ROB BRANT, ANTONIO JOHNSON HEADLINE HINCKLEY APRIL 15

WBA-NABA middleweight champion Robert “Bravo” Brant (19-0, 12 KO’s) will headline at the

Rob Brant lands a hard right hand to the jaw of Decarlo Perez. Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Showtime

Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN on Friday April 15, 2016 with newly crowned MN State Jr. Middleweight champ Antonio Johnson fighting in co-featured bout.

Brant will be returning fresh off of a spectacular early knockout of the year candidate win over Decarlo Perez this past January on Showtime Television. Brant dominated the action in that fight leading up to the devastating stoppage and says he is looking forward to fighting back in Minnesota before most likely heading back out of state. Brant will face veteran Delray Raines (19-12-2, 14 KO’s) of Arkansas in Hinckley and if things go well in that fight, another huge television bout appears to be on the horizon.

“I was just as surprised as everyone else” said Brant when asked to describe the knockout of Perez. ” When a fight ends that dramatically so early in a fight of that magnitude, it is usually a combination of one fighter doing something right and the other doing something wrong. He tried to block my jab but dropped his hand and I followed up with a straight right. Even though the fight ended the way it did, there are still things I need to work on and tighten up. I plan on working on those things in my next fight in Hinckley. There are certain things I was able to get away with against Perez that I won’t be able to do against the guys I will face at the top of the division. I realize that there are going to be high expectations after winning in that kind of fashion but I am going to keep grinding in the gym and keep continuing to grow as a fighter.”

Also returning to the spotlight will be “The Saint Paul Kid” Antonio Johnson (12-1-1, 6 KO’s). Johnson won a decision over Mohammed Kayongo last January in Hinckley. Both fighters showed well for themselves in the fight with Johnson pulling away on the scorecards in the later rounds to take home the MN State 154 pound belt. Johnson will be taking on veteran Angel Hernandez (17-17-1, 13 KO’s) of Indiana. Minnesota fans might remember Hernandez when he fought Jamal James in 2014 at the Grand Casino in Hinckley.

“I feel really blessed to come out on top with such a strong and tough opponent” said Johnson discussing the Kayongo fight. “I’m looking forward to bigger and better things now though. And I am super excited to be able to get back in the ring so quick and at an amazing venue.”

The undercard is stacked as follows…

RJ Laase vs Ricky Smith
Markus Morris vs Fowler
Joe Amouta vs George Carter Jr.
Philip Adyaka vs Dale Bennett
Michael Thunder vs Cory Thompson
To view the full the line-up with fighter backgrounds CLICK HERE