Minnesota Boxing League

MINNESOTA BOXING LEAGUE

www.mnboxingleague.com

The Fight - December 4th, 2009 by Laura Zink

In the first heavyweight Minnesota State Title fight in 32 years, the fight was ruled out after round 1 due to disqualification. (It was changed to No Contest) After Raphael Butler got soundly rocked by Joey Abell in round one, something truly terrible happened. Just as Butler was pulling away from Abell and dropping his hands at the end of the round, Abell moved in and threw an uppercut and two shots to the head which made Butler go stiff and fall backwards onto the canvas. Dan O’Conner leaped into the ring and began pushing Abell and screaming at him. Ron Lyke jumped into the ring to defend his fighter as cornermen from all sides began storming the ring. Abell, stunned, did his best to try and break up the pile of battling cornermen. And Butler, as he began to awake from the knockout, lifted his head to see the dogpile tumbling out of control at his feet as he still lay on the canvas. And as everyone fell over each other and the fight began to peter out, it became clear that Abell didn’t know that he threw those final devastating punches after the bell. As Butler was getting up, Abell could be seen in his corner mouthing, ‘I didn’t hear it. I didn’t hear it.’ Butler, realizing that Abell clearly did not intend to hit him after the bell, took the mike and put his arm around Joey and telling the crowd, “It was an accident. We are going to do it again.” And the crowd, shocked by the events that had just taken place, resolutely booed and even broke out into a couple of fights of their own. But after the earthquake and the aftershocks in the crowd subsided, almost everyone, from the fans, to the fighters, to the commissioners, and even the employees at the Target Center stood there for a moment with mouths agape, dumbstruck at the events which has just transpired. It was a fight finish which was truly surreal.

But for all that last night was, the fight at the Target Center will not soon be forgotten. For many in attendance last night, that fight showed boxing for what it is: blood and guts. Equally critical in all its circumstances, be they high or be they low, boxing shows us what life looks like when it is stripped down to its most crucial characteristics. Be it greatest glory, the toughest challenge, the deepest upset, or the most unpredictable chaos, boxing makes us focus on life’s biggest moments, and in the most brutal detail, it shows us the things we want to see, the things we don’t…and the things that we just can’t look away from. And that fight at the Target Center last night had it all.

Joey 'Minnesota Ice' Abell, The future may be here

February 12, 2009

As I prepare to cover the fights on February 13 at Epic nightclub, I cant help but think, how many more times will we be able to watch this pro in such an intimate environment. As most know, nothing draws crowds like a heavyweight fighter. There is just something about a giant in the ring and all the power that comes with them. Joey Abell is not like most Heavy’s, he not only has size and weight, he is chiseled out of stone. The man looks like Mr. America. I for one, am a huge fan of fighters in the higher weight classes that actually care enough about the sport to condition like the lower weight guys. This is what brings me to my point. We need to not let these chances pass us. Abell will be fighting in the close quarters of Epic night club. The heavyweight division is probably the weakest division in all of boxing, there really is not anyone who snatches our imaginations. Enter Joey, A few more wins could catapult Joey in to top contention on the worldwide scene. He is one of the few Minnesota fighters who are only a couple wins away from big time. Don’t let this opportunity to see Abell up close pass you by.

Just this week I took a huge hit from Minnesota ice, I was out like light. No, Joey didn’t come up to Duluth and lay the JAB of steel on me. The ice that knocked me out was made of frozen water and on my sidewalk. Point being, Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell leaves a similar result on his opponents as Minnesota ice left on me. Knocked out Cold.

February 13, Seconds Out Promotions, Buy tickets and help fight ALS

Todd

Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell Interview

July 14, 2009

“Iron” Mike Ditka would love this guy. Joey Abell’s opponents are intimidated from the moment the first bell rings. POWER, WOW, THE JAB, are all things I have come to expect when going to cover a Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell fight. His size, power, and intimidating presence in the ring make him one of our fighters I think can make a name for himself far beyond Minnesota. I am very happy to be able to share our conversation below. I would like to give a special thanks to Mic for helping to make this interview happen.

M…. “Minnesota Ice” is one of the best monikers out there, how did it come about?

Joey…. One of my managers gave me that name early on in my professional career. I wasn’t to sure about it at first but when they announced me at the fight it sounded good so I kept it.

M…. There are very few heavyweights that have the look of a well trained athlete, you are one of them. How hard is it to stay in such great shape and maintain the fighting weight you and your trainers want to be at?

Joey…. I enjoy working out so it really is not hard for me to keep in shape. In addition when I am not working out I play softball, volleyball, football, etc. anything active. My ideal fighting weight is around 240 and its not really a problem except in the summer when I drop a bit lower because of the heat.

M…. Do you believe in weight training as a compliment to core training?

Joey…. I absolutely believe in weight training along with core training. I lift five times a week and believe my power punches are a direct result of this training.

M…. I have heard complaints about recent opponents. Personally, I think it would be very difficult to match you, given your very real power, and high risk/reward ratio any given fighter has when coming to face you. Do these thoughts and factors play on your mind at all when pursuing your dream?

Joey…. Its very frustrating at times. I don’t set up the fights, I leave that to management. Sometimes they have trouble finding a suitable opponent and I am given very short notice to train for that fighter. I think it is harder to fight some of these fighters without any records or videos because you don’t know how they will react in the ring. I would much rather face a top 50 opponent, I think they are much more predictable. I was only given two weeks notice for the Teke Oruh fight and was criticized because I wasn’t aggressive enough. Many of the good fighters won’t fight me because there is little to gain and much to lose. I have sparred with both Ruiz and Chambers and was sent home because apparently I was a bit to aggressive with them. I know I can beat Ruiz, Chambers would be a challenge because he is a lot quicker but I think I would do well against him also.

M…. You are getting a chance to avenge your loss to Alfred Cole in Sweden, How excited are you to get this opportunity?

Joey…. Extremely excited. I have wanted this fight right after the announcement that he won the decision last time. Believe me, he won’t have room to breathe next time.

M…. There has been a lot of talk about a possible showdown between you and Butler, the fans have been clamoring for it for a long time. How much do you want this fight?

Joey…. Butler and I are friends. We have known each other a long time. I believe we will be fighting in October of this year in a large outdoor venue. I want this fight because the fans want it,. We don’t hate each or anything like that. I have great fans and like to give them what they want and put on a good show for them. I give everything I have every time I step in the ring.

M…. I have made it no secret that I think you have a very real chance to make it big in the heavyweight division. What are your boxing dreams?

Joey…. World Champ, of course.

M…. How soon would you like to be taking on the top guys?

Joey…. I am trying to do that now and have been. Its hard and in boxing nobody has to fight offensive weapon, I used it more to keep the opponent a distance. My team has been working with me lately on this and I am finding out how effective it can be.

anyone unless your champ. They must have motivation either in money or exposure or fan pressure, etc. We will keep trying but I think if I am going to climb the scale it may have to be outside Minnesota. The bigger the crowd (or tv) the bigger the purse. The bigger the purse the better the fighter.

M…. In person, I have never seen a more powerful jab than yours. Do you feel your jab has been increasing in power?

Joey…. I am not sure if the power is any better but I have found a new confidence in my jab. I have never really used it in the past as an

M…. You had a string of bad luck. What have you learned from having gone through that 3 fight losing streak?

Joey…. I make no excuses for my loses but I learn something in every fight I have. The thing in boxing is one mistake per fight can cost you the win so you try and minimize risk taking, stick to your game plan, and believe in your management team.

M…. Is there any fighter from the past or present that you try and pattern your style after?

Joey….. Like a lot of young fighters, I idolized Ali. I would dance, bob and weave. Once I made it to the pros I developed my own style based on what my managers told me. Its not really patterned after anyone fighter but rather trying to take advantage of my abilities, speed, power, etc.

M…. What should fight fans expect from going to a show you are on?

Joey…. They can expect me to give them 100% effort in every fight and expect the unexpected when you watch the heavies.

I would like to thank Minnesota Ice for taking time to answer our questions.

Caleb Truax, Joey Abell, and MMA shine at Epic Nightclub

Joey brought the WOW and JAB. Abell was just too much for Rhode and ended it in the first. It seemed once Marcus Rhode felt Joey’s power, he was done.

MINNESOTA ICE

Joey Abell * Heavyweight Boxer