Boxing Info: Anthony Bonsante vs Matt Vanda

ByBoxing Press

“Bad Blood” spills over January 12 in Minnesota as bitter archrivals Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante and Matt “The Predator” Vanda finally meet in the ring in a Minnesota dream match at The Target Center in Minneapolis.

The 10-round main event matches The Contender Season One star Bonsante (28-3-3, 17 KOs), of Shakopee, defending his recently captured Minnesota State middleweight championship, as well as fighting for the vacant IBA Americas title belt, against former IBA Americas light middleweight title-holder Vanda (35-2, 21 KOs), fighting out of St. Paul.

Former Minnesota boxer Tony Grygelko’s Seconds Out Promotions, Guzman Entertainment and Midwest Sports Council, in association with The Target Center, are presenting “Bad Blood.”

Bonsante, who registered an 11th round TKO of 31-1 Tony Ayala, Jr. for the vacant IBA super middleweight title in 2003, won the vacant Minnesota middleweight title on the November 17 show in Minneapolis, stopping St. Paul veteran Troy Lowry (27-6) in the eighth round. “They call him ‘The Predator’ but I’ve been calling him out for six years,” Bonsante said about his match-up against Vanda. “Now he’s fighting me because I’m 36 and you can time my punches with a calendar. I’ll still beat his ass. I’ve been jaw-jacking him the last six years and January 12th it’ll finally happen and everybody will see who the better fighter is. I’d call this fight The Contender versus The Pretender.”

Vanda is coming off an impressive victory by unanimous 10-round decision November 17
against Dillon Carew at The Target Center. In 2005, Matt defeated former world champion “Yory Boy” Campas by 12-round decision for the IBA Americas light middleweight title. “I’m 35-2 and don’t like losing,” Vanda remarked. “I’m going to knock Bonsante out. I don’t take anything away from Tony. He’s a tough guy. But he has no skills compared to my boxing skills. I’m just hitting my prime and I’m stronger than ever. I can beat the best middleweights in the world.”

In a pair of six-round bouts featuring Minnesota heavyweights prospects, Minneapolis knockout artist Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell (9-1, 9 KOs) fights an opponent to be determined, while

Rochester’s Raphael Butler (23-3, 19 KOs) takes on Josh “The Griz” Gutcher (18-6, 13 KOs).
Minnesota State featherweight champion Allen “The American Boy” Litzau (11-2, 6 KOs), of St. Paul, also will be showcased against Elvis “El Burrito” Martinez (10-19-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round, non-title bout.

Unbeaten featherweight sensation Wilton Hilario (6-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of St. Louis Park (MN), will put his perfect record on the line against former world champion Juan Polo Perez (46-44-4, 23 KOs) in a six-round match.

Also on the undercard is St. Paul welterweight Raul “The Matador” Gracia (6-0, 2 KOs), who faces David Hernandez (4-4-2, 2 KOs) in a four-round battle. 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 for $200.00 and $250.00.

Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 7 PM. For more information call 612.673.1600 or go to www.targetcenter.com.