Fight Will Reveal Frank Appraisal Spokane Boxer Vassar In Biggest Bout

The tale of the tape neglects Spokane boxer Frank Vassar’s best attribute.

“His main asset is he’s tougher than hell,” said Moe Smith, Vassar’s trainer.

Vassar has been knocked down three times in his career. Each time, he got off his duff and won the fight.

His tenacity will be challenged when he faces Tyrone Armstead for the IBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title tonight at the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo/Casino. The five-bout card begins at 7:30 in Worley, Idaho.

This will be roughly Vassar’s 260th fight - the 12th and biggest of his pro career. Much of what might lay ahead will be determined by tonight’s outcome.

“I want to be a world champion,” said Vassar, who weighed in Tuesday at 175 pounds, his lowest weight since 1992.

A win keeps Vassar’s dream alive. A loss puts his future in doubt. Armstead, from Evansville, Ind., is 10-3-3.

Since Vassar is on a five-year plan, he has no time for setbacks.

“I know I can keep my heart and mind into it for that long,” said Vassar, who landed National Golden Gloves and U.S. Olympic Festival titles during his amateur career.

When he turned pro about 18 months ago, he made a promise to his father, Dan.

“I never wanted him to go pro because it’s a different game than amateur,” the elder Vassar said. “He said he’d like to see what he could do. I told him, ‘If you ever start getting hurt, you’ll promise to quit,’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ So I’m 100 percent behind him.”

A lot of folks are. Vassar always has a sizable following at his bouts in Worley, from high-school buddies to co-workers from Kaiser Aluminum.

Vassar, 28, works three 12-hour shifts weekly as a welder to free up time to train. He also gave up being a lieutenant in the National Guard to concentrate on his boxing.

He planned to turn pro about four years ago, but was delayed because of military commitments. For two years, he didn’t box and he soared to 240 pounds.

“If I had to do it over, I don’t know if I would have done it the same way,” Vassar said.

Vassar slimmed down after returning to the ring, but he still doesn’t have the sculpted body that some fighters possess. He doesn’t offer foolish, loud-mouth guarantees that many boxers do. But he does believe in himself.

“I have a little natural ability, but I’ve had to work for everything,” he said.

That’s where heart enters the picture.

“I will admit I haven’t given him the toughest guys to fight, but every now and then I’ve given him some tough guys,” said Smith, who also serves as a matchmaker for fights in Worley. “He’s passed the test every time. This guy (Armstead) is very tough, but Frank’s not afraid of anybody.

“He’s got that dogged determination - the big heart.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: BOXING CARD (Fights begin tonight at 7:30) Main event: Frank Vassar, Spokane, vs. Tyrone Armstead, Evansville, Ind., 12 rounds Para Draine, Spokane, vs. Theresa “Ziff” Arnold, Boise, 10 rounds Rick Welliver, Spokane, vs. Paris Johnson, Nashville, Tenn., 6 rounds Verdal Smith, Oklahoma City, Okla., vs. Kenny Brown, Fort Wayne, Ind., 6 rounds Blake Johnson, Seattle, vs. Kip Triplett, 4 rounds