10.01.04 – Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk: On Wednesday January 28, 2004, Houston Middleweight Chase “White Tiger” Shields will put 12-0 (8 KOs) Undefeated record on the line to vie for The Miller Lite Texas title Belt against Antonio Garcia 14-18 (4 KOs), of Mexico in an eight-round bout. The former Texas Southern University running back has generated a significant following in the Houston area for his brawling style. Whether he’ll be able to do that as he tries to ascend the middleweight ranks is anybodies guess, but he’s definitely worth the price of admission.
If that weren’t enough, Featherweight brawler Jose “Beto” Barnica 5-0 (4 KOs) will also be featured on the under-card with an opponent yet to be named. This warrior is the Featherweight version of Arturo Gatti. In fact, in the opinion of many ringsiders, this fighter participated in the greatest four rounder ever in boxing. After going down 3 times he was able to mount the type of comeback only seen in movies to knock out his opponent. Only those who have seen him fight know what I’m talking about! So if you haven’t seen him fight and you’re in the Houston area, now’s your chance!
Rounding out the card will be Houston middleweight David Zaragoza, 1-0 (1 KO). He’ll be facing Tracey Wright, 0-3, of Little Rock, AR. And finally Super Middleweight Carlos De Leon Jr., 8-0-1 (7 KOs), son of former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Carlos De Leon, will fight an opponent yet to be determined.
The event will be held in a 2,000-seat circus tent outside the Hooters Clear Lake location. Hooters is located off 45 South, near NASA at 20790 Gulf Freeway. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the first bout will start at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for ringside. General admission tickets are available at all 10 Houston-area Hooters locations and ringside tickets can be purchased by calling Browning Boxing at 713-426-5400 or at www.browningboxing.com. As if that weren’t enough to bring you out to the fights, the card will also feature live music and a bikini contest that will be judged by a panel of local celebrities! So come out for a great night of boxing, music, hot wings and a bikini contest! What more could you ask for?
Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk
Contributing Writer & Photographer