30.12.06 – Newly crowned Minnesota middleweight champion Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante’s years of stalking bitter intra-state archrival Matt “The Predator” Vanda finally ends January 12 when they headline “Bad Blood” in the 10-round main event at The Target Center in Minneapolis. The Contender Season One star Bonsante (28-3-3, 17 KOs), of Shakopee, defends state title belt and fights for the vacant IBA Americas championship against former IBA Americas light middleweight title-holder Vanda (35-2, 21 KOs), fighting out of St. Paul..
“Bad Blood” is presented by former Minnesota boxer Tony Grygelko’s Seconds Out Promotions, in association with The Target Center.
Bonsante won the vacant Minnesota middleweight title on a November 17 show at The Target Center in Minneapolis, stopping St. Paul veteran Troy Lowry (27-6) in the eighth round, while Vanda comes off an impressive victory by unanimous 10-round decision against Dillon Carew on the same card, setting the stage for the long awaited, much-anticipated Minnesota dream fight Jan. 12 between these familiar adversaries.
“I’ve been trying to make this fight for years,” Bonsante said. “When I first turned pro, Vanda was the guy everybody talked about around here. The still are but more are talking about me, especially after being on The Contender (first season). He calls himself ‘The Predator’ but I call him, ‘The Pretender.’ It’s The Contender versus The Pretender. I’ll fight him like I fight all of my fights. He’s a little faster but he doesn’t have my heart and determination. The only thing I’m concerned about is Vanda showing up January 12th to get his beating.
“I’m 36 and have a lot more to fight for than he does – pride! Like they said in The Cinderella Man, I know what I’m fighting for, my two children and new fiancé. You know, Vanda isn’t that bright, or he wouldn’t need his name tattooed on him to know how to spell it.”
In a pair of six-round bouts featuring Minnesota heavyweights prospects, Minneapolis KO specialist Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell (9-1, 9 KOs) takes on Larry White (3-2, 2 KOs), while Rochester’s talented Raphael Butler (23-3, 19 KOs) fights battle tested Josh “The Griz” Gutcher (18-6, 13 KOs).
Minnesota State featherweight champion Allen “The American Boy” Litzau (11-2, 6 KOs), of St. Paul, faces Elvis “El Burrito” Martinez (10-19-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round, non-title match.
Unbeaten featherweight sensation Wilton Hilario (6-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of St. Louis Park (MN), steps up in class against former world champion Juan Polo Perez (46-44-4, 23 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Also on the undercard is St. Paul welterweight Raul “The Matador” Gracia (6-0, 2 KOs) versus David Hernandez (4-4-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder; Minnesota middleweights Kenny “K.O.” Kost (10-2, 6 KOs), of Centerville, and Maplewood’s Robert Kliewer (1-1-1, 1 KO) square-off in a four-round bout, St. Paul junior middleweight Jon Laboda makes his pro debut against 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 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.