Golf balls were not the only thing getting whacked at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins on Wednesday night; the boxing action was fast and furious with eight bouts taking place and only three going the distance.

The crowd was wound up during and even after the bouts. I spoke with several guests and members of this club that said “we can really appreciate this sport when we see it live.”  Lisa Bauch did a good job putting the show together at a time of year that many boxers are either preparing for nationals or not in the gym.

#1. Andrew Mason (Upper-Cut)       165lbs.     Billy Kapaun (Rice Street Gym)

Kapaun came out strong firing with both hands and taking the fight to Mason. Both boxers are strong punchers and Kapaun seemed to control the first round. In the second round Kapaun started to slow and was caught with a booming shot by Mason forcing him to a knee,  Mason followed up with a  combination followed by a hard shot again put him to his knee and the bout was stopped.  Mason wins RSC2.

#2. Del Robbins (Anoka Coon-Rapids)  130Lbs.  Andrew Monette  (White Bear)

This was a very competitive bout with Monette showing that all his activity is paying off. Robbins is a solid boxer with some experience but Monette used combination punching and stayed very bus throughout. Monette wins by Dec 3.

#3.  Jesse Vasquez   (Upper-cut)        155Lbs.     Luiz Garcia  (Upper-Cut)

These guys are familiar with one another and the result was unexpected. Garcia came out fast and caught Vasquez early and he seemed hurt. A series of blows ended this one early. Garcia wins RSC 1.

#4.  Anthony Rose  (Upper-Cut)       175Lbs.     Salvetore Moreno (Northfield)

Patience is a virtue and for only being 17 Rose showed it.  Neither of these boxers has a lot of experience but they were both in shape, hit hard and came to win. Moreno liked to throw punches in bunches and landed several early. But as the bout wore on Rose stepped up the pace including a solid body attack scoring a standing eight count and winning a well boxed contest. Rose wins by dec 3.

#5. Jessica Brenier  (Upper-Cut)        140Lbs.    Sierra Richter  (St.Cloud)

Both boxers started out by using good stiff jabs and some lateral movement. As the first round was coming to an end Brenier started to find the range with the right hand landing a couple of nice scoring punches. In the second round Brenier started off where she left off landing several combinations and backing up Richter. Richter received a standing eight count, hurt her back and could not continue. Brenier wins RSC2.

#6. Gavin Quinn (Anoka Coon-Rapids)  150Lbs.   Joey Claus  (White Bear)

Both guys came out of the corner like they were shot out of a cannon! Both throwing fast and hard with both hands and Claus landed a clean left hand the head of Quinn.  Dropping Quinn 20 seconds into the bout! Quinn got up and did not appear to be hurt but was caught again by Claus with a hard left hand, this one wobbled Quinn and he received a standing eight count, Claus a veteran of almost 100 fights knew he was in a position to win and he did so throwing a volley of unanswered blows until the referee stopped the bout at the 1:26 mark of the first round. Claus wins by RSC1.

#7. Jason Hendrickson (Upper-Cut)  150Lbs.  Brenden Feiler (St. Cloud)

Hendrickson who is a coach as well at Upper Cut and even worked a corner earlier in the show proved he is well schooled. I have seen Feiler before, he is tall has a good reach and a good jab but Hendrickson from the start worked the body like a 10 round professional.  Both hands and landed some devastating over hand rights which rocked Feiler late in the second and in the third despite Feilers combinations from the outside which were somewhat effective by the third round the body attack had taken its toll. Hendrickson wins by Dec 3.

#8. Brent Anderson (Upper-Cut)       SHVY    Kerek Taylor (Upper-Cut)

Nothing like an action packed Super Heavy Weight bout to end the night.  Anderson who actually boxes at 201 is a cagey veteran and was looking slippery working inside on Taylor who by the looks of things definitely eats his wheaties… very strong boxer. As the round progressed Anderson was walking him down and counter punching while Taylor looked to end the bout throwing caution to the wind with each shot. As Anderson looked to slip inside, Taylor caught him with a devastating cross dropping Anderson hard to the floor. It was a credit to him that he made it to his feet! Anderson wobbled towards the neutral corner and referee Bobby Brunette correctly called this one off at 1:41 of the first round. Taylor wins RSCH1. This was Taylor’s first bout; this kid might be someone to keep an eye on!

The show did not go as long as expected but based on the interviews of people in the crowd they did not seem to mind because it was action from bell to bell. The referees were Bobby Brunette and Scott Erickson. The judges at ringside: Vied Muiznieks, Vern Sweeny, Arlye Weishiem, Anna Phillips and the honorable Pete Bombach. Time keeper: Lilly Cronberg, Physician at Ringside: Sheldon Segal.  Promoter and Matchmaker:  Lisa Bauch.

This is the fourth year of this event and it is promoted as a social event for the club which in turn makes a much appreciated donation to Golden Gloves Inc. It was a packed house that was enjoyed by all, I have played Oak Ridge in the past, and it is a great course, but tonight all the action was in the club house!

Reporting Live from Ring Side for livefromringside.com

Todd Webb