Heavywight Invasion: It’s Showtime in Minneapolis

ByBoxing Press

Tony Grygelko’s Seconds Out Promotions, co-promoting with Goossen Tutor Promotions, is bringing Showtime’s “Showbox: The Next Generation” series to Minneapolis on April 6 at The Target Center.

“Heavyweight Invasion,” headlined by a 12-round title bout between Travis “Freight Train” Walker and George “El Torito” Garcia for the vacant IBA Americas heavweight championship, features Minnesota native Raphael Butler in an eight-round heavyweight battle against unbeaten Nigerian power-puncher Teke “African Prince” Oruh, and showcases several Gopher State fighters.

“Our April 6th show not only brings Showtime to Minneapolis,” Grygelko said, “but it continues our commitment to bring big-time boxing back to Minnesota. Working with Minnesota boxing commissioner Scott LeDoux and the Target Center, Seconds Out Promotions is presenting its third show in less than six months, which has given local boxers the opportunity to fight at home often and in front of family and friends. We want Minneapolis to be the mecca of boxing in the Midwest.”

Minnesota fighters scheduled to appear on “Heavyweight Invasion” includes middleweight Matt “The Predator” Vanda and super featherweight Allen “The American Boy” Litzau from St. Paul, St. Louis Park featherweight Wilton “Pretty Warrior” Hilario, Blaine super middleweight Jon Schmidt and Osseo super middleweight Caleb Truax.

Walker (22-0-1, 17 KOs), 2003 National Golden Gloves champion, is coming off an eight-tound decision last November on Showbox against 2004 U.S. Olympic super heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada. Garcia (13-0, 4 KOs) defeated Walker at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, 30-25.

Butler (25-3, 20 KOs), fighting out of Rochester (MN), became the youngest heavyweight in the world to notch 20 knockout victories when he stopped Brad Bowers in the first round this past February 24. The 23-year-old Butler, 2004 National Golden Gloves winner, is one of only three heavyweights younger than 26 with 20 or more knockouts. The unbeaten Oruh (13-0-1, 6 Kos), now fighting out of Las Vegas, hails from Lagos, Nigeria.

Vanda (35-3, 21 KOs), former IBA Americas light middleweight champion, hopes to rebound from his disappointing 10-round loss to intra-state rival Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante on January 12 at the Target Center. Vanda’s matched agaisnt veteran Chantel Stanciel (20-5-1, 12 KOs) in an eight round match.

Litzau (12-2, 6 KOs), Minnesota State featherweight title-holder, faces upset-minded Jenkins Alvarez (5-8-1). Hilario (7-0, 7 KOs) attempts to extend his perfect streak against the toughest opponent of his young pro career, former two-time world title challenger Luis “El Monstruito” Bolano (41-7, 31 KOs), in a six-rounder.

Also fighting on the undercard against opponents to be determined are Schmidt (1-1, 1 KO) and pro debuting Truax, who graduated from the University of Minnesota last December having majored in sociology with minors in political science and African American Studies. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $50.00, $100.00 and $250.00 (ringside), are available at the Target Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 651.989.5151.

Doors open at 6 PM/CT, first bout at 6:30 PM/CT. For more information call 612.673,1600 or go to www.targetcenter.com.