BOXING: OWENS, HILL FEATURED IN MINNEAPOLIS PRO-AM

Circle of Discipline/360PMG is back this Saturday to bring Twin Cities Pro-Am boxing action live at El Nuevo Rodeo Restaurante in Minneapolis. We will be bringing you words from the combatants throughout the day. One of the main attractions on the professional side of the show is a super welterweight clash between Ve Shawn Owens (7-0, 7 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN and Damion Hill (4-11) of Crystal, MN. Neither Owens or Hill take a step back when they fight so fans are expecting a war.

Owens last boxed on August 25th in Hinckley, Minnesota and is returning less than three weeks out to face Hill. Owens stopped gritty challenger Brandon Philips-Black in that bout by overwhelming him with speedy combinations and pressure. The Minneapolis boxer admits however that he is his own toughest critic. Owens says he plans to use the fight against Hill to make a statement and come out sharper than ever. And possibly move him one step closer to a highly talked about showdown with Minnesota State jr. middleweight champion Antonio Johnson.

“The fight with Black was tougher then expected” said Owens. “We honestly could have done better. Honestly not gonna lie, it was a bad performance. I’m a horrible critic and never satisfied or happy with anything I do even though we stopped him in the second. The weather played a major factor. When the first bell started until the ref jumped in to stop the fight, my hands and feet was freezing. No sweat coming off my body. It felt like I didn’t warn up at all. But it’s just a lesson learned and now it’s time to move forward to the next opponent (Hill). I’ve been studying him way before the fight was made, and I must add that I love fighting southpaws. I’m left handed but fight conventional. He’s a tough opponent and we are expecting him to be at his best. Far as the champ (Antonio Johnson), he will be something we will be pursuing very soon. Nothing has been made but we have his number and he has my belt. I want him in the ring more then anything, and yes this is a fight Minnesota is hungry for. But Hill is on my mind right now.”

Damion Hill is one of the states most athletic mixed martial artists. As a boxer, Hill has upset some good fighters along the way. Many of his losses have come at the hands of prospects on short notice. Hill told Minnesota Fight News that he will be entering the ring to meet Owens in good shape. And he feels that his experience and conditioning could be a key factor in pulling off an upset.

“I think he is very tough” said Hill when asked to talk about Owens as a boxer. He did well as an amateur and is undefeated as a pro at 7-0, all by knock out. I’m definitely the most experienced guy he’s fought so far so I hope that plays to my advantage, but I know he trains at COD and they don’t let guys go into the ring if they are not ready. But I’m ready too. He’s gonna be the better boxer for sure, so I’m going to have to avoid his game and not get trapped and look for counters. I see this going all 6 rounds with me winning a by decision.

Other bouts on the show include…

Anteneh Kidanwold (1-0) vs Giezwa Pierre Hobbs Jr (debut)

Xavier Hayden (debut) vs Cameron Gilliam (debut)

Alexis Gomez (1-0) vs William Davis (0-3-1)

Jonathan Perez (12-1) vs Dewayne Wisdom (7-36-1)