Anthony Bonsante


Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante is a professional boxer and competitor on reality TV show The Contender. He also works overnight as a supervisor at a distribution center.

Personal life

Bonsante is a father of two children.

Boxing career

On TV's "The Contender"

He was a contestant on reality TV show The Contender, shortly before which he fought future contestant Peter Manfredo and lost. That fight was Manfredo's first defence of the WBO and NABA Light Middleweight Titles. Bonsante had previously won a fight for the vacant IBU Super Middleweight Title.
On the show, he was placed on the West Coast team and fought Brent Cooper in the sixth First Round fight. He won in his characteristic aggressive style. However, he was meant to fight Jimmy Lange, and an argument ensued over his choosing not to do so - Ishe Smith in particular become infuriated at his conduct. Tarick Salmaci was the only boxer to accept that he had fought well.
After running into an uppercut from Jesse Brinkley in the quarter finals despite having had the upper hand with his characteristically aggressive boxing style was knocked into a daze, and found himself flat on the canvas. His feud with Ishe continued as they fought in a Fans Favourite Fight on finals night - trying an illegal move on him before going on to lose.
Bonsante fought a rematch with Jesse Brinkley on The Contender Rematch Reality Show. Though the ringside announcers gave the fight to Bonsante, the judges awarded the victory to Brinkley.

After "The Contender"

In July 2006, he was beaten by super middleweight prospect Allan Green on ESPN.
He injected new life in his career on January 12, 2007, with a ten-round unanimous decision win over archrival Matt Vanda for the Minnesota state middleweight title and vacant IBA Americas belt, before a big crowd of 8,872 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Bonsante dropped Vanda in the tenth on the way to a 98–92, 98–91, 98–91 win. He lost a technical decision to John Duddy on March 16 at Madison Square Garden, after referee Steve Smoger judged him unable to continue after the ninth round due to a cut from an earlier accidental headbutt.
On July 31, 2008, Bonsante lost a 1st-round KO to Adonis Stevenson when Bonsante was caught with a sharp left just 46 seconds into the first round. Bonsante went down on his back, with his eyes shut. Veteran and WBC appointed referee began counting but stopped at a count of six as it appeared that Bonsante had been knocked out. As Bolen was waiving off the fight, Bonsante rapidly got up and appeared to be completely alert. Nonetheless, the referee refused to allow the fight to continue. ESPN boxing analyst Teddy Atlas commented that Bonsante may have been playing possum by pretending to be knocked out, but miscalculated the referee's reaction.
On January 20, 2009, it was announced that Bonsante would defend his Minnesota middleweight title against challenger Andy Kolle at Grand Casino Hinckley on March 27 of the same year.
Andy Kolle wins by a TKO in round 3 after which Anthony Bonsante announces retirement from the sport.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, TimeDateLocationNotes
50LossYori Boy CampasDQ6 Jan 23, 2016Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.
49Win34–12–3Daniel GonzalesUD8Sep 26, 2015Flathead Country Fairgrounds, Kalispell, Montana, U.S.
48Win33–12–3Sam HillUD6May 31, 2014Sports Center, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, U.S.
47Loss32–12–3Robert KliewerSD8Dec 18, 2010Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
46Loss32–11–3Andy KolleTKO3, 1:37Mar 28, 2009Grand Casino, Honckley, Minnesota, U.S.For USA Minnesota State middleweight title
45Win32–10–3Carl DanielsUD10Sep 20, 2008Treasure Island Casino, Red Wing, Minnesota, U.S.
44Loss31–10–3Adonis StevensonKO1, 0:46Aug 1, 2008Gare Windsor Salle des Pas Perdus, Montreal, CanadaFor WBC Continental Americas super-middleweight title
43Win31–9–3Ted MullerRTD5, 3:00Jun 6, 2008Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
42Win30–9–3Kendall GouldUD8Aug 24, 2007Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S
41Loss29–9–3John DuddyTD9 3:00Mar 16, 2007Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For IBA and WBC Continental Americas middleweight titles
40Win29–8–3Matt VandaUD10Jan 12, 2007Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.Retained USA Minnesota State middleweight title; Won vacant IBA Americas middleweight title
39Win28–8–3Troy LowryTKO8, 3:00Nov 17, 2006Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.Won vacant USA Minnesota State middleweight title
38Win27–8–3Larry BorthersKO4, 2:34Oct 7, 2006Patriot Center - George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.
37Loss26–8–3Allan GreenTKO5, 2:37Jul 21, 2006Million Dollar Elm Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
36Loss26–7–3Jesse BrinkleyUD5Oct 15, 2005Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.The Contender Series
35Loss26–6–3Ishe SmithUD5May 24, 2005Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.The Contender Series
34Loss26–5–3Jesse BrinkleyTKO5, 2:24Sep 21, 2004Pasadena, California, U.S.The Contender Series
33Win26–4–3Brent CooperTKO3, 0:38Sep 2, 2004Pasadena, California, U.S.The Contender Series
32Loss25–4–3Peter Manfredo Jr.UD12May 14, 2004Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.For WBO–NABO junior-middleweight title
31Win25–3–3Reggie StricklandUD8Sep 6, 2003Sport's Cafe, Fridley, Minnesota, U.S.
30Win24–3–3Roni MartinezTKO3 Aug 23, 2003Canterbury Downs Racetrack, Shakopee, Minnesota, U.S.Corner Retirement
29Win23–3–3Tony Ayala Jr.TKO11, 1:32Apr 25, 2003Thunderbird Wold West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.Won vacant IBA super-middleweight title
28Win22–3–3Marris VirgilTKO3, 3:00Apr 11, 2003Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
27Win21–3–3Donnie PeneltonUD8Mar 15, 2003Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, U.S.
26Draw20–3–3Prince Badi AjamuSD8Oct 4, 2002Dover Downs, Dover, Delaware, U.S.
25Win20–3–2Jonathan CornTKO3, 1:52Jun 16, 2002Treasure Island Casino, Red Wing, Minnesota, U.S.
24Win19–3–2Marris VirgilTKO3, 2:22Jun 7, 2002Wade Stadium, Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
23Win18–3–2Gustavo Alonso SotoUD10Jan 31, 2002Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
22Win17–3–2Donnie PeneltonUD8Oct 26, 2001Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
21Win16–3–2Dustin MarshallTKO2, 1:15Jul 28, 2001Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
20Loss15–3–2Tocker PudwillUD8Jun 1, 2001Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
19Win15–2–2Billy MastrangeloUD8Mar 23, 2001Sportscenter, Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.
18Win14–2–2Rob BleaklyUD6Jan 12, 2001Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
17Loss13–2–2Danny ThomasTKO8, 1:12Sep 2, 1999Adam's Mark Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
16Win13–1–2Manuel EsparzaTKO6 Jun 19, 1999Cuzzy's Bar, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
15Win12–1–2Ruben RuizTKO2 May 22, 1999Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
14Win11–1–2Rob BleaklyUD8May 9, 1999Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S.
13Win10–1–2Rico CasonUD8Feb 12, 1999Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
12Win9–1–2Scott SalaTKO4, 1:50Nov 20, 1998Catfish Bend Casino, Burlington, Iowa, U.S.
11Win8–1–2Mike SerrTKO4 Nov 13, 1998Jackpot Junction, Casino, Morton, Minnesota, U.S.
10Win7–1–2Danny ThomasPTS6Oct 1, 1998Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
9Win6–1–2David FosterUD4Aug 29, 1998Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.
8Win5–1–2Richard WilsonPTS5Jun 5, 1998North Star Casino, Keshena, Wisconsin, U.S.
7Win4–1–2David HorvathTKO2 Dec 2, 1997Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, U.S.
6Draw3–1–2Rhoshii WellsPTS4Oct 10, 1997Jackpot Junction Casino, Morton, Minnesota, U.S.
5Draw3–1–1LaVerne ClarkSD6Sep 13, 1997All Seasons Arena, Mandan, North Dakota, U.S.
4Loss3–1Kingsley IkekePTS6Jun 6, 1997Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
3Win3–0Shawn StalderTKO1 Mar 28, 1997Graham Arena, Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
2Win2–0Shawn StalderTKO4 Aug 24, 19964 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S.
1Win1–0Pete Flying HorseTKO1 Jun 22, 19964 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S.