CHICAGO, IL (August 21, 2008) Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, presents “LIBERTY”, an evening of world class professional boxing celebrating Mexican Independence Day on Friday, September 19th at Cicero Stadium..
Tickets for “ LIBERTY ”, presented along with TCF Bank, Budweiser, Aero Mexico, Jack Daniels, Grossinger Auto Group, ABT Electronics and New York Jewelers, are on sale in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie . Doors for this event will open at 7pm with the first bell scheduled for 8pm.
Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “We’re very happy to work with the town of Cicero as part of their terrific celebration of Mexican Independence Day. The fans at Cicero Stadium are great boxing fans and we’ve put together an outstanding card for them on Friday, September 19th.
The “ LIBERTY ” card is headlined by an eight round junior welterweight bout between Sonora , Mexico ’s Ramon Montano and Bayamon , Puerto Rico native Mike Gonzalez.
The 26 year old Montano, now living in Las Vegas , NV , sports a record of 15-5-2 since turning professional five years ago. Most recently he battled then WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz on March 15th in Las Vegas , losing a hard fought majority decision. Other notable names on his record include world ranked Dmitriy Salita (DRAW-8) and Americo Santos (W-SD8).
The heavy handed Gonzalez, 10-4-1 (9KO’s) now based in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , splashed onto the local boxing scene three years ago and quickly ran off a string of eight wins, all by knockout.
Most recently Gonzalez has fought against some of the best prospects in boxing, losing hard fought battles to Jorge Teron and Joel Torres both in their hometown of New York City . In his last local fight, Gonzalez devastatingly knocked out Jaime Alvarado in April 2007 at the PAR-A-DICE Casino in East Peoria , IL .
The co-main event features the return of Chicago fan favorite Luciano “EL MICHOACAN” Perez taking on Puerto Rico ’s Devin Lopez in a junior middleweight bout.
Perez, 15-8-1 (13KO’s), returns to Cicero Stadium where he has fought successfully twice before, a third round knockout of John Vaughn in March 2007 and a SOLO BOXEO televised knockout of Carson Jones in February 2006.
Two years ago, Perez battled fellow Mexican Francisco Rincon at the Aragon Ballroom in one of Chicago’s most action packed fights in recent years. The blood filled war, featuring continuous power shots from both warriors, was won by Perez as he rallied to win the fight in the last two rounds.
In his last major bout, Perez battled former world champion Carlos Baldomir at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon , California , losing a highly disputed ten round majority decision which was also broadcast on SOLO BOXEO.
Lopez, now fighting out of Hammond , Indiana , brings a record of 7-3-1 (6KO’s). He had won three in a row before being stopped by Aaron Pryor Jr. earlier this year.
In a special feature attraction undefeated Chicago light heavyweight Gerald Taylor, 4-0-1 (2KO’s) will look to continue his winning ways in a scheduled six round bout. Taylor is coming off a four round unanimous decision win over previously undefeated Walter Foster on July 11th at the Aragon Ballroom.
Also on the card, 19 year old Noe Perez, younger brother of Luciano, will make his professional debut after a standout amateur career. The 2008 Chicago Golden Gloves champion will appear in a four round junior lightweight bout.
In a four round lightweight bout, Chicago based fighters Miguel Angel Figueroa and Jeff “THE BIG FROG” Curran will open the night’s proceedings.
More information on these bouts will be announced shortly.
The public weigh-in for “ LIBERTY ” will take place at TCF Bank/Melrose Park at 1440 W. North Ave. at 7pm on Thursday, September 18th..
LUIS RAMOS AND ABRAHAM LOPEZ FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES (August 21, 2008) Undefeated prospects Abraham Lopez and Luis Ramos will return to the ring in September, it was announced today by Frank Espinoza, President of the Espinoza Boxing Club.
Junior lightweight Lopez, 3-0 (2KO’s) returns to the ring on Friday, September 5th in a four round bout at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. The 20 year old Lopez is coming off a four round unanimous decision win over Cuauhtemoc Mendoza on July 25th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
The 19 year old Ramos, 6-0 (4KO’s) heads back to action on Friday, September 26th in a six round lightweight bout at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California on a night of world class boxing presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions.
With his exciting, aggressive style, Ramos has impressed boxing fans and media, particularly with his last performance, a fifth round ESPN2 televised knockout of Aaron Dominguez at the Sycuan Resort and Casino in EL Cajon, California on July 30th.
More information on both bouts will be announced shortly.
Said Espinoza, “It’s important to keep Abraham and Luis active and learning as they grow as professionals. I was very impressed by both of them in their last bouts and I’m looking forward to seeing them battle again in September.
I’ve gotten great responses from promoters, boxing writers and especially fans about both guys and hopefully the interest from all parties continues to increase.”
Continued Espinoza, “It’s a very busy time for us. We’ve got Julio Zarate’s IBF Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator on Friday,
August 29th against Jeffrey Mathebula in South Africa and we just announced Alex Valdez’s WBC Bantamweight Title Fight against champion Hozumi Hasegawa on Thursday, October 16th in Japan.
We’ll also have some news on our other young guys coming up in the very near future.”
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza is praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Espinoza also has managed retired former world champion Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and currently manages former world champion Julio “LA SOMBRA” Zarate along with world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina and Abraham Lopez.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com