Anderson ready to fight again at age 65

Now that former heavyweight champion George Foreman is retired from the boxing ring, another wave of senior fighters is on the rise.

Medina’s Rick Anderson, who owns Rumble Boy Gym, is leading the drive to make prize fighting a lifetime sport. Last week he signed a contract to box against Marty “The Wolfman” Lindquist in the main event of a card in Northwood, Iowa Saturday, Dec. 14.

The winner will be recognized as “The Baddest Man Over 50.”

One question that comes to mind is, where did Anderson come up with this idea?

“Basically, I have been fighting most of my life,” he said. For the last 10 years, he has mostly trained young fighters. But through sparring with the young guys, he decided boxing again would be fun.

“I thought of people I knew who might want to fight, and The Wolfman was at the top of my list,” Anderson said. “He is heavier than I am and also younger. My last fight was 11 years ago, but I know I can still take a punch.”

The fight in Iowa is scheduled for five rounds of two minutes each, and the combatants will square off in a 12-foot cage.

“Personally, I would have preferred a ring,” Anderson said. “I think I am faster and more agile than The Wolfman. But he has one advantage. His right hand is like a club.”

Lindquist is heavier than Anderson by about 20 pounds. The weight limit for their fight is 200 pounds. Anderson currently weighs in at 182, so he won’t have to cut weight for the fight.

Through his career in the ring, Anderson has had boxing matches, kick boxing matches, mixed martial arts matches and even bare-knuckle fights. In addition to competing in the ring, he has served as a bodyguard for well-known celebrities such as Chuck Norris and Mr. T.

“I know that The Wolfman will be looking to land that big right hand,” Anderson said. “He’ll come at me straight-forward, kind of like Fred Flintstone coming toward me with a club. Once I connect, he will find out that I can hit pretty hard, too.

“At 65, I still have my brains and I want to keep it that way.”

The fight will headline the card at Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa. VIP tickets will be on sale for $50 each. General admission tickets are $25. Fans can also watch on pay per view TV. The under card includes wrestling, mixed martial arts and kick boxing.