By Damon Gonzalez – Rockford’s top young boxer in years is ready to step it up another level later this month during a major fight card in Rockford. Bazooka Joe Linenfelser will fight in the main event in the ‘Old School Toe-2-Toe event at the All-Starz Sports Complex..
The last time Bazooka Joe fought in April he knocked out Scott Carlson with a jarring upper-cut. That’s been the story for this 19 year old in all of his fights whether they’ve been straight boxing matches or kickboxing matches. His competition has been solid but not spectacular. That’s about to change.
‘Everybody in the area’s been asking when is Joe going to step up,’ said Joe’s father and fight promoter Jeff Linenfelser. ‘When we’re ready for him to step up I’ve said, and now he’s ready to step up.’
On June 28th he’ll face Fernando Hernandez of Chicago, a five-time world champion in boxing and kickboxing.
‘This is a tough guy….an experienced old veteran,’ said Jeff Linenfelser.
‘Hernandez is 37 years old. By far he’ll be the most experienced opponent Bazooka Joe will have faced. Joe has admired Hernandez for years.
‘I’ve been to a couple of his fights, so I know how he fights,’ said Joe. ‘I’ve been almost like a fan of his. When I was little I was paying attention to the way he fights.’
To prepare for the fight, Bazooka Joe will head to Florida next week to sparr with some top boxers including Hector Camacho Junior. Bazooka Joe is a natural boxer who’s taken up kickboxing on the side.
‘It’s my way of testing myself, a new challenge.’ ‘I feel kickboxing will help me a lot. It helps with footwork toward boxing and helps me work on more dangerous angles to work on opponents.’
Hernandez is the opposite. He started off as a kickboxer and then moved into boxing. So Hernandez will be going back to his roots with this kickboxing match.
‘As a dad I’m a little apprehensive,’ said Jeff Linenfelser. ‘It’s his toughest fight ever. It could turn into a blood bath. I know my son is a warrior, and he’ll make it through it.’
The Bazooka Joe-Fernando Hernandez bout will be the main event during the Old School Toe-2-Toe night. Other kickboxers and MMA fighters on the card will include Shane Adams, Damian Norris, Chris Appleton and Leslie Stoll. Tickets are on sale now at several locations including the All-Starz Sports Complex, Lincoln Rental on Riverside, Crash 1 on Perryville, and the Stadium Auto Plaza.
You can learn more about the event by going to http://www.fighthard.net/