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A press conference announcing the showdown between cross-town rivals Matt "The Predator Vanda (35-2) and Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante (28-8) was held last Tuesday afternoon at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Boxing fans in Minnesota have been waiting for this fight to materialize ever since the two fighters began their feud four years ago. Bonsante's Minnesota State Middleweight title will be on the line. It was also announced Tuesday that the vacant IBA Americas Middleweight title will be at stake when the two meet on January 12, 2006.
Both men fought in separate bouts at the Target Center on November 17. Following Bonsante's victory over Troy Lowry that night, he called out Vanda on the microphone in the ring and words were exchanged, adding more fuel to the rivalry. More were reportedly exchanged back stage in Bonsante's dressing room.
Although talks between the two have been heated in the past, both men were surprisingly calm and even respectful with what they had to say about each other at the press conference.
Vanda, who was vacationing with his family in Florida, addressed Bonsante and those present by speaker phone.
"I am down here in Florida training with my old coaches Norman Wilson and John David Jackson, just moving around a little bit with some of the guys here, but the real hard work starts when I get back to Minnesota next week." said Vanda. "You know, Tony Bonsante is a tough fighter. I don't have anything bad to say about the guy. We don't like each other, but he is a good, tough fighter. I want to kick his ass and he wants to kick mine. This is what Minnesota boxing fans have wanted to see for a long time. I just hope I
don't end up in jail for domestic assault!" When asked where Bonsante ranks with the guys he has fought leading up to this fight Vanda said number two, behind Yory Boy Campas.
Bonsante says that he has been looking for a showdown with Vanda for a long time and is excited to finally get the chance to face him. “I am looking forward to fighting Vanda. I have been for a while and I know the state has also. It is going to be a great fight. I expect to win and so does Matt. On January 12th we can finally settle our differences in the squared circle. This card is filled with talent. Not just the main event so I hope everybody comes down to the Target Center to watch some great boxing."
Afterwards Bonsante and Vanda both agreed that the loser of their fight will buy the winner two beers, one for each belt.
The undercard will feature some of the state’s other talent. Joey Abell (9-1, 9 KOs) of Minneapolis and Raphael Butler (23-3, 19 KOs) of Rochester will fight in separate bouts. The two heavyweights met as amateurs and hope to meet each other as pros in the
near future. Butler acknowledged at the press conference that Abell handed him his only "true" loss as an amateur and would like the opportunity to avenge it.
Another rivalry that has been brewing recently is between Minnesota featherweights Wilton Hilario (6-0) and Allen Litzau (11-2). Both fighters will be in action on the 12th and both say they are looking forward to seeing who the better man is when they finally do meet.
"The Matador" Raul Garcia (6-0) of Saint Paul is also scheduled to box in a welterweight bout.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at TicketMaster.
Boxing fans in Minnesota have been waiting for this fight to materialize ever since the two fighters began their feud four years ago. Bonsante's Minnesota State Middleweight title will be on the line. It was also announced Tuesday that the vacant IBA Americas Middleweight title will be at stake when the two meet on January 12, 2006.
Both men fought in separate bouts at the Target Center on November 17. Following Bonsante's victory over Troy Lowry that night, he called out Vanda on the microphone in the ring and words were exchanged, adding more fuel to the rivalry. More were reportedly exchanged back stage in Bonsante's dressing room.
Although talks between the two have been heated in the past, both men were surprisingly calm and even respectful with what they had to say about each other at the press conference.
Vanda, who was vacationing with his family in Florida, addressed Bonsante and those present by speaker phone.
"I am down here in Florida training with my old coaches Norman Wilson and John David Jackson, just moving around a little bit with some of the guys here, but the real hard work starts when I get back to Minnesota next week." said Vanda. "You know, Tony Bonsante is a tough fighter. I don't have anything bad to say about the guy. We don't like each other, but he is a good, tough fighter. I want to kick his ass and he wants to kick mine. This is what Minnesota boxing fans have wanted to see for a long time. I just hope I
don't end up in jail for domestic assault!" When asked where Bonsante ranks with the guys he has fought leading up to this fight Vanda said number two, behind Yory Boy Campas.
Bonsante says that he has been looking for a showdown with Vanda for a long time and is excited to finally get the chance to face him. “I am looking forward to fighting Vanda. I have been for a while and I know the state has also. It is going to be a great fight. I expect to win and so does Matt. On January 12th we can finally settle our differences in the squared circle. This card is filled with talent. Not just the main event so I hope everybody comes down to the Target Center to watch some great boxing."
Afterwards Bonsante and Vanda both agreed that the loser of their fight will buy the winner two beers, one for each belt.
The undercard will feature some of the state’s other talent. Joey Abell (9-1, 9 KOs) of Minneapolis and Raphael Butler (23-3, 19 KOs) of Rochester will fight in separate bouts. The two heavyweights met as amateurs and hope to meet each other as pros in the
near future. Butler acknowledged at the press conference that Abell handed him his only "true" loss as an amateur and would like the opportunity to avenge it.
Another rivalry that has been brewing recently is between Minnesota featherweights Wilton Hilario (6-0) and Allen Litzau (11-2). Both fighters will be in action on the 12th and both say they are looking forward to seeing who the better man is when they finally do meet.
"The Matador" Raul Garcia (6-0) of Saint Paul is also scheduled to box in a welterweight bout.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at TicketMaster.
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