07.03.06 – Chicagoland’s most popular boxer, 1996 Olympian David Diaz, (29-1-1, 16 KO’s) will face Silverio Ortiz, (16-8, 7 KO’s) of Merida, Mexico in a ten round lightweight bout which headlines MARCH MADNESS on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th at the Aragon Ballroom, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING..
The Diaz/Ortiz bout is part of the MARCH MADNESS, an outstanding evening of professional boxing presented by 8 Count Productions along with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite and TCF Bank which will be internationally televised by Telefutura’s Friday Night Fight series, SOLO BOXEO De Miller.
The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Avenue on the north side of Chicago. Doors for this event will open at 6pm, with the first bell scheduled for 7pm. Tickets starting at $25 are available in advance by calling 312-226-5800.
Said Pesoli about the main event, “We’re thrilled to have David back on our show. This is his first headlining fight in Chicagoland since his war with Jaime Rangel in December 2004 at the Aragon and he’s coming off a great fight with Ramazan Palyani two months ago. Ortiz is a very tough Mexican kid whose father was a champion in Mexico for many years. He recently beat Daniel Seda and I think David and him will make for a great fight.”
The co-main event features two welterweight prospects as Chicagoan Gilbert Venegas, (9-1-2, 6 KO’s) battles Mexican Francisco Rincon, (10-3, 5 KO’s) now fighting out of Dallas, Texas in a scheduled eight round bout.
Speaking about the co-main event Pesoli said, “This is a terrific matchup for both guys as it’s the toughest fight both have been in. They’ve both fought a high quality of opposition and each will need every measure of their skills and toughness to win this fight.”
In a special St. Patrick’s Day attraction, undefeated Chicagoland fan favorite and Illinois State Light Heavyweight Champion “IRISH” Mike Nevitt, (11-0, 5 KO’s) will appear in a six round bout.
The full bout lineup is
David Diaz vs. Silverio Ortiz Jr. ten rounds. lightweights
Gilbert Venegas vs. Francisco Rincon, eight rounds, welterweights
Tavrois Cloud vs. TBA, eight rounds, light heavyweights,
Mike Nevitt, vs. TBA, six rounds, light heavyweights
Jose Manuel Ortega vs. Gonzalo Bonilla, six rounds, junior welterweights
Rita Figueroa vs. Eva Lidia Silva, six rounds, lightweights
Barbaro Zepeda vs. Miguel Angel Figueroa, six rounds, featherweights
Wilton Honirio vs. TBA, four rounds, super featherweights
Concluded Pesoli, “St. Patrick’s Day is a huge event here in Chicago and we’re happy to be a part of the citywide celebration. Chicagoland fight fans have been very supportive to 8 Count Productions over the last eight years and our first three shows this year have drawn huge crowds. This event will be a great way for the fans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”
The Master of Ceremonies for this event will be the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing, Lupe Contreras.
More information on this event will be announced shortly. To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and the 6,000 square foot JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com