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First fight sometime in JanuaryBy BRIAN HANSEL Journal SportswriterRuss Johnson is a self-confessed optimist.Without names like John Ugstad and Joel Ecker on the card this year, Johnson is nevertheless looking for another good year as head of the Fergus Falls Boxing Club.Johnson, who has been inSAN DIEGO (AP) — Quarterback Joe Namath of the New York Jets was punished from starting against the San Diego Chargers for missing a weekend curfew.But his belated entrance in the second quarter entry did little to affect the final outcome of the nationally televised con-boxing since 1938, feels this will be a rebuilding year. He has some familiar names back in the lightweight divisions and a couple of newcomers that could shake things up.Joe Devorak (Fergus Falls) is back fighting at 95 pounds. Devorak, 15, has been with Johnson for three years andsecond straight Monday night, beating the Jets 24-16.Running backs Rickey Young, Tony Baker and Bo Matthews each scored on short touchdown runs and Young rushed for 111 yards in 21 carries, his second consecutive 100-yard game.Steve Davis and John Rigginsscored on one-varri nlnnves forin Cheyenne, Wyo., where he won posted a 1-1 record.On a recent trip to Pierre, S.D., Devorak lost to the South Dakota state champ.Dave Johnson (Underwood), 17, has been in the program for three years. Last year Johnson went all the way to the National AAU (American AthleticNamath completed 15 of 29 passes for 181 yards, but was outshone by San Diego quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Jesse Freitas, who combined for eight completions in 16 tries for 109 yards and kept scoring drives alive with clutch passes.The Chargers scored on thefirst nossessinn nf the rampShreveport, La. where he won his first fight, then lost to thefinalist on a split decision.In the Upper Midwest Tournament last year, Johnson, boxing at 106 pounds, lost to the 112-pound champ.Paul Landberg (Fergus Falls), will be back boxing at 125 pounds this year. Landbergone-yard plunge.Riggins, who rushed for 75 yards in 25 carries, added a meaningless touchdown for the Jets with three seconds left in the game.* National Football LeagueNational Conference Eastern DivisionW . L T. Pet PF PAx St L. 10 3 0 .769 332 263w Dallas 9 4 0 692 319 247; a lit ' m MX*Alast year went to the regionals Union) boxing competition infown,” he saidhas been with the program for three years. He fought at 119pounds last year.Dean Dolan (Fergus Falls), 18, is one of the newcomers to Johnson’s program. A former standout athlete for the Fergus Falls Otters, Dolan is a good prospect as a light heavyweight according to Johnson.Rick Zahnow (Fergus Falls), 21, has been boxing for Johnson off and oh in the last five years.‘‘It has been more off than on,” said Johnson, ‘‘because he did not learn to handle himself like he does from me.” Zahnow looks like a good prospect fighting as a middleweight.Johnson wants to set up at least one match, starting in January, every week up until the Upper Midwest tournamentin March.‘‘We will be boxing in the Golden Gloves up until the time we vo to the UDDcr Midwest.”SPARRING PARTNERS — Dean Dolan, left, a former standout with the Fergus Falls Otters and a first year boxing prospect works out against John Ugstad who is assistant coach this year for Russ Johnson. (Journal photo by Brian Haasel)
Newspaper Details
Fergus Falls Daily Journal
Fergus Falls, Minnesota, US
Tue, Dec 16, 1975
Page 15
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 26 Aug 2020
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