Boxing News: Andaluz vs Williams, Julio Zarate in IBF Title Eliminator This Friday

CHICAGO, IL (August 27, 2008) Undefeated lightweight prospects Gadiel Andaluz and Danny Williams will square off in a special feature attraction bout just added to “LIBERTY”, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING..

“It’s a great fight for the fans. We’ve seen Gadiel fight three times on our shows and now our fans get to see him against another very solid prospect in Danny Williams. Both guys are 3-0 and both were terrific amateurs, Andaluz in Puerto Rico and Williams here in the United States ” said Pesoli. Williams was the 2004 National Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion.

Tickets for “ LIBERTY ”, presented along with Budweiser, TCF Bank, Aero Mexico, Jack Daniels, EL Jimador Tequila, 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.

Puerto Rican sensation Andaluz, 3-0 (2KO’s), is coming off a crowd pleasing decision win over Jose Mandujano on May 9th at Cicero Stadium, site of all of his three bouts.

Known for his crowd pleasing, aggressive style, Andaluz has become a fan favorite amongst the action oriented boxing fans at Cicero Stadium. The 25 year old made his professional debut on January 25th of this year stopping veteran Marsay Buggs in the third round.

The full bout against Buggs can be viewed on YouTube at this link, Andaluz vs. Buggs, January 25th 2008

The 24 year old Williams, 3-0 (3KO’s), turned professional in 2005 and has stopped each of his first three opponents. The heavy handed, former amateur standout is returning to the ring after a two year absence.

Headlining the “ LIBERTY ” card is 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 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) to the ring. 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 against Denver, Colordo’s Satya Williams, 2-0 (1KO) 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, 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 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 this card 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.

JULIO ZARATE IN IBF TITLE ELIMINATOR BOUT THIS FRIDAY FACES JEFFREY MATHEBULA IN SOUTH AFRICA

LOS ANGELES , CA (August 27, 2008) Julio “LA SOMBRA” Zarate is in South Africa this week to face Jeffrey “THE MONGOOSE” Mathebula in an IBF Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator bout this Friday night, August 29th. The Zarate/Mathebula twelve round bout headlines the Branco Sports Productions card at the Carousel Casino just outside of Pretoria in Hammanskraal.

Zarate brings a record of 26-4-1 (16KO’s) into battle, while Mathebula sports a record of 21-1-2 (12KO’s). Zarate is ranked #3 by the IBF and #6 by the WBA, while Mathebula is ranked # 9 by the IBF. Mathebula is also world ranked #9 at featherweight by the WBC and WBA.

Said manager Frank Espinoza, President of the Espinoza Boxing Club, “It’s a great opportunity for Julio. We’ve talked about it and it’s really a “do or die” situation as he’s not getting any younger. But he’s trained hard in Mexico , he’s in terrific shape and very confident of victory.”

Riding a five bout winning streak, the 33 year old Zarate is keenly aware of the importance of this fight. “I’m grateful for the opportunity. It was a long flight over here from Mexico but I feel terrific. We had a great camp in Mexico , training and sparring with Juan Carlos Salgado,” said Zarate.

A win over Mathebula on Friday night will ensure a title shot at Canada ’s Steve Molitor, the IBF Super Bantamweight Champion who is defending his world title against Ceferino Dario Labarda on the same day in Ontario , Canada .

Continued Zarate, “It’s convenient that he’s fighting on the same day, hopefully we’ll both win and square off in the near future for the title. No problem for me to fight in Canada , just like coming here to South Africa —the ring is the same size and the task is still the same.”

About Mathebula, Zarate said, “He’s a tough fighter who has not lost in about five years, but he’s fought all of his fights here in South Africa . I’m sure he’ll have a lot of fans on his side, but it’s just me and him in the ring when the bell sounds.”

Mathebula will be coming down in weight having fought his last five fights at the featherweight limit while Zarate is staying at super bantamweight, the highest division he has fought at in his eleven year career.

Zarate has won his last five bouts, the last three by knockout, most recently stopping Vernie Torres in the fourth round at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario , California on November 2, 2007.

In his last bout Mathebula stopped Yoshinori Miyata in the eighth round on February 22nd for the WBC International Featherweight Title at the Carousel Casino.

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