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Former world heavyweight title challenger and Minnesota boxing icon Scott “The Fighting Frenchman” LeDoux is largely responsible for bringing pro boxing back to his home state.
LeDoux, 33-13-4 (22 KOs) as a pro boxer, successfully lobbied to reinstate the Minnesota Boxing Commission to create more opportunities for the state’s best boxers to fight at home. Now the executive director of the five-member commission, LeDoux’ hard work culminates November 17 with the first Minnesota pro boxing show in five years, billed Boxing is Back! — featuring an all-star cast of Minnesota fighters – at The Target Center in Minneapolis.
‘It was a long process because I didn’t know how to get a bill written and sponsored,” LeDoux explained. “Last fall I spoke to the governor and he said he’d do everything he could to get it (boxing bill) passed. I became an elected official (County Commissioner in Anoka) and a few legislators helped me write the bill. Then I testified before 12 different committees.
“We’re all excited about November 17 and want to see a lot more fights in Minnesota. We have 11 different main event fighters in Minnesota who weren’t able to fight in their home state. Now they’ll have that chance.”
The Contender Season One star Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante (27-8, 15 KOs), of Shakopee (MN), headlines against St. Paul super middleweight Troy “TNT” Lowry (27-6, 16 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant Minnesota State middleweight championship. In the 10-round co-feature, St. Paul middleweight Matt “The Predator” Vanda (34-2, 21 KOs) battles veteran Quandry “Candy” Robertson (14-9, 4 KOs).
“Boxing Is Back!” is presented by former Minnesota boxer Tony Grygelko’s Seconds Out Promotions.
LeDoux, who fought Larry Holmes for the World Boxing Council heavyweight title in 1980, retired from the ring in 1983 after fighting professionally for 10 years. He took on a virtual Who’s Who of heavyweights in the mid-seventies to early eighties: Holmes, Frank Bruno, Gerri Coetzee, Greg Page, Mike Weaver, Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Leon Spinks and Duane Bobick to name some of his more notable opponents.
“Tony’s (Grygelko) put a good group together,” LeDoux added. “He’s such an intellectual guy. Tony will get the job done. He’s very enthusiastic. This is his maiden voyage and he will learn a lot. But he’s very bright and a former fighter who knows how promotions should be done. I know he’ll do a good job. What we all have to do is follow the book closely and do the right thing.”
Impressive victories by Bonsante and Vanda could set-up an All-Minnesota showdown between the archrivals in January at the Target Center in the second show of Seconds Out Promotions’ planned boxing series.
In the eight-round chief supporting bout, Minnesota State light heavyweight champion Zack “Jungle Boy” Walters (15-1, 11 KOs), fighting out of Long Prairie (MN), steps up in class to battle Columbian KO specialist Hugo Pineda (37-3-1, 27 KOs).
Also on the undercard, Andy Kolle (10-1, 8 KOs), of Fergus Falls (MN), meets Cuban middleweight Andres “Kid Cubita” Larrinaga in a six-round bout. Minnesota State featherweight champion Allen “The American Boy” Litzau (10-2, 6 KOs), of St. Paul, has been added to the Minnesota all-star card against Bronx veteran Hassan “Kato” Wasswa in another six-rounder. Litzau is the brother of undefeated featherweight Jason Litzau (20-0, 18 KOs), who is rated No. 8 by the WBA and No. 10 by the IBF.
In three other four-round matches showcasing local favorites, St. Louis Park (MN) featherweight Wilton Hilario (4-0, 4 KOs) tangles with Elvis “El Burrito” Martinez (10-18-2, 4 KOs); Minneapolis super middleweight Phillip Williams (1-0, 1 KO) takes on Jake Hecht (0-1); Minneapolis middleweight John Schmidt makes his pro debut versus 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.
