14.12.04 – A huge crowd packed Chicago’s famed Aragon Ballroom this past Friday night as junior welterweights David Diaz and Al “SPEEDY” Gonzales posted huge wins on Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions “THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING” event as they both now prepare to head to a Showtime televised card featuring each in terrific matchups as they climb up the ladder of world ranked fighters..
Currently, rated # 2 in the world by the WBO, huge fan favorite David Diaz, 26-0 (15KO’s) took a 10th round TKO win over heavy handed Columbian veteran Jaime Rangel, 30-7-1- (25KO’s) in a fight that had the large crowd on their feet throughout the fight cheering on the nonstop action of both warriors. Diaz next faces junior welterweight contender Kendall Holt, 17-1 (11KO’s) of Newark, New Jersey on the Showtime televised card on February 4th.
Speaking about the bout afterwards, David stated, ” he was very tough, took a good punch and hit pretty hard, I made some mistakes early on by rushing in and got caught a few times.”
Talking about fighting at the Aragon Ballroom, Diaz continued, “8 Count Productions did a great job with this show, the venue is terrific and the huge crowd really had a great time. I hope they do many more shows there, its perfect for the Chicago fight fans.”
Asked about his opposition on February 4th, Diaz said. “I heard that he was talking about beating me the last time he was in town and he got knocked out by a guy he was supposed to beat. Talk is easy, we’ll touch gloves on February 4th and we’ll decide it then. I’m in the best shape and fighting the best of my career so I feel that I have a pretty good shot against anyone I face.”
In the co-main event, Chicagoan Al “SPEEDY” Gonzales, 16-1-1 (7KO’s) won a ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Roberto Ortega, 17-12-2 (13KO’s) by scores of 97-92, 99-90 and 96-93. Gonzales next heads to the Showtime televised card on February 4th against junior welterweight contender Oscar Diaz, 17-1 of San Antonio, Texas.
Discussing his bout with Ortega, “SPEEDY” said, He held a lot because he didn’t want to get hit, even after the ref deducted points. He was feeling the heat in the middle rounds and just went into the survivor mode. Its too bad because the fans deserved a better fight.”
Asked about his next bout with Oscar Diaz, “SPEEDY” said, I’ve heard he’s a good, strong boxer who comes to fight, he’s got a very good record and has beaten some good guys.”
Finally “SPEEDY” said, “I saw again where (Paulie) Malignaggi’s promoter mentioned my name in an article on Boxing Talk about us fighting. I wish he would stop doing that because he’s only trying to gain false credibility for Paulie. They’ll never fight me. My offer to them was to go to New York City and fight in the promoter’s office if that’s what they wanted. They even mentioned Bojado and Leija as possible future opponents, that’s just crazy talk. Bojado would beat him easily and Jesse James would destroy him. Now he’s got bad hands, its always gonna be something to keep us from fighting but plenty of talk about fighting true junior welter contenders like me and others, but talk is easy, true boxing never is.”
Other local boxers posting wins on “THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING” include, Luciano “El Gallo Bravo” Perez, Mike Nevitt, Ivan Rodriguez and Jorge Gonzalez in his pro debut.
The next installment of “THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING”, promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions in association with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite takes place on Friday, Janaury 14th. Co-headlining the huge card is the return to the ring of Chicagoland fan favorite and fast rising prospect, junior middleweight “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez, 14-1 (9KO’s) in a SOLO BOXEO/Telefutura international broadcast event from the Aragon Ballroom. Further details will be announced shortly, but tickets are now on sale in advance by calling 312-226-5800.
Said Miguel, “The energy was electric and the huge crowd was terrific on Friday night at the Aragon, I can’t wait to fight there.”
Also featured on the card in the main event is featherweight contender, Ricardo Castillo, 22-2, who will accompanied to the ring by his brother, junior welterweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo who will also be available for pictures and autographs.
Junior middleweight “CLASSY” Freddie Cuevas, 24-7-1 (16KO’s) will appear in the main event of a SOLO BOXEO/Telefutura show against Danny Perez on Friday, January 7th at a site to be determined. Cuevas is looking to obtain a title shot in 2005 and hopes a win over rugged, battle tested Perez will lead to bigger things.