BOXING: Who’s Lookin’ For A Fight? Ryan Watson-Al Sands
Our second installment of a MN Fight News’ new feature titled “Who’s Lookin’ For a Fight” digs deeper into the rivalry brewing over in Duluth between boxers Ryan Watson and Al Sands. Less than a month ago, Al Sands (21-4-1, 18 KO’s) and Ryan Watson (5-1-2, 2 KO’s) picked up arguably the biggest wins of there professional boxing careers at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. Sands avenged a loss to Phil “The Drill” Williams while turning in an intelligent and complete performance over one of Minnesota’s hardest punchers ever.
Watson entered the ring with 46 less fights than his tricky opponent Ray Ochieng and left with a victory. Following the fight, Watson discussed the gritty win on the ring mic before dropping a challenge to Sands in front of the engaged Hinckley crowd.
“Yeah the fight got a little dirtier than expected and it’s hard to look good in a fight like that” said Watson. ” I wish the ref would have stuck by his word and eventually start taking points away instead of just saying that and letting the holding and throwdowns continue for the whole fight. But my performance was a little sloppy at first and he took me out of my element with the push down/ takedown in the first round that was called a knockdown. After that, I just wanted to knock him out and I should have kept my cool and kept boxing. My corner was able to get me back on track and I don’t think I could have done it without them. I have the best corner in the game and they know what to say to get me going or to calm me down. Aaron Resberg, Andy Kolle and Mickey Greene, I can’t thank you guys enough!”
“ The Al Sands fight is a fight that I’ve wanted for along time” Watson continued. “Anyone who really knows boxing knows that I would outbox the sh*t out of him. And I’d definitely test that soft chin he has. Al looks the part but that’s about it. He’s only worried about being “great in the 218” but how when you’ve been kicked out of every boxing gym in the 218. I have bigger dreams than just being a local hero. I was able to see his fight with Phil and I won’t lie, he looked pretty decent by just jabbing and not wanting to engage. Which was his game plan and it worked. If Phil would have let his Hands go, it would have been night night for Al. But like Phil said, he was done even before this fight. Al got the W so I have to give him his credit on that. But I’ll take that fight any day whether it’s at Heavyweight or if I have to kill myself to get back to Crusierweight. Or even in the back alley. It was sad to see Phil retire and I have a lot of respect for him. I wish him the best of luck with his Northside Boxing Gym and whatever he plans to do next. I don’t have to fight Al for the belt as long as we fight. I could care less about the belt, I just want to fight him and expose him. I’ve wanted this fight for so long and if they want to duck, dodge and dip then Al’s not a real boxer he’s a little bi*ch. ”
Al Sands experienced the most satisfying victory and moment in the ring to date when his hand was raised against Williams. Not only did he avenge a loss but he proved doubters wrong who felt Williams had his number. Sands’ coach Mike Mckean says they are currently looking over a few huge out of Country fights as a result.
“ It was great to come back after our first meeting five years ago and give everybody a great fight” said Sands on his win against Williams. “Phil is a good, strong, and smart fighter so I definitely wasn’t going to try to out muscle him. I planned on using my skills and move in there and do some great boxing.”
“Ryan says, I only want to be great in the 218?” Sands questioned. “For someone that has never fought outside of Minnesota, that’s a reach. Yes, I am great in the 218, for the work I do in the ring and the coaching and mentoring outside of the ring. After his performance he claimed, “If I want to stay relevant”? HUH? I’m pretty sure he dropped my name for attention. Everyone is barking up the mountain. They have a gym to promote, and before I left them, they wanted to use my name to help promote it. They’re just continuing the trend. It’s too bad that in this day and age people want recognition without putting in the work. Sorry guys, the dictionary is the only place recognition comes before time and work. Ryan needs to focus on his career. It’s too bad that his team is looking for attention instead of trying to learn more. I’ve had experiences no other boxers in the State have ever had. Unfortunately, I’m closer to retiring from competition in the sport than he is to 200 pounds so this was clearly for attention. Simply an emotional or ego outburst and should be treated as such. I’m not bothered by the words of a fighter that is 90 lbs over weight, with less than ten fights. There’s nothing respectable about begging for attention after his last performance. My team is looking forward to National and International fights. Also, I take NOTHING away from Phil. He fought a great fight and had an amazing career. Shoot, he’s fought in all weight classes from Super Middleweight to Cruiserweight, and I’m the ONLY fighter out of Duluth that stepped up to fight him, and I did it twice. He’s a dangerous fighter and brings some great experience to the ring and his gym, Northside Boxing Gym In Minneapolis. I look forward to coming down and working with them in the near future.”
“After my experiences, and even with the importance of this last fight, it was tough to get amped up for this situation. In the mean time, I will continue my strength, conditioning, and skill work here in Duluth at Aerial Athletics, and my work with the youth will continue throughout the Northland. Best of luck to Ryan and his team. I hope they can build the following for their own career instead of taking from mine.”
Is the city of Duluth big enough for Sands and Watson? Will the fighters meet in the ring someday? This is a fight that 26 year-old Watson has been loud and vocal about getting. He has plans of working his way down from heavyweight into a more ideal division and is in his fourth year as a professional. The fact that Watson took on such an experienced fighter in Ochieng and 74 fight veteran Travis Fulton prior to that speeds his ring experience up considerably.
“I personally think I’m going to have to get ugly in order for them to take this fight but that’s OK” said Watson. “They don’t want any part of it”
Sands, at 32, is on his 10th year as a pro. He’s held the Minnesota state cruiserweight title, the NABA cruiserweight title, and fought for the WBO Oriental title overseas. It’s understandable that Sands is targeting a big fight following his victory over Williams. However, if Watson continues to win and call out Sands, “The Haitian Temptations” manager Mike McKean claims that Watson might get his wish.
“Based off of Ryan’s last two performances, he would be lucky to last two rounds with Al” said McKean.
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