Paul super middleweight Troy “TNT” Lowry (27-6, 16 KOs), in the 10-round main event, while St. Paul middleweight Vanda (34-2, 21 KOs) faces upset minded Quandry “Candy” Robertson (14-9, 4 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

“Boxing Is Back!” is presented by Seconds Out Promotions, owned and operated by former Minnesota pro boxer Tony Grygelko.

“We’re bringing together Minnesota’s best pro fighters,” Grygelko said. “We’ve announced a series with the second show scheduled here in January. This unique series will determine the last Minnesota boxer standing. Our goal is to not only make the beautiful Target Center the Mecca of Boxing in Minnesota, but throughout the entire Midwest, where the best fighters around will want to fight. We’ve gone back to grassroots promoting in an effort to fill the house November 17. We want to create an upbeat, family oriented environment for boxing.”

Bonsante has been calling out Vanda for nearly three years and an impressive victory against Lowry and win by Vanda could set-up a All-Minnesota dream match — Bonsante-Vanda –in
January at the Target Center in the second show of Seconds Out Promotions’ aforementioned boxing series.

In 2003, Bonsante registered an 11th round TKO of 31-1 Tony Ayala, Jr. for the vacant IBA super middleweight title. “All I’ve ever asked for was a shot at proving myself,” Bonsante remarked. “This card and series gives me that chance. I’m in the best shape of my life.”
Lowry is a seasoned veteran who only two fights ago upset 36-8-1 Santiago Samaniego by sixth-round technical decision. Troy also has been in the ring against the likes of former three-time world champion Hector “Macho” Camacho, Vanda, Yuri Foreman, Christopher Holt and Steve Roberts. “This is a tough fight,” Lowry noted, “but a personal challenge I’ve worked hard to earn.”

Vanda is coming off a disappointing loss (May 25) by eight-round majority decision to Martinus Clay, after Matt had won three in a row against former world champion “Yori Boy” Campas for the IBA Americas light middleweight title, Lowry and Patrick Thompson. Matt’s opponent, “Candy” Robertson, has fought the iron including current WBO junior middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk, IBF light middleweight title challenger Carlos Bojorquez, and Carlos Quintana, who fights Miquel Cotto December 2 for the vacant WBA welterweight championship. “I can’t afford another setback,” Vanda commented. “This is a defining moment for me. I have to be able to win this fight to get my career back on track.”

The chief supporting match on the undercard pits Minnesota light heavyweight champion Zack “Jungle Boy” Walters (15-1, 11 KOs), of Long Prairie (MN), against Columbian knockout artist Hugo Pineda (37-3-1, 27 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Middleweight Andy Kolle (10-1, 8 KOs), of Fergus Falls (MN), faces Haitian hit man Julio Jean (7-9, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. In four-round matches, St. Louis Park (MN) featherweight Wilton Hilario (4-0, 4 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line in his stiffest test versus Edgar Vargas (9-3, 1 KO); Minneapolis super middleweight Phillip Williams (1-0, 1 KO) battles Jake Hecht (0-1); Minneapolis middleweight John Schmidt (1-0, 1 KO) meets an opponent to be determined. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00, are available at the Target Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 651.989.5151. VIP tables also are available.

Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 7 PM. For more information call 612.673,1600 or go to www.targetcenter.com.