One of the most exciting fighters in boxing makes his return to the ring this Saturday night as former world title challenger “The American Boy” Jason Litzau (29-3-1 23KOs) of St. Paul, MN faces Iowa’s Lance “Lay ‘Em Down” Williams (7-5 4KOs) in an eight round lightweight bout that headlines Jim Loons Boxing and Promotion’s “Throwdown at the Bear” event at Black Bear Casino and Resort in Carlton, MN. The action will be streamed exclusively to the world at FloBoxing.tv with the first bout starting at 7 p.m. CST.

Event promoter and Fond Du Lac Band Member Jim Loons is excited to bring Litzau’s comeback fight to Black Bear Casino. “Boxing fans all over the state have been waiting for Litzau’s comeback fight and I’m glad I was able to bring it to Black Bear Casino. We’re excited to present a first class show on FloBoxing.tv and work towards bringing bigger and better events here. ”

Litzau’s last fight in August of 2015 was a highly controversial draw against Hylon Williams Jr. Litzau is eager to prove he will still be a factor in the lightweight division. Litzau said, “The American Boy is coming back to show the only way he knows how to do it and that’s to be exciting and to make another world championship run. This is it. If I can’t be great then it’s time for me to get a 9-5 job.”

Litzau is looking to reintroduce himself to a national audience on FloBoxing, “Every time I fought on TV the ratings were extremely high because The American Boy gives 110% and all my blood, sweat and tears and we’re going to do big ratings on FloBoxing.tv. I’m excited my fans around the world can see me fight live.”

Iowa’s Lance “Lay ‘Em Down” Williams who will be looking to boost his career with big upset win similar to his stunning knockout victory over Ricky Lopez in February of 2015. Williams said, “I was always told in the amateurs that I’d eventually fight Jason Litzau. He and his brother were always known and now as pros it’s time. Winning this fight opens lots of doors for me. I promise to bring a fast paced fight with lots of action and I’m coming to win.

The six-bout card begins at 7pm and will also feature cruiserweight contender Al Sands, top undefeated jr welterweight prospect Delorien Caraway as well as a Minnesota State Jr Welterweight Title fight between Duluth’s Markus Morris and Minneapolis’ Jeremy McLaurin. Tickets will be available at the door or on www.ticketfly.com.

Follow all the action LIVE as undefeated sensation, Saul Alvarez makes the 1st defense of the WBC Super Welterweight title against tough Englishman Ryan Rhodes. The action begins at 10:30 pm eastern/9:30 in Guadalajara and 3:30 am Sunday in Britan. Before the main event there will be an interesting Jr. Lightweight tussle between undefeated Adrien Broner and Jason Litzau

12 Rounds–WBC Super Welterweight title–Saul Alvarez (36-0-1, 26 KO’s) vs Ryan Rhodes (45-4, 31 KO’s)

Round 1 Left from Rhodes…Alvarez lands a right..another right…10-9 Alvarez

Round 2 Alvarez lands a good combination./..right hook…left to the body..uppercut to the body…right/left combo..right hand…20-18 Alvarez

Round 3 Left hands…30-27 Alvarez

Round 4: Alvarez lands a right..Double left hook/body…right to the head…COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES RHODES…Body shot…40-35 Alvarez

Round 5: Jab followed by a combination by Alvarez..Body shots..Ripping combainations…50-44 Alvarez

Round 6: Rhodes lands a left hook…Good right…hook to the body..Alvarez lands a combiantion…counter…59-54 Alvarez

Round 7 Alvarez landing hard combinations…works the body and head…Rhodes cut under the right..69-63 Alvarez

Round 8 Alvarez lands a nice combination…another combination…Rhodes responds with a counter right…Alvarez lands a double left…hard body shots on the ropes…Good left to the body…79-72 Alvarez

Round 9: More of the same where Alvarez landing combinations and Rhodes not offering much in return…89-81 Alvarez

Round 10 Good body work that sets up hard and quick combinations..Rhodes taking it…99-90 Alvarez

Round 11: Body shots and right to the head from Alvarez…109-99 Alvarez

Round 12

10 Rounds–Super Featherweights–Adrien Broner (20-0, 16 KO’s) vs Jason Litzau (28-2, 21 KO’s)
Round 1 Broner lands a right on the ropes…...HUGE UPPERCUT DOWN GOES LITZAU AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Coming into 2010 Jason “The American Boy” Litzau 28-2(21) was just another fighter. However fast forward twelve months and the Minnesota resident has placed himself on the cusp of a world title shot, having beaten both Rocky Juarez & Celestino Caballero in Super Featherweight contests, both as a heavy underdog. Both fights were exciting all action fights shown on HBO where the likeable & engaging personality of Litzau shone through. It’s been rumoured that he may fight either Daniel Ponce De Leon or Adrien Broner next, though nothing has been agreed upon as yet. It’s hard not to pull for Litzau who’s paid his due’s and now looking to achieve his ultimate goal in becoming a world champion. Litzau is currently ranked WBC 5, WBA 2, IBF 5, WBO 11 & The Ring magazine number 10.

Hello Jason, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulations on a terrific 2010. You beat Rocky Juarez & Celestino Caballero two more known guys that you were the underdog against on HBO. What are your thoughts on your year & those two fights?

Jason Litzau – Well it was a breakout year for me. I took a year off after my loss to IBF World Champion Robert Guerrero in 2008. It gave me time to mature both physically and mentally. I’m only just 27 now. I started my comeback in 2009 and continued it in 2010. I’m a lot smarter fighter now and I knew how to beat Rocky Juarez and Celestino Caballero. I had a game plan and I executed it. Commentators say that Caballero had a bad day, no, I made him look bad.

Anson Wainwright – What are your plans for 2011? When are you looking at fighting next & against whom? Who are you targeting?

Jason Litzau – I would love to fight any of the current World Champions. I would love to come back to Britain where I fought as an amateur on the USA Boxing team. I would love to fight Ricky Burns for his WBO title. I think I still have some fans over there from my amateur days.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly train at?

Jason Litzau – My manager and trainer is Bob Van Syckle, who I have been with for my entire 8 year career. He has been loyal to me and I have been loyal to him. He is a smart manager and as a trainer he has a great ability to break down an opponent and come up with a game plan to beat him. For my last fight, I added a top strength and conditioning coach, Gerardo Aguirre to my team. He improved my core strength and balance. I felt like I could have gone 20 rounds in my last fight. My promoter is Square Ring Promotions, founded by Roy Jones,Jr. While in Minnesota, I train at White Bear Lake gym and when I go to training camp I train at Buddy McGirt’s gym in Vero Beach, FL.

Anson Wainwright – You were a good amateur can you tell us about those days, what titles and tournaments you won? You travelled over sea’s with the American team, can you tell us about that? Also what was your final record?

Jason Litzau – As a Junior (14-16 years old), I won all the US titles. In my first year as a Senior (at 17), I came in second at the USA Championships. Two weeks later I avenged that loss in a Box off and landed a spot on the USA Boxing team. While on the team, I fought other national teams in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and England. It was a great experience for me, meeting all the friendly people from other countries. My record was 125-10. Because of my financial situation, I could not wait for the 2004 Olympics and so I turned pro at 19.

Anson Wainwright – Your from Minnesota which isn’t know as a Boxing state, did you have to travel for sparring or do you bring guys in? Can you tell us about some of the Boxers you have sparred with?

Jason Litzau – Well, my manager was from the East Coast (New Jersey) and in the first few years I sparred with the best amateurs and pros in New York City and in the cities of Newark and Paterson, NJ. It was a great learning experience and I got a lot of complements from the East Coast fighters and trainers. After that, I actually was chief sparring partner for Rocky Juarez when he beat Zahir Raheem. I was also chief sparring partner for Arturo Gatti when he fought Floyd Mayweather. When I had my own camps in Florida, I tried to bring in the best up-and-coming fighters who would challenge me. One of them was Matt Remillard, 23-0, who is fighting on HBO on March 26.

Anson Wainwright – Who’s the best fighter you have ever fought in the amateur’s and pro’s?

Jason Litzau – The best fighter that I fought in the amateurs, and beat several times, was Mickey Bey. He made the USA Olympic team and is now 16-0 as a pro. In the pros, the best fighter I fought as the “young” Jason was Robert Guerrero. As the new and improved Jason, the best fighter I have fought is Celestino Caballero.

Anson Wainwright – You fought for the IBF Featherweight title in 2008 but lost to Robert Guerrero. Looking back on that fight what are your thoughts and feelings on it now?

Jason Litzau – I was only 24 years old at the time and I was pretty tight throughout the fight. I think the nerves got the best of me. I would love to get him in the ring again. I am a much more complete fighter now.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What other sports, hobbies and Interests do you have?

Jason Litzau – Being from a big hockey state, I love playing hockey. When I was a kid, I scored 73 goals in one season. Lately, I have backed off playing because I don’t want to take a chance getting injured. I had to give up riding my “crotch rocket” for the same reason. Its just another example of “wild and crazy” Jay growing up. Now, I like to play golf and racquetball and softball. And I love playing with my 3 daughters, ages 1, 5, and 7.

Anson Wainwright – You were a 13-1 underdog against Caballero, how did this help to motivate you? Do you like fighting with your back against the wall? What was it like for you when you returned home after the win?

Jason Litzau – Honestly, I knew I was the underdog, but I did not know I was a 13-1 dog until after the fight. If I had known that, I probably would have bet my purse and I could retire (just kidding about the retiring, not about the betting). I really did not think my back was against the wall. I was confident that I could beat Caballero. When I returned home, a lot more strangers said Hi and congratulated me. I felt great, like I had “shocked the world!”

Anson Wainwright – What fighters did you like when you were growing up? What about today who do you admire?

Jason Litzau – Arturo Gatti was a big hero of mine as a kid. He fought with such great heart. I would be watching on TV and be screaming at the TV set. It was a thrill to become friends with him and fight on a couple of his undercards. I also admired Oscar De La Hoya, the way he handled himself in the ring and outside the ring. Today, I admire Manny Pacquiao for his no-fear, non-stop punching style. He is not afraid to fight anybody, no matter how big they are. He came back from 2 knockout losses early in his career and look at where he is now.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the current champions at 130 WBC Takahiro Aoh, WBA Takashi Uchiyama IBF Mzonke Fana & WBO Ricky Burns?

Jason Litzau – I think I can beat all of them and become the Unified Champion. I just hope one of them is man enough to fight “The American Boy” Jason Litzau.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Jason Litzau – I just want to thank all the fans who have come to my fights, watched them on TV, those who said Hi, those who reached out to me on Facebook, and those who I have yet to meet. I know that you pay your hard-earned money to watch me fight, so, I always give it my best in the ring. I don’t want to disappoint my fans and I don’t want to disappoint Arturo Gatti, who is watching from above. I invite anyone who wants to reach out to me to “become a friend” of mine on Facebook. Just search for “American Boy” or “Jason Litzau”.

Thanks for your time Jason, good luck in 2011.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

Midweek Musings – Word from Britain is that James Degale may challenge Dmitri Sartison for the WBA Super Middleweight title on 19 March at the O2 Arena in London…After the apparent collapse of the All British showdown between Matthew Macklin & Darren Barker. It got me thinking of other domestic fights I’d like to see. In Britain though both of these need time to marinate David Price-Tyson Fury & James Degale-George Groves both have the potential to be huge by this time next year. How about a shoot out between new European Light Heavyweight champion Danny MacIntosh & Tony Bellew. At Welterweight Kell Brook-Matthew Hatton. British Light Welterweight champion Lenny Daws against former amateur star Frankie Gavin. A fight that has been mentioned many times is Kevin Mitchell & John Murray at Lightweight, both are 26, in there prime and a fight that we hope wont go the way of Ricky Hatton-Junior Witter. A rematch between Stephen Smith & John Simpson at 126. Though both lost there last fights and are friends it would be interesting to see Rendell Munroe fight Jason Booth at 122. Following his tremendous performance on Saturday Jamie McDonnell against Stuart Hall at Bantamweight.

If there are any fighters you would like to hear from you can contact me on elraincoat@live.co.uk

Once again Mexican Legend Juan Manuel Marquez 52-5-1(38) proved that age is no obstetrical as he went toe toe with teek tough Michael Katsidis 27-3(22). The give and take action finally came to an end with the champion retaining his WBA & WBO titles via ninth round TKO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

The first round is pretty busy with both guys going straight to work, Marquez is more accurate and picks his openings while Katsidis closes the distance and stays in close to Marquez. The second see’s Marquez stay on the outside allowing Katsidis to come forward behind a high held guard. Marquez known as one of the games best counter puncher picks his way through Katsidis porous defense. Too his credit Katsidis continued to pressure Marquez landing some body punches. Nearly a minute into the third Katsidis lands a huge left hook that drops Marquez hard, to his credit he rides out the pressure and fires back his own combination’s. The third round is a contender for round of the year. Marquez enjoys a good fourth landing several eye catching combination’s to head and body. The fifth is much of the same, with Katsidis looking like a man who wont be denied walking through fire trapping Marquez on the ropes toward the end of the round. Katsidis makes Marquez work every second of the sixth & seventh rounds barreling forward pushing the hard nosed Mexican back. The war of attrition is well and truly on. Both guys have there moments in the eighth, Katsidis is marked under both eyes. Finally in the ninth when something had to give Marquez breaks through landing left uppercut hurting the brave Australian who backpedaled. Marquez jumped on his opponent and with plenty of time in the round picked his way through Katsidis until Kenny Bayliss stopped the action a 2.14 of the ninth round.

Afterwards Marquez said with regards a muted third fight with nemesis Manny Pacquiao “It’s what the public wants”

A gracious Katsidis afterward congratualted Marquez and spoke of the sad loss of his brother.

Andre Berto 27-0(21) made quick work of Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez 29-2(20) to retain his WBC Welterweight title for the fifth time. Catching him with a left hook followed by a right hand which punctured Hernandez guard sending Hernandez went down hard in the ring centre, to his credit he got up but referee Russell Mora waved the action over at 2.07 of the first round.

With none of the top guys at Featherweight willing to face Celestino Caballero 34-3(23) he moved up to Super Featherweight in an experiment that ultimately failed as he lost a close split decision to Jason Litzau 28-2(21) when the scores were totaled Litzau won 96-94 & 97-93 while the third judge scored it 96-94 for Litzau. On the HBO on the night scales Litzau weighted 140 while Caballero was 135.

Minnesota’s Litzau started well pressuring Caballero back for most of the first round. Caballero content having seen what Litzau could do picks up the pace. Both guys start fast throwing bombs, a big left from Caballero mid way through the round hurts Litzau, who quickly returns fire. Both guys look like they feel they have the power to take the other out. Caballero takes the fourth with a barrage of punches after shaking Litzau up with a solid right hand. The fifth see’s Litzau get back into the fight, again both guys trade punches with Litzau getting greater success, Caballero’s face is starting to swell. Litzau again enjoys a good round, his greater strength seems to be effecting Caballero in the sixth. The seventh is fairly scrappy round with Litzau pushing forward. Caballero regains a foot hold in the fight landing a solid left hook early in the round and another impressive combination in the middle of the round. The ninth & tenth see both guys land good shots with the momentum going back and for, in what’s a tough round to score.

Campbell Shocked – Nate Campbell dropped back down to Lightweight after a brief sojourn to Light Welterweight when he was unsuccessful against Victor Ortiz. He was expected to get back to winning ways, it didn’t prove that way as he was out hustled over 8 rounds by perennial journeyman Walter Estrada who won his third fight in a row to move to 38-13-1(25). Campbell 38, looked flat and was beaten to the punch by the Colombian on several occasions even getting rocked in the second round. Estrada was deducted a point in the third for hitting and holding. Estrada won a split decision 77-74×2 & Campbell took the other 76-75.

Cuban sensation Erislandy Lara 14-0(9) didn’t need long to dispose of Tim Connors 10-2(7). The end came at 1.38 when Lara first dropped Connors with a stiff jab. To his credit Connors rose but clearly shaken walked into a barrage of shots and was on his way down when the fight was called off. With the win Lara collects Vacant WBA Fedalatin Light Middleweight title.

Florida’s Keith Thurman 15-0(14) kept him impressive unbeaten record when he took apart Favio Medina 23-3-3(8) stopping him in the fourth with a right hand.

In Middleweight action Bastie Samir advanced to 7-0(7) when he battered Billy Cunningham into submission at 1.56. Cunningham was down 3 times before referee Jay Nady halted proceedings.

Michael Finney impressively moved to 6-0(6) when he stopped Clayvonne Howard 2-5-1(1) at 1.26 of the second round. Howard was hurt by a left hook at the end of the first round. Finney pounced on his man in the second pushing him back mixing head and body shots landing 3 hard left hooks that prompted the referee to stop the fight with Howard slumped on the ropes.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world Super Bantamweight champion Celestino caballero will make his first appearance at Jr. Lightweight when he takes on perennial contender Jason Litzau on November 27th in Las Vegas underneath the world Lightweight championship between Juan Manuel Marquez and Michael Katsidis

Details are also being worked out to add welterweight titlist Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KOs) in a mandatory defense against Selcuk Aydin (20-0, 15 KOs) to the card, promoter Lou DiBella, who promotes Caballero and Berto, told ESPN.com.

DiBella said he and Aydin co-promoter Don King are getting closer on the money. If they make a deal, then HBO will expand the card to a tripleheader.

“Caballero is moving up because he basically has to,” DiBella said of the 5-foot-11 Caballero. “He’s outgrown the 122-pound weight class. At 126, he is unquestionably being avoided. If we could have worked out suitable opposition we could have made a reasonable deal, and he would have stayed at 126. It didn’t happen.”

“We had been kicking around Litzau as a possibility if Caballero had to move up again,” DiBella said. “When it became clear there wasn’t an alternative HBO liked better, we did it. Caballero wanted to fight a name, somebody people have heard of and Litzau is that guy. He’s coming off maybe the best win of his career against Juarez. So Caballero is making a statement — he was the best 122, one of the best 126 and now he’s willing to go to 130 to fight a real guy for TV. He believes he is the best and will do what is necessary to prove it.

“I think it’s an excellent matchup,” Wirt said. “Litzau always come to fight. A lot of people wrote Litzau off, but he stood up to the plate and delivered in the Juarez fight and now we’re planning on another upset.”