BOXING: WEIGH-IN REPORT FROM HINCKLEY, MN
Cruiserweight Main Event (non-title fight)
Phil Williams 200 lbs. vs. Al Sands 200 lbs.
Both Phil “The Drill” Williams (16-9-3, 14 KO’s) and Al “The Haitian Temptation” Sands (20-4-1, 18 KO’s) made weight for tomorrow nights cruiserweight main event at The Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. There were no face-offs as the boxers weighed-in at different times, each hitting the scale at 200 pounds. Tomorrow night will be just the second time Williams and Sands will have come face to face since boxing in 2015. Unfortunately, this will not be a state title fight despite being arguably the biggest all Minnesota cruiserweight fight to take place in state boxing history (along with the first fight between the two). The second according to historian Jake Wegner being when the late “Fabulous” Fred Moore of Rochester met Minneapolis’ Quinton Osgood in the mid 90’s. Williams says that the state has fined him for the altercation that took place at weigh-ins for his last fight against Mengistu Zarzar. Williams has not paid that fine yet so he says his title being put on the line was not approved. Belt or no belt, both Williams and Sands are expecting a fight that fans will not forget.
Phil Williams successfully defended his title last November against Mengistu Zarzar. It was a spirited effort from those two cruiserweights and Williams is wasting no time getting back to action. Before the Zarzar fight, “The Drill” had not fought in over two years but looked strong and confident. Williams says he plans to move to heavyweight after this fight but wants to put a final stamp on his state cruiserweight legacy against Sands.
“The first fight ended so early that there is a little unsettled business for both of us” said Williams. “I think this fight will be a good challenge for me. I expect Al to come more prepared this time and I think it’s going to be a good fight. I still think that this fight is going to end in a knockout. Just not as quick as the first. If it does go the distance I think I’m going to outbox him. Fans from the Cities and fans from Duluth, everybody come out and see us do it again.”
Al Sands put forth a great performance in his last bout at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN last fall. It may have been his best to date despite the judges seeing the outcome a draw against Deshon Webster (then 12-2). It should also be noted that a body shot knockdown which looked clean was ruled a low blow and that heavily contributed to a win not being awarded. The experience from Sands’ recent oversees fights appear to have propelled him to a higher level. The Duluth native will ride the momentum of his last performance into a career defining fight against Phil Williams.
“This fight not being for a title is really disappointing but it is what it is” said Sands. “It means a lot to help bring another big fight back to Minnesota. I’ve waited five long years for this rematch. He had a great fight in his comeback (against Mengistu Zarzar) and I’ve had some great experiences since we last fought. I think we are both going to bring our best and it’s going to be a great fight for everybody.”
“Phil is a much different fighter then he was in our first fight and so am I” said Sands. “He is bigger, he is stronger and definitely more experienced despite the few years he had off. He’s got a whole different coaching experience now with running his own gym. I don’t have any predictions (for how the fight will end) but I definitely see myself coming out on top whether that be by knockout or decision. You have two of the biggest and strongest guys in the state. It’s going to be one heck of a night.”
Cruse Stewart 174.2 lbs. vs. Deangelo Curtis 175 lbs.
Iowa’s Cruse Stewart, who resides in MN had a nice run in 2019 going 3-0 with a big win over undefeated William Langston in his opponents hometown of Milwaukee last September. He followed that up a month later with another victory. Stewart boxed Langston smart, patiently and stopped the hometown fighter in one round.
Hoping to have a break out year in 2020, Stewart was able to clock in many sparring rounds with former world champion Caleb Truax to prepare for this fight.
“I’m still quite young in the game but Caleb respects me enough for us to get rounds together. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that I have the talent to compete in there with a world champion fighter such as himself. To share the ring with a former World Champion and have him respect me is what I’ve worked for all of my life. I’m looking to bust into the top 20 this year. I look forward to people knowing my name on a bigger stage. And let them know I am here to take care of business.”
“He’s (Deangelo Curtis) a very tough guy who’s done his homework on me” Stewart continued. “So he knows he’s going to have to fight and be at his best which is a beautiful thing because that will bring the best out of me as well! I’m looking to go into my bag (laughing) so to say for that special performance for the crowd and my fans who are coming to see me.”
32 year old Deangelo Curtis has a Criminal Justice Degree, a wife, and three kids. So why is he still fighting? Curtis told us that he fights for fun and the challenge. Never known to back down from any challenge in any form of combat sports, Curtis took the fight against Stewart on two weeks notice.
“I was more trying to get a kickboxing/muy thai fight versus boxing or mma. I’m trying to stick more to what I’m pretty good at. Then Cory (Rapacz) hit me up and asked me if I’d want to take a short notice fight. He told me my opponent. I said well, let me take a look at my weight and see where I’m at right now. My weight was pretty good so I said, yeah, let’s do it. He told me the opponent was pretty tough, but who am I to take a boring fight? That’s not me.”
“To be honest, I don’t really do a whole lot of background study on opponents. A lot of people get into this. At the end of the day it’s who is going to impose their will on each other first. I know what I’m good at. He knows what he’s good at. I don’t need to sit up here and study him. What I’ve heard, he’s a banger. He comes to fight. He’s tough. I’m a firm believer that ring, cage, whatever, no one’s fought anyone like me. That’s pushing the pace and staying in your face.”
Ray Ochieng 245 lbs. vs. Ryan Watson 289 lbs.
Ray “King Kong” Ochieng (26-24-3, 21 KO’s) got started in boxing back in his home country of Kenya. He didn’t train in the main stream early on but says his heart and desire led him to victories over more experienced fighters as an amateur. Ochieng has traveled the world and witnessed first hand both the good and bad sides of boxing through his journey’s. His biggest win came when he stopped David Rodriguez (36-1 at the time) in 2014. Ochieng described Rodriguez as America’s number 1 prospect before the Wilder’s of the heavyweight division came along and took over.
“Knocking out one of Mike Tyson’s prospects was one of those moments I will never forget” said Ochieng.
“I don’t know much about my opponent. I just know he is Ryan Watson from Duluth, MN. I try not to know that much about my opponents. Once the first punch is thrown I will know where we are going with it. I don’t worry about winning and losing. I only think about going out there and doing what I love to do. There has to be a winner and a loser. There have been many times that I felt like I won but did not get the win. When I get beaten, I take it with a good stride. If Ryan Watson can beat me, If he’s got the nerve to stay in there and take what I have to give and come out as sincerely the winner, I will congratulate him. We are here to compete.”
Duluth’s Ryan Watson (4-1-2, 2 KO’s) continues to work his way back into top form after a solid 2019 saw him pick up two wins and a draw. He earned a victory over traveled veteran Travis Fulton last fall and is excited to take on his best opponent to date in Ochieng tomorrow night.
“Training camp has been really good” said Watson. As far as training camp and dealing with his awkward style we mainly just worked on me. I have a lot of experience and with that experience comes the ability to adapt to different styles. I can box and I can bite down and scrap it out so whatever needs to be done I’ll do it. I watched the fight with Hasim Rahman Jr. and was not impressed with either one of them. With this fight I’m expecting it to get ugly. It should be a fun fight though for the fans and I look forward to putting his name on my resume!”
Joe James 145 lbs. vs. Drake Heitfield 149.4 lbs. (second attempt)
Joe James of Saint Cloud, MN also had a successful 2019 rattling off four wins with one of them coming on a Showtime televised (off TV) undercard fight. The other three wins came at the Grand Casino in Hinckley. Team James is looking forward to a big 2020 and it starts this Friday night.
“We are ready and I’ve been training hard for this fight just like always. We expect him to come to fight I’m ready for anything he throws at me I’ll just stick to the game plan.
Camp has gone great, it’s nice being able to be around a champion such as Truax his always helped me out and shared his knowledge. I’m as ready as ever.
I’m looking to make a statement this fight I’m ready for the top guys at my weightclass in the state just gotta go out there and do what I do best and that’s win.”
Rondale Hubbert 140.4 lbs. vs. Jose Jacobo 140.4 lbs.
Former Minnesota state super lightweight champion Rondale “Give Em Hell” Hubbert has yet to have a boring fight in 36 visits to the professional ring. 2019 saw Hubbert fight an impressive 6 times against opponents with a combined record of 57 wins and only 7 losses. A recent set of decision losses has Hubbert anxiously waiting to get back in the ring and turn things around against another good prospect in Jose Jacobo.
“I know he’s a tough kid, a little taller then me and he’s going to come to fight” said Hubbert when asked what he expects from Jacobo. That’s what I’m doing, coming to fight. It’s been a good camp. I’m feeling good and strong and expecting it to be a war. This is my home field and I’m not losing at home. I need to snap this losing streak and this is the perfect time to do it. You can expect fireworks and this fight wont go the distance. I want to thank Cory Rapacz and The Grand Casino for having me on the card. It’s always a fun time and great fights an thanks to all the ppl that brought tickets an continue to support my career an believe in me.”
Colton Warner 252 lbs. vs. Matt Foster 223.6 lbs.
Heavyweight Colton Warner is set to make his professional boxing debut to kick off the action tomorrow night in Hinckley and set the tone for what he believes will be a great night. Warner comes from a family of athletes and will follow in his fathers boxing footsteps. Jeff Warner was a well known Minnesota heavyweight prize fighter throughout the 90’s. Warner says he has a deep passion and respect for this sport and is excited to kick off his professional boxing career.
“I am very excited to be making my professional boxing debut, especially at the Grand Casino in Hinckley” said Warner. “I grew up in Pine City, which is nearby so I am expecting a good showing and look forward to performing at the Grand Casino more in the future. My father is a huge inspiration to me, as well as my brothers. He has taught us many lessons that have prepared us very well for life, sports and whatever comes our way. In the ring I am a quite different fighter from him, but the power gene definitely carried over. Having my father, as well as my family in my corner gives me extra strength and motivation. I am proud of my father and our name.
I know that Matt Foster is a southpaw who has had over 20 professional MMA fights and 3 professional boxing bouts. He has experience on me and as a southpaw people tend to think they are tricky, but I have absolutely no worries. I have had tremendous sparring and I am prepared for whatever comes my way. I am very thankful for this opportunity to be fighting professionally. I have a deep passion and respect for this sport.
I’m looking forward to putting on a show tomorrow night. You will see a high boxing IQ, speed and power. I look forward to putting away Matt Foster away.”
Ramiro Hernandez 125 lbs. vs. Vincent Jennings 126 lbs.
Ramiro Hernandez story by Ray Kilgore coming tomorrow
Marlin Sims 130.2 lbs. vs. Mike Fowler 128.2 lbs.
See Marlin Sims Interview CLICK HERE
Tyler Prokop 307 lbs. vs. Matthew Hatfield 252.8 lbs.
Lawrence Newton 117.2 lbs. vs. Ernie Marquez 117.2 lbs.
The action begins at 7PM in the Grand Casino Hinckley Ballroom. MN Fight News will be live streaming the action with details on that to come tomorrow.