LITZAU PROMISES NEW LOOK
Photos and Story By Jesse Kelley
August 14th, 2009

“The American Boy” Jason Litzau (24-2, 20 KO's) and Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough (21-1-2, 7 KO's) are set to battle this Saturday, August 15th as part of the "Hook City" Pay Per View event. The two flashy fighters will meet in a ten round bout for the vacant NABF title as a supporting bout to Roy Jones Jr. and Jeff Lacy.
Litzau says he will be bringing a new and complete look to the ring this Saturday night. The Saint Paul (MN) born fighter is never in a dull fight but says it was the need to entertain that got him in trouble in his two losses.
"Everybody knows I can bang." Said Litzau. " I wanted to show everybody that I wasn't afraid to bang with those guys (Jose Hernandez and Robert Guerrero). But it's not just about me anymore, I have a family to support. I know I have to fight smarter now and that is what you are going to see. Defense, offense, just a complete fighter."
Litzau talked more about those changes as well as his thoughts on the showdown with Kimbrough days before leaving for Mississippi.

After learning of the fight with Kimbrough a few weeks ago, you left for training camp in Las Vegas were you sparred with Nevada boxers including Wes Ferguson (20-4). Talk about your camp in Vegas.
It was HOT in Vegas. I mean it wasn't for me but I trained hard out there. I am ready. I've been pretty much training for three months now so we are ready. I hardly stepped out of the gym since my last fight (in April). I've grown up a lot now and I am just ready to fight. On any given call I am there to fight anyone.

Win or lose, you always make your fights exciting. But following your loss to Guerrero, you and your team have given your fighting style a little make over. Those changes showed in your last bout against a much larger fighter in Philip Payne. Talk about some of the things you have added to your game.
I believe I am just now getting my man strength. I was a late bloomer in highschool so my man strength is coming now. It's a beautiful thing. I am also a smarter fighter now instead of being young and wild. Those are the two big changes that I have made since the last time you saw me. Strength and intelligence in the ring. Defense, offense, everything. I am picking my shots better now. I always tried to please everybody by looking past defense at times but you are going to see a complete fighter this time out. I used to just bang and get in wars to entertain people but now I am going to entertain them by boxing smart. If it comes to having to go to war, we know we can do that too.

What do you know about your opponent Verquan Kimbrough and what do you expect from him?
I knew him from the amateurs but there's not that much I can tell you about him. I knew of him back then but you can't base anything off of the amateurs because the pros is different. My manager has been doing his research and we will keep all that closed until the fight is over. We have some things in store for him.

Bob Van Syckle (Litzau's trainer/manager)
He's a real slick fighter that we know we need to be patient with. He will probably make you miss early but Jason should figure out his style and that is when he will start landing his punches. He might not be able to catch the guy clean right away but he will figure him out. I don't think this guy is going to catch Jason at all. We have prepared for every possible style Kimbrough might bring and we have a plan for every scenario that might happen. We are just going to win rounds and whatever happens, happens.

You have fought on ESPN, HBO, SHOWTIME and now PPV. How does it feel to be back fighting in front of a nationally televised audience?
It's great, like I said I am ready to do it. I've got a family to support and I am ready to be back on the big time. I don't want to do little fights, I want to do it big. I have already been there and this time I want to stay there.

With the exception of the Robert Guerrero fight, you have always been the featured fighter. Kimbrough and his team chose you as their opponent. Do you feel you are the underdog going into this fight?
This is Roy Jones's fighter so in that way I am going in as the opponent. I took the fight on two weeks notice but I am ready to bang. We are here and ready so let's fight. He is a higher weight class, he wouldn't go down in weight. We basically gave up every advantage to him, that's how ready I am. I want my fans to know that I am here, and I'm not going to run from anybody. He wouldn't go down any less then 135 but it's not a big deal. We are coming prepared for that. I am ready for anything.

Anything you would like to add?
I just want to thank all my true fans out there who believe in me. I hope everybody tunes in to watch the fight because it is going to be a great night of fights.