"Dangerous" Danny Schommer. With a moniker like that in the sport of boxing, one had better live up to the hype. Dan Schommer did just that; as one cannot be more dangerous than not losing a single match in 9 consecutive years, yet that is precisely what the pride of Northeast Minneapolis did. From his first pro fight in 1986, to the day he took off the gloves for the final time after fighting for the World's title in 1994, Dan Schommer never knew what it was like to see the other's man's hand raised, and when it finally happened on that last day in South Africa, neither fan, nor ringside commentator could hide their disgust at the verdict. Schommer was simply…perfect.

From his simon-pure days in the Golden Gloves, Dan Schommer was never familiar with the concept of losing. He spent 7 years in the amateur ranks, winning the Upper Midwest title 6 of those 7 years, 2nd all-time in Upper Midwest history, behind only John Richman. The smooth-boxing southpaw from New Brighton was perhaps the most intelligent ring master the state has seen in decades. Powerful enough to bang, but patient enough to bide his time for the right moment, Schommer frustrated opponents into making mistakes; mistakes he made them pay for. An excellent counter-puncher with a long reach and an educated jab, Schommer preferred to pick his opponents apart from the outside, all the while giving them strange angles and movement which threw them off.
Dan turned professional under the management of Curt Kummala with Bill Kaehn as head trainer. On August 19, 1986 Schommer debuted in Brooklyn Park, knocking out Cleo Johns in the 2nd stanza with his southpaw straight left cross to the jaw, and the era of "Dangerous Dan" had begun. After knocking out Henry Enlow in December of 86', Schommer was 5-0 with 4 KO's, and moved up to fighting 6-rounders. Kummala and Kaehn brought him out to Sterling Heights, Michigan where Dan had already racked up 2 road victories. First came Jimmy Morgan, whom Schommer hammered out in 2. Then came feisty Tim Knight. Knight was a brawler who liked to fight a little dirty, and he tried to make it a war with Danny. But Dan played the matador with the brawling Kentucky fighter, and frustrated him to the point of disqualification.

Dan went on to win his next 7 bouts, 6 of them via the KO route, before facing local rival, Jimmy Shavers for the vacant state Middleweight title at the old Bel Rae Ballroom in Mounds View. Schommer fought a tactical battle, boxing, counter-punching, and picking his moments to mix with the cagey veteran. In the end, Schommer won the fight via unanimous decision and was the new state champion as well.

Dan then went out west to make his Las Vegas television debut where he dismantled Jose Cebreros in the very first round. His impressive demolition got him a return invitation to the city that never sleeps, as he took apart Ron Malek in May of 88' in just a round longer than he did Cebreros. 1989 was equally as successful for the New Brighton superstar, as he went 7-0 including an exciting 10-round performance over Alberto Gonzalez in Nevada, a win that got Schommer national exposure on ESPN. Dan posted 5 more victories over the next year and half, and then abruptly called it quits, frustrated with his lack of opportunity for a crack at a world title. He was a perfect 28-0-1 with 18 KO's and was only 31 years-old. After 2 years away from the sport, he began to get the boxing bug again, and joined forces with long-time Minneapolis boxing manager, "Papa" Joe Daszkiewicz in the spring of 1993. Daszkiewicz quickly scheduled Schommer a tune-up fight, but it would not be an easy one…former world-rated title challenger, Nicky Walker. Walker was tough as nails, and gave Dan a tough fight in his first match back, taking him the distance over 10 hard rounds, but Dan still pulled out a unanimous victory. This showed "Papa" Joe that Dan still had it. His fans never doubted it.
After knocking out Ricky Stackhouse in the fall of that year, Daszkiewicz lined up the shot Dan had been waiting for his entire career…a shot at a world title against the undefeated Chris Eubank. Like Schommer, Eubank had never lost a fight; and it would be a battle of unbeatens. Cedric Kushner was the promoter and it would be held on October 15, 1994 in South Africa. Schommer trained hard and came ready to fight. As the thousands in attendance came prepared to watch Eubank record another impressive victory, Schommer had other plans, and was not intimidated by the Champion or his reputation, as he knocked out the champ's front teeth in the 4th round and easily took the first half of the fight in the eyes of most watching. Eubank began to wake up in the latter half of the fight, recognizing the fact that his American adversary was about to pull off the unthinkable, but not before Schommer put together another string of impressive rounds. When it was over, the crowds, the television broadcasters, and those watching from at home, all thought Eubank had lost his title, only to hear the verdict read as just the opposite. Eubank looked as surprised as everyone else, holding a towel to stop the blood from his mouth. Experts called it the "robbery of the year". Schommer called it the end of the line, as he lost his lust for the game and never looked back, officially ending his career at 30-1-1 (19 KO's).

According to Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame record books, Dan Schommer ranks among the all-time state greats, and we have indeed produced many. He is the 2nd winningest Minnesota fighter during the decade of the 1980's with 25 victories. He is also tied with Jimmy Delaney, Leo Kossick, Pat O'Connor, and Matt Vanda at #6 all-time for the longest streak before suffering a first defeat, at 31 matches.

It's been 19 years since the man who was the pride of Northeast Minneapolis last laced up his gloves. 19 years since his fans shouted from the front rows of both rings and television sets alike for the man they called, "Dangerous". And perhaps the nickname was fitting. It was "dangerous" to one's health to be in the ring with him. It was "dangerous" for one's voice to be one of his many fans cheering and shouting for his snake-like left to come scorching through the air on the nights of old. And he came "dangerously" close to becoming a world champion that fateful day 19 years ago. Tonight he will be "dangerous" one last time; "dangerous" to our heart strings as we welcome him into the annals of time, the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame. Welcome home Danny.