BOXING: GRAND FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS PREVIEW
Next in line on a growing list of classic Minnesota super fight showdowns is fast approaching. Duluth’s Markus “Hooch” Morris and Rondale “Give Em Hell” Hubbert of Minneapolis appear to be in tip-top shape for their Minnesota state super lightweight clash on Friday, August 17, 2018, at the Grand Casino Event Center in Hinckley, MN.
Both Hubbert and Morris have held the titles in the past and each man believes the now-vacant belt is spoken for. The night to prove who deserves to be crowned is almost here. Below is a double interview by Boxing with the Truth featuring the two men.
Minnesota fan favorite Joe Amouta of Minneapolis will box Germany’s Cem Kilic in a nicely matched and interesting six-round super middleweight bout.
Amouta has done his best work at the Grand Casino with career-best wins over southpaw George Carter Jr and Ken Glenn coming in 2016. Kilic is a former European Silver Medalist as an amateur and has gone undefeated (10-0) as a pro. Kilic has made California his home as he pursues his boxing dreams.
A heavyweight matchup between heavy-hitters Hasim “Gold Blooded” Rahman Jr. and Ray Ochieng was finalized last week. The 27-year-old prospect Rahman Jr. grew up to see his dad win the World heavyweight title and is on a mission along with his brother Sharif to have similar success. Rahman Jr. had a fight fall through last year in Hinckley but was still met with a huge ovation along with his father in the ring during fight night. Ochieng is a dangerous and highly experienced fighter who has battled some of the best heavyweights in the world. Ochieng showed that his power is for real when he knocked out David Rodriguez (then 36-1) in 2014.
Saint Paul’s Delorien Caraway returns to Hinckley following his 2017 Minnesota fight of the year against Noel Esqueda. The 27-year-old Caraway will be moving down from welterweight to the 140-pound division in hopes of facing the winner between Rondale Hubbert and Markus Morris. Caraway will box Iowa’s, Jeff Farmer.
Southpaw Marlin Sims of Minneapolis will also move down in weight when he takes on Dakota Laster in a 130 pound four rounder. Sims is 2-0 since turning pro this year while Laster has won his last two in a row.
Dynamite fisted Duluth cruiserweight Tony Palmisano returns to Hinckley where he has KO’d his way to 2-0 as a pro. Palmisano faces durable and crafty Tristan James of Iowa in a four-round match.
Successful amateur boxer Joe James of the Saint Cloud Golden Gloves Boxing club makes his pro debut at 154 pounds against MMA fighter/boxer Starr Roberts. According to Eric Hinderaker, James recently had surgery and is working his way back into top shape where he plans to campaign at welterweight.
The second of the announced Minnesota state title showdowns between Ramiro Hernandez and Gavino Guaman will have to wait for a future show. Guaman, of River Falls, WI, and his team decided against the fight to recover from a recent fight. Guaman showed tremendous heart in losing to former Olympian Robson Conceicao last June 30th. Guaman’s trainer Boyd Davis told Minnesota Fight News that the pair hopes to see the fight happen at a later date. Hernandez, of Ohio, will now face Wisconsin’s, Mike Fowler.
Another amateur star Cruse Stewart of Iowa makes his debut against Leroy Eason of Missouri in a four round middleweight bout.
The doors open at the Grand Casino’s showroom at 6 PM with the action set to begin at 7 PM. For fighter records and up to date show visit boxing’s official database BOXREC.COM HERE.