The main event of Nov 17th’s “Capital Punishment”, Vanda versus Kolle is no doubt worth the price of admission. 2,500 fans would turn out for this fight if it were the only bout of the night and held at the St. Paul Harding High School gymnasium. It will definitely be that good.
But the undercard this night could be equally as exciting. Over the next three weeks, I’d like to briefly profile three of the undercard fighters: Jon Schimdt, Phil Williams and Willshaun Boxley.
But the undercard this night could be equally as exciting. Over the next three weeks, I’d like to briefly profile three of the undercard fighters: Jon Schimdt, Phil Williams and Willshaun Boxley.
I’d like to start this week with a few words about 26 year old Willshaun Boxley from Minneapolis, MN. Willshaun, 5’5”, makes his professional debut on November 17th at featherweight after a sterling amateur career that included 3 upper Midwest Golden Gloves titles and the 2007 USA four state tournament championship.
There were even bigger opportunities available this year for Boxley but financial challenges forced him to bypass those options and turn professional.
“I was supposed compete in the nationals in Colorado Springs for a chance to compete in the Olympic box office which leads to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China,” Boxley told SO Boxing. “But I didn’t have enough funds to get there and back, and that has been the biggest problem for me this year, my finances. This has been the worst year of my life.”
Boxley, a talented amateur fighter inside the ring, has no doubt hardened outside the ring as well as he has persevered through some difficult life experiences on his way to his professional debut on November 17th.
“I had to move back in with my mom, but she got really sick and she moved up north to live with my sister,” Boxley said. “I ended up staying house to house with friends and sometimes I even had to sleep in my car. There was a time this summer when I had no where to sleep but my car for a whole month. Now I have finally started to grow. And since I am turning pro I feel that I finally have a better chance at redemption.”
“I am in great shape, and I have been working out with some of the best people,” Boxley continued. “I feel good about working out. I haven't worked out with this much effort in about three years!”
Along with his amateur pedigree and determination through his life challenges, Boxley hopes to demonstrate at “Capital Punishment” some of his greatest strengths between the ropes.
Boxley possesses tremendous hand and foot speed, solid counterpunching ability, and power in both hands that would stun a middleweight. An exciting skill set for upper Midwest fight fans to come out and witness first hand next month at Myth in Maplewood. Currently, Boxley is scheduled to face off against another fighter making his professional debut, Nick Arellano from Davenport, Iowa.
Although Boxley is just getting started in the professional game, he has lofty goals and aspirations that he wants to achieve.
“I want to make a great impact on everyone in Minnesota,” Boxley told SO Boxing. “I want to fill the stadium one day! I want to be remembered. I get a thrill out of putting on a great show for fans. When I get out the ring I want to see a smile on everyone's face. I have had a thrill every day since I was a kid, back in Detroit. I had to fight every bully in school and I made everyone around me wonder how a kid so little could beat someone so big! I feel I’m going to be something great, because I have a hunger to achieve and I want more than just money, I want happiness.”
The thrill on November 17th for upper Midwest fight fans will be to have the opportunity to witness the professional debut of a talented featherweight who has grown as a man and no doubt brings star potential to the ring.
Willshaun Boxley will be an exciting addition to “Capital Punishment’ November 17th at Myth, so don’t miss your chance to get tickets today to see Willshaun for yourself!
