On August 9th, 2019 Grand Friday Night Fights returns to Grand Casino Hinckley with the main event between Minnesota State super lightweight champion Rondale Hubbert and DeLorien Caraway. The state title clash will feature the end of a de facto Minnesota 140 pound tournament which has featured many top fighters from around the state over the last 5 years. The card is titled “Final Chapter”.
Caraway is looking toward turning “Final Chapter” into a new beginning as he has found a home in the 140-pound division since hooking up trainer, former 154 lb MN state champion, Corey Rodriguez. The pair have found instant success as many ringside observers felt Caraway had never looked better when he defeated Markus Morris this past January to earn his title shot. According to Caraway, it was a fight he took very personal after an amateur fight against Morris years ago.
“We wanted the fight against Morris because I felt I was robbed badly in Duluth. Me and my people remember his people cheering and celebrating as though he had beaten me. I felt disrepected because I always cheer for other guys from this state to be successful so getting the fight made wasn’t a hard decision. I wanted to punish him in front of his people for those actions years ago. As for the fight, we felt as though he was a front runner and thought he was going to blow his gas tank early. We wanted to box and show him and the crowd that there are levels to boxing and that it’s not just about being tough. I told him he’s a good fighter afterwards and that he’s going to grow from it. It’s boxing and even the greats take losses.”
A win for Caraway against Hubbert would be the perfect launching pad for him onto the national scene.
“This has all the making to be a good fight,” said Caraway. I love the challenge because he’s a tough and durable veteran with a lot of experience who’s seen a lot of different styles. We had our run-ins in the amateurs 7-8 years ago that were two great fights. I’m 2-0 against him so I know he wants to get me back”.
“I love this opportunity. When they presented the fight to me, I said yes right away. He’s a 2-time state champion, undefeated here in Minnesota so it’s going to be big”.
One-Two Boxing’s Marlin Sims and Joe James are also featured on the show.
