AKALE STOPS PAULSON IN ONE, CLARK DECISONS KEMPER
Sona “Slink Proper” Akale (5-0) scored an electrifying first round knockout over Jay “The Magic Man” Paulson (0-1) in the closing moments of the opening round at Valhalla Combats boxing main event Saturday afternoon in Fridley, MN. Akale dropped Paulson three times in all. The rainy afternoon also saw Valhalla’s Josh Clark defeat Eric Kemper in a fun four round super lightweight bout. Heavyweights Fredo Gonzales versus Mike Seymour, both making their debuts was cancelled after Seymour slipped and was injured coming to the ring. Marty “The Wolfman” Lindquist (14-12) also had his bout cancelled after his opponent Victor Temnograd (debut) no showed at weigh-ins. Temnograd reportedly refused a Covid test. Lindquist ended up boxing in an exhibition versus Alex “The Nightmare” Citrowske.
Jay Paulson was game and entered the main event bout towering over Sona Akale. Despite being shorter, Akale was chiseled and had no problem finding his range to land jabs and hard punches. An overhand right to the head sent Paulson to the canvas in the early parts of the first round. After the action continued, Akale dropped Paulson again with a left jab to the body.
The outdoor ring was slick which may have contributed to the trip to the canvas. Paulson composed himself and landed a few nice shots of his own to the head of his opponent but Akale walked right through them. Just as the closing moments to the opening round approached, Akale sent Paulson to the ropes with a flurry. A thudding right to the head reminiscent of Clubber Lang from the Rocky series put Paulson out on his back and the fight was immediately stopped.
Akale is a musician that has the boxing skills to make his mark in the sport. Paulson is one of Minnesota’s most exciting mixed martial artist and looked well prepared for his boxing debut.
Josh Clark (2-0) of Fridley, MN outworked Eric Kemper over four rounds of action in a 136 pound contest. The meeting was the opening bout of Valhalla’s boxing portion of Saturday afternoons show.
Clark looked solid in his second outing as a pro, landing head and body shots from all angles. His most standout weapon being the overhand right. Kemper, who was making his pro debut also looked composed and confident despite coming from the sport of MMA to his first boxing match.
The final scores read 40-36 twice and 39-37 all in favor of Josh Clark. Clark revealed that he will be back in action on October 30th in Iowa.
There was large disturbance in the parking lot following the conclusion of the boxing matches. Supporters of Fredo Gonzalez were not happy that his opponent Seymour was not allowed to continue after taking a fall. Word is that many were upset that they were not given a refund and a melee broke out. Fridley police arrived on the scene after at least one bystander had a pistol. The MMA portion of the show was then called off by the Fridley police department.
