MATT VANDA: “IT’S F’N HAMMER TIME”

One of Minnesota’s most iconic modern day boxers could be returning to the ring later this year after retiring from the sport in 2014. Matt “The Predator” Vanda informed Minnesotaboxing.com yesterday afternoon that he was presented with a fight opportunity to face David “King” Estrada (30-6, 19 KO’s) this fall. This is not the first fight Vanda, 43, has been offered since hanging up the gloves. However, the opportunity to face a boxer of Estrada’s caliber while himself making a comeback at the age of 43 appears to be the perfect storm to pull “The Pride of the East Side” out of retirement.

“Just got a call last night” said Vanda. “Ran it by coach Jesse Garza. Jesse said I’m more worried about your wife whooping your ass then Estrada! Ran that shit by my wife. And here we are, waiting for the contract. It’s fu**ing hammer time” Vanda exclaimed.

Despite having only a few amateur fights, Vanda’s popularity in Minnesota skyrocketed instantaneously after turning professional in the late 90’s. Vanda was honored into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019 after local wars against rivals JJ Corn (where he won the MN State 154 pound title), Troy Lowry, Anthony Bonsante, Kenny Kost, Andy Kolle, Phil Williams, and Caleb Truax. “The Predator” never turned down a fight and has faced many world class fighters while winning the IBA Americas Jr. Middleweight title and challenging for the NABF and WBC Americas title during a career that spanned from 1996-2014.

But Vanda may not be done just yet.

In his last fight which was in 2014, Vanda put on a lot of muscle weight to box Sean Monaghan at Madison Square Garden, New York. The bout was set at a career-high weight of 173 pounds. Vanda landed an awkward punch in the first round which tore his bicep in gruesome fashion, putting an unfortunate end to the fight. The Predator stayed hungry from then to now and appears to be near fight weight already. Whether it was working out in his garage or now training boxers at The Rice Street Old School Gym in Saint Paul, Vanda seems ready and motivated for a big comeback.

David Estrada is also no stranger to fighting on the big stage against world class opposition. Andre Berto, Kermit Cintron, Shane Mosely, and Ishe Smith are just a few of the stars Estrada has shared the ring with. Born in Chicago, Illinois, it is semi-surprising that the two have not crossed paths so far. On a local note, Estrada stopped White Bear Lake, Minnesota’s Bobby Butters in 2000.

The rumored bout between Vanda and Estrada, if it does happen, appears to be set at around 154 pounds.