08.02.07 – CICERO, Ill. — Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Tavoris Cloud is making final preparations for his return to the ring against veteran Aaron Norwood on Friday February 16th at FEBRUARY FURY, another packed evening of world class professional boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions. Tickets starting at $30 are on sale in advance by calling 312-226-5800..
FEBRUARY FURY is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, along with TCF Bank and TECATE Beer.
Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
The Tallahassee, Florida native, Cloud has quickly built a national reputation as one of the most feared young light heavyweights in boxing. Using a vast array of boxing skills which belie his youth combined with outstanding power, Cloud has built his record to 13-0 with twelve knockouts since turning pro two years ago.
In his last outing on November 10th, Cloud stunned a packed house at Cicero Stadium with an electrifying fourth round knockout of Douglas LaFontsee. Norwood from Hattiesburg, MS sports a record of 22-7-2 (11KO’s).
Said Cloud after finishing up a recent sparring session in Miami, “I haven’t seen Norwood fight but I prepare to be at my very best for each fight. At this point it’s important that I concentrate on what I need to do when the bell rings.”
Speaking about his popular reputation for brutal knockouts in the last year in Chicago, Cloud said, “I don’t look for knockouts. I’m skilled enough to outbox many of the guys I face but I also know how to close the show when it’s time.”
Discussing the upcoming year, Cloud said, “I’m looking forward to stepping up the competition and showing the boxing world what I can do. I plan on being in the top ten at 175 by the end of 2007.”
For his last words about his bout next Friday night, Cloud said, “Folks know when it’s 9pm how it goes down. I’m bringing the fans up there some heat to break the winter chill.”
Said Pesoli, “Tavoris has all the tools to be a world champion. This is going to be a big year for him. We look forward to showing the world what Chicagoland fight fans already know.”
The full FEBRUARY FURY card is as follows:
Giovanni Segura vs. Jesus Martinez, twelve rounds, flyweights
NABF Flyweight Title
Tavoris Cloud vs. Aaron Norwood, eight rounds, light heavyweights
Mike Alvarado vs. Carlos Molina, eight rounds, junior welterweights
Donovan George vs. Kendall Gould, six rounds, super middleweights
Jose Manuel Ortega vs. Justin Danforth, six rounds, junior welterweights
Carl Davis vs. Innocent Otukuwu, six rounds, heavyweights
James Countryman vs. TBA, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. TBA, four rounds, junior middleweights
More information on this outstanding card will be announced shortly.
The Master of Ceremonies for this event will be the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing, Lupe Contreras.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1997 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com