Johnny Tapia Battles In Chicago On Sept. 16

22.08.05 – Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, home of THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated are proud to announce the Chicagoland debut of legendary boxing warrior Johnny Tapia on Mexican Independence weekend as he headlines an action packed, internationally televised, Solo Boxeo de Miller event at the Aragon Ballroom on Friday, September 16th. Tickets, starting at $27, are available now by calling 312-226-5800 or through Ticketmaster..

With a Hall of Fame career spanning seventeen years including wins over world champions and contenders including Hugo Soto, Danny Romero, Carlos Hernandez, Jorge Julio, Cesar Soto, Manuel Medina and Carlos Contereas and known for his blood and guts style of boxing, Johnny Tapia. 55-4-2 (28KO’s) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has become one of the most popular fighters in the world. Fights fans all across the United States have packed arenas to witness his all-action style of boxing.

Currently ranked # 6 by the WBO and # 13 by the WBA, Tapia is looking to advance to another title shot in the very near future. His last bout, an internationally televised brutal battle with Frankie Archuleta on April 15, 2005, saw Tapia avenge an earlier loss to the younger, physically stronger Archuleta. Despite a closed left eye, Tapia would gut out a ten round decision, closing the show in championship style by sweeping the last three rounds.

Hot bantamweight prospect, Raul “The Cobra” Martinez, 9-0 (6KO’S) of San Antonio, TX will be featured in the eight round CO-main event. Lightning fast Martinez, promoted by Kathy Duva’s Main Events, has quickly turned heads in the national press with his recent appearances on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. In his most recent bout, the 23 year old, two time U.S. National Amateur Champion and 2004 Olympic Team quarterfinalist, won a unanimous decision over Benito Abraham before a huge hometown crowd in San Antonio. Prior to that, Martinez opened the Main Events/ESPN PPV on April 23rd of this year beating Jose Alfredo Tirado at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

More information, including a terrific undercard will be announced later this week. The Aragon Ballroom is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago at 1106 W. Lawrence Avenue. Doors on fight night will open at 6pm, with the first bell at 7pm. For further directions to the Aragon Ballroom, please visit their website at www.aragon.com