By Rick Reeno
Nothing comes easy in life, and featherweight prospect Jason Litzau knows the realities of a hard upbringing, and a tough road to success.
As a child, Litzau went through a harsh day to day life that would of made most people his age lose hope. Litzau had to deal with a mother hooked on alcohol, a father addicted to drugs and later, a physically abusive step-father.
Litzau was able to get through the hard times with the help of his older brother Allen, also a professional prizefighter, as the abusive home life made the two young men lean on each other for support and friendship in the best and worst of times.
A native of St. Paul, Minessotta, Litzau began boxing at the young age of 11. The amateur resume for Litzau is impressive, winning the Silver Gloves Nationals, the Junior Golden Gloves Nationals and the American Boxing Classic Nationals in 2000. It does not end there, he was a three time Upper-Midwest Golden Gloves Champion in three different weight classes, three consecutive years. He won the Upper-Midwest Golden Gloves at 112 pounds in 2000, 119 pounds in 2001 and 125 pounds in 2002. The overall amateur record for Litzau was 125-10.
Litzau decided to turn professional on November 16, 2002, and won his first pro bout by way of a first-round technical knockout. The win streak did not end there, as Litzau went on to stop his next 13 opponents in 6 rounds or less, creating a buzz among insiders in the process.
When Litzau was growing up, he looked up to fighters like Arturo Gatti and Sugar Ray Leonard, now he and Gatti are under the same promotional banner. As a teenager, Litzau used to love watching Gatti's blood and guts battles on television, he never dreamed that one day he would be in the gym helping Gatti prepare for the biggest bout of his career. He served as one of Gatti's sparring partners to help the "blood and guts warrior" prepare for his pay-per-view showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
The first flirtation with adversity came on July 15, 2004, when Litzau, then 13-0 with 13 by KO, was taken to the limit by veteran John Nolasco in a nationally televised bout.
Litzau, unable to stop his opponent with power, was forced to win by doing what knows best - boxing. The win against Nolasco was far from easy, Litzau tasted the canvas for the first time in his career when he got caught by a shot he never saw coming in the seventh round of the bout. Like a seasoned pro, Litzau picked himself up from floor and did not lose his head by staying calm and focusing on winning the remainder of the bout. The fight itself was a barn burner as both fighters gave it their all, but it was clearly evident that Litzau was the better overall fighter. Litzau would end up winning the heated stanza by way of a ten-round split-decision verdict.
More important than showcasing his skills, he proved to himself and the critics that if he was unable to get the knockout, he would be able to go the distance while fighting at a high pace.
The win over Nolasco showed that Litzau had the guts and desire to do whatever it takes to win, a necessity for any fighter dreaming of one day becoming a champion. Shortly after the Nolasco bout, he signed a multi-year contract with Main Events, regarded as one of the top promotional companies in the boxing business.
After Nolasco, he won a one-sided ten round decision over Miguel Angel Munguia. The critics began to question his power as he suddenly went the distance in two consecutive bouts. There were questions as to whether or not he could utilize the previously seen power against better competition as he began to slowly step up against opponents of a higher class.
The questions were answered on Jan 28, when he demolished world-title challenger Carlos Contreras in six rounds. Contreras was supposed to be a test, a decent step up in class, but it became an easy night of work for Litzau. He followed up the win over Contreras by coming back on May 11 to stop Debind Thapa in two rounds.
Regardless of all the success he managed to achieve to the this point, the Minnesota native still has plenty on his mind. He wants to get himself to a level where he can provide a better life for his daughters, and the rest of his family. Never one to sit back, Litzau goes right back to gym after every fight to stay on top of his ring game.
There are no shortcuts in making it to the top in the sport of boxing, Litzau is ready to make his mark through a combination of hard work and perseverance.
