Minnesota Fight Night

In this episode, the Minnesota Fight Night podcast visits with local boxer and musical artist Slink Proper. Slink, of St. Paul, boasts a perfect 7-0 record and is the reigning Mid American Super Welterweight champion. On March 10, at The Garden in Duluth, he will face off against hard-hitting Noah Kidd, who most recently boxed former world champion Sergio Martinez. Slink has been sparring with another former champion, Jamal “Shango” James of Minneapolis. James returns to the ring this Saturday, February 25, at The Armory in Minneapolis. In the following Interview, Slink talks about his experience working with James, the upcoming Armory card, and his own big fight in Duluth. Making a cameo appearance is Slink’s 6-year-old son, an emerging boxer in his own right. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

In this episode, we catch up with Tyler Nystrom and Alex Citrowske, who will face off in a 168-pound clash on the March 10 card at The Garden in Duluth. Nystrom, a military veteran who was stationed in Afghanistan, is making his pro debut. Citrowske is back in the ring after successful knee surgery. Most recently, Citrowske took on John Gotti III at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut (yes, he’s a grandson of THAT John Gotti). The guys also chat about video games, Will Farrell movies and more. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, we catch up with Eddy Valenzuela, an outstanding local amateur boxer and engineering student at the University of St. Thomas. Valenzuela, who has won the lion’s share of his 60-plus amateur fights, boxes out of the Minnesota Top Team gym in Eagan. In the following interview, Valenzuela talks about how he got started in boxing, his decorated amateur career and more. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

In this episode, local amateur boxers Kevin Greenlee and Jeff Bassett talk about how they got into boxing and what it’s like to compete in the masters’ division, amateur boxing’s answer to the senior golf circuit. Specifically, they discuss their upcoming rematch. The friendly rivals run it back this Saturday, Feb. 4, as part of a big amateur show at the Element Gym in St. Paul. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

The Minnesota Fight Night podcast debuted in 2020 with special guest Jamal “Shango” James. Fittingly, as we kick off our fourth season, Minneapolis boxer James (27-2, 12 KOs) is back to talk about his Feb. 25 Showtime-televised fight at The Armory in Minneapolis. James, a former WBA welterweight champion, returns to the ring after a 16-month layoff. His opponent, a 2016 Olympic boxer, is Alberto Palmetta of Argentina. This episode features audio from a Jan. 25 media event at the Circle of Discipline, James’ home gym, and a one-on-two interview with James and his sparring partner, Slink Proper, an up-and-coming pro boxer in his own right. Trainer Sankara Frazier also joins the conversation. Armory boxing publicist Robb Leer does the honors with the opening round of questions. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, we re-live the exciting Dec. 3 IGNITE Boxing card at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. The episode features post-fight interviews with the following boxers on the card: heavyweight Colton Warner (6-1), middleweight Gavin Hendrickson (2-0-1), middleweight Brandon Jenkins (1-0-1) and light heavyweight Corey Thompson (4-2). Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

Gavin Hendrickson and Brandon Jenkins join the podcast to preview their fight on the Dec. 3 IGNITE BOXING I card at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. Fans won’t want to miss this compelling middleweight matchup. Richfield resident Hendrickson (2-0, 2 KOs) boasts a strong amateur boxing background and an unbeaten record in the pro ranks. Jenkins (1-0, 1 KO), a former Minnesotan now residing in Las Vegas, has extensive mixed martial arts experience and is working on his boxing skills with Shane Mosley Jr. Both fighters appear confident heading into the matchup. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

Super Lightweights Roman Cruz and Ryan Dew join the podcast to preview their fight on the Dec. 3 IGNITE BOXING I card at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. Cruz (0-1), of Grand Forks, North Dakota, returns to the Twin Cities for his second pro fight. Most recently, in April, he went toe-to-toe with Josh Clark, dropping a four-round majority decision. Dew, a U.S. military veteran who served in Afghanistan, makes his pro debut. Dew hails from Osakis, Minnesota. This promises to be an entertaining bout. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

Heavyweights Dennys Reyes and Terrence Walker join the podcast to preview their fight on the Dec. 3 IGNITE boxing card at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. Expect fireworks, as both fighters are heavy-handed and are determined to put on a good show for the local fans. Reyes, a native of Cuba now fighting out of Minneapolis, will enter the ring with a 3-3 record as a pro. Walker (1-2) returns home to Minneapolis after going on the road for his first three fights. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635

Light heavyweights Corey Thompson and Robert Calvin preview their Dec. 3 fight on the IGNITE Boxing card at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. Minnesota boxer Thompson boasts a 4-1 record with 3 KOs. He faces a tough challenge in the person of Calvin, who is 2-0 as a pro with both wins coming by knockout. A native of Chicago, Calvin now makes his home in Davenport, Iowa. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635