Akale, Henriksen Battle Plus Huffman, Medel and Guaman Scheduled This Saturday
Five boxers from across Minnesota are set to compete this Saturday night at the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson, Iowa. Extreme Maximus Boxing Promotions is set to deliver the action. The show will not be live streamed but will be available on tape delay in the following days. The boxers will weigh-ins tonight at 7 p.m. at Spare Time Lounge for Saturday’s Extreme Maximum Boxing’s Wild Rose Fightfest.
Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Sona “Slink Proper” Akale (3-0) takes on Jake Henriksen (3-5) of Glyndon, MN (residing in Fargo, ND) in a featured four round welterweight bout. Saturday’s fight card also featured CMB Boxing teammates Leo Medel (1-0) of Apple Valley, MN and Gavino Guaman (5-4-1) of River Falls, WI and now fighting out of Apple Valley, MN. Duluth, Minnesota’s Danny Huffman (3-1-1) had been preparing for a rematch with Nick Compton (2-3) but Compton could not compete for personal reasons. Huffman has a new opponent and also boxes in a welterweight match.
Jake Henriksen, coach and owner of Rogue Boxing and Fitness in Fargo, ND has been traveling an hour and a half to and from Fargo to work with Nordic Warriors Boxing Academy’s Corey Thompson. Thompson will be cornering Henriksen on Saturday night.
” Sona is a solid fighter, 3-0 as a pro” said Henriksen. ” I watched him fight once very early in camp. This camp is completely different for me. I started my own gym, Rogue Boxing, and got a new coach in Corey Thompson out of Nordic Warriors Boxing Academy in Alexandria. He’s been great, It’s really a hidden gem and that community is lucky to have a guy like that. I also added a strength and conditioning coach in former local MMA stand out Zack Schroeder. I don’t have expectations anymore, but I always show up to fight and I’m fu**ing jacked to get back in there after almost 2 years!”
– Jake Henriksen
Sona Akale may have only had 15 amateur bouts, but that hasn’t stopped him from making a good run to start his professional boxing career. Akale has three wins in as many bouts and is hoping for number four against Henriksen. Sona, AKA stage musician name, “Slink Proper” won a four round UD over Nick Compton last November in Iowa.
Danny Huffman was excited for the opportunity to even the score with Nick Compton and is still optimistic that the rematch will take place. Compton told MinnesotaBoxing.com that he plans to meet Huffman in the near future as well. For now, Huffman has his sights set on Thomas Benson (debut) of Florida by way of Illinois in a four round welterweight bout. The 24 year old Huffman prepared at Jungle Boy Boxing Gym while getting sparring with Jesse Wannemacher and Rondale Hubbert and more.
“Thomas Benson was a late replacement. I was really hoping for the Compton rematch” said Huffman. I’ve been in peak shape prior to him pulling out and was very much ready to avenge my only loss. I’m thankful the promoter was able to make the fight with Benson happen. We know very little about Benson other than that he is an MMA guy making his boxing debut. At this point I don’t care who comes in front of me. I had a great camp, the best yet sinse I’ve turned pro, much like my run on making it to golden gloves nationals. I got many rounds of sparring in these last two months. I’m very fortunate to have Rondale (Hubbert) and (Jesse) Wannemacher in my camp getting me fight ready. I’ve also had quite a lot of sparring with other guys like Derek Varin, Jake Henrickson and others.
– Danny Huffman
This Saturday I will show everyone what I can do when my body and mind are on point. I expect nothing short of fireworks. I plan to finish the year off with a bang and hopefully can secure the rematch with Compton. He had some life issues come up and I’ve been there myself. I wish him well and hope he’s ready to see me next.”
Leo Medel was set to box in Iowa last month but his opponent weighed in 10 pounds overweight and the fight was cancelled at the scales. Undeterred, Medel is scheduled to to box Khari Fields (debut) of Berwick, Pennsylvania in a four round middleweight bout. Medel says that if things go as planned, he hopes to be back in August.
“I’m just ready to get back into the ring and put my skills to work” said Medel. “And go out and give a good show to the people, which is the most important thing to me. Hopefully everyone enjoys the fight, and I come out with a win! And get back in the gym to get ready for the next one here in August. Hopefully here in Minnesota to give the Minnesotans a good show.”
– Leo Medel
After beginning his career by going 5-1, lightweight Gavino Angel Guaman hit a tough streak in his last four fights, with a draw most recently against Lance Williams of Iowa last February. Guaman is a tough, exciting fighter who trains and helps coach at CMB Boxing in Apple Valley. Guaman is fired up and ready to get back on track as he faces Jeff Chaske (0-2) in a four round lightweight bout.
“First of all I am very happy to return to the ring. I am training at the CMB Boxing Gym with Oscar (Chavez). We have tried to train with great enthusiasm to win this fight and it was a super great camp since we are surrounded by many children who want to learn much more about boxing. Regarding my opponent, I have nothing to say because I do not know him. I have not seen him but all boxers are good. With the people and the public that will join us on Saturday, July 17, they will have a very entertaining night because there will be very good fights and I think we will give a great show.”
– Gavino Guaman
