O’Neil Bell Moves To Heavyweight; Molina vs Camarena on Aug 8

HOLLYWOOD, FL, July 28 – One of the biggest punchers in boxing today, as well as one of its most exciting practitioners, former undisputed cruiserweight world champion O’Neil Bell is ready to introduce some of that excitement into a new division – heavyweight..

“The heavyweight division needs a savior, and I’m applying for the job,” said Bell, 26-3-1 with 24 knockouts. “I hate to say it, but the division is a mess and it needs cleaning up by a dynamic and exciting fighter like myself.”

“This is great news for O’Neil Bell and for all of boxing,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing, Bell’s promoter. “Not only will O’Neil get to shine at a weight where he is comfortable at, but the world will finally get to see him at his best – putting on exciting fights and knocking people out in the sport’s glamour division.”

World cruiserweight champion for almost two years, the 33-year old Jamaica native has thrilled fight fans ever since his pro debut in 1998, and over the course of his decade in the game, he has knocked out the likes of Jean-Marc Mormeck, Ezra Sellers, Kelvin Davis, Sebastiaan Rothmann, and Arthur Williams. But now he believes it’s time for him to pursue bigger game.

“Making the cruiserweight limit has sapped me of my strength over my last couple of fights and took away what got me to the world championship in the first place,” said Bell. “Now at heavyweight, I feel better than ever and I can’t wait to smash everyone in my path on the way to the championship. This is the most excited I’ve ever been in my career, and that’s bad news for whoever gets in my way.”

CARLOS MOLINA VS. DONALD CAMARENA SET FOR CO-MAIN IN CHICAGO AT HARD EIGHT

ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE

CHICAGO, IL (July 28, 2008) Chicagoan Carlos Molina will battle Denverʼs Donald Camarena in the co-main at HARD EIGHT, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing on August 8th at Chicagoʼs Aragon Ballroom.

HARD EIGHT, broadcast live on ESPN2, is presented by Dominic Pesoliʼs 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, along with Chicago-based A-TEAM Management. Advance tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com or 312-559-1212. Doors for this event will open at 6:00pm with the first bell at 7:00pm.

The Molina/Camarena eight round welterweight bout supports the previously announced Tavoris Cloud/Julio Gonzalez twelve round light heavyweight clash for the #1 IBF Mandatory Challenger position in the rankings.

The 25 year old Molina, 11-4-1 (4KOʼs) is riding a three bout winning streak, recently taking a ten round unanimous decision from Cedrick Armstrong at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington on June 28th. In his most recent Chicagoland bout, Molina outboxed veteran Luciano Perez en route to an eight round decision win on April 11th at The Odeum in Villa Park.

Molinaʼs five year professional career also includes two six round battles with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a draw on December 16, 2005 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, followed up by a very close majority decision loss on February 18, 2006 in Las Vegas. Molina also battled highly regarded, undefeated prospect Mike Alvarado over eight rounds February 16, 2007 in Chicago, losing a very close majority decision.

Camarena, 19-4 (9KOʼs) is coming off an eight round decision win over former world title challenger Oscar Leon on June 21st in Denver. Since turning pro six years ago, the rugged veteran has suffered his only losses in the last four years to world title holders Paulie Malignaggi and Timothy Bradley along with world title challenger Herman Ngoudjo, all of which were hard fought distance bouts.

The full undercard for HARD EIGHT will be announced shortly. The Master of Ceremonies will be nationally recognized ring announcer, Thomas Treiber.

8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 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