Sensational super middleweight prospect Daniel “THE GOLDEN CHILD” Jacobs will face Nicaraguan veteran Jose “TERRIBLE” Varela in the ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS co-main on Friday, April 24th at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Presented by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, tickets for ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, starting at $31, can be purchased through Ticketmaster..
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7:30pm with the first bell at 8:30pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 N. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine in the downtown West Loop area of Chicago.
The 22 year old Brooklyn, New York raised Jacobs, 14-0 (13KO’s), has quickly made an impact as an outstanding prospect since turning professional in December 2007. With his fast, powerful hands, Jacobs has stopped nine of his opponents in the first round.
This will be Jacobs’ second trip to Chicago, the former Two-Time National Golden Gloves Champion and U.S. Amateur Champion previously knocking out Hector Lopez in the first round on January 25, 2008 at Cicero Stadium in his second pro bout.
The 31 year old Varela, now living in Los Angeles, has faced numerous highly regarded prospects and contenders including Edison Miranda, Joel Julio, Richard Gutierrez and Marco Antonio Rubio. His biggest win was over former world title challenger Manny “SHOTGUN” Gomez by twelve round unanimous decision on October 13, 2006.
Said Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING. “Jacobs is amongst the finest prospects in boxing and we’re thrilled to bring him back. For boxing fans in Chicago, this is truly a must-see fighter.”
Headlining the outstanding ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS card is a terrific twelve round junior featherweight match up between El Paso’s Antonio Escalante and Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. from Staten Island, NY.
On the undercard, making his Chicago debut is 2008 U.S. Olympian Deontay “THE BRONZE BOMBER” Wilder, the only United States Boxing Medalist from the 2008 Beijing Games, who will see action in a four round bout. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama heavyweight has won his first three fights in dramatic knockout fashion and is thought by many to be THE American heavyweight of the future. The 23 year old Wilder, 3-0 (3 KO’s), is trained by 1984 U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Welterweight Champion Mark Breland.
Also returning to the ring will be Chicago favorite, Ivan Popoca. The junior welterweight, 9-0-1 (7 KO’s), has thrilled the Windy City fight fans with his heavy hands and aggressive style. In his last bout, he won an early career defining battle over Daniel Garcia by unanimous decision in a six round bout.
Also on the card will be newcomer, 2008 Chicago Golden Gloves champion Noe Perez, who will see action in a four round junior lightweight bout. The younger brother of “blood and guts” warrior, Luciano Perez, Noe won his first bout on December 12th, stopping Elijah Linder in the second round at Cicero Stadium.
Rounding out the undercard will be pro debuters; junior welterweight Ramiro Carillo and Nigerian heavyweight Enobong Umohette who each will see action in four round bouts.
Fight Night At The Rio Event Center Friday April 24
Antonio Leonard Productions once again presents a night of spectacular boxing at the Rio Events Center located on 6400 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas, this Friday, April 24th.
Kicking off the night’s event is power punching sensation UNDEFEATED heavyweight Eugene ´Mean Gene¡ Hill. Hill hailing out of Dickinson, Texas has earned a record of 16-0, 14KO’s, will take on Zack Page 16-23-2, (5KO’s) out of Warren Ohio. ´ Hill punches with such snap each punch gives the sound effect of a gunshot don’t take your eyes off this one he is the REAL deal¡ – promoter Antonio Leonard.
UNDEFEATED middleweight prospect and Houston native Cornelius White 8-0, 7KO’s, will go toe-to-toe with Shannon Miller 24-42-8, (18KO’s) of Columbus, Mississippi, as he continues to step up his game. White brings a tremendous amount skill, talent and action whenever he enters the ring. You can bank on seeing nothing less than his best come Friday night. ´I train hard, I come to win, losing is not an option for me, I know what it takes to be at the top so watch out for me¡-Cornelius White.
Following the nights boxing action will be live entertainment. Undercard and scheduled rounds to be announced.
DANIEL PONCE DE LEON RETURNS ON APRIL 25TH
On Saturday, April 25th, HBO Plus’ “Next Boxing Generation” is pleased to feature the return of Former World Junior Featherweight Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon to the series as he continues on his road back to the title in a pivotal 12 round matchup for the vacant NABF Featherweight Championship against hard-hitting Marlon Aguilar at the Coliseo Miguel Canto on the sunny island of Cozumel in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
In the April 25th co-feature, unbeaten junior bantamweight Jose Salgado the pride of Cozumel puts his unblemished record on the line against Darwin Zamora of Matagalpa, Nicaragua in a 12 round WBC Youth Championship bout.
This night of world-class professional boxing, which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Marquez Boxing Promotions, Producciones Deportivas de Ricardo Maldonado Jr., sponsored by Tecate and the Cozumel Board of Tourism will air live on the HBO Plus service in Latin America beginning at 9:00pm local time. The doors open at 6:45pm and the first bout begins at 7:00pm local time.
Tickets priced at $1,200, $1,000, $900, $700, $400, $300, $150 and $80 pesos, are on sale now and can be purchased at Lugar Mini super at15 avenida sur between Adolfo Rosado Salas and 3 sur or by calling 52 987 8722167. Tickets can also be purchased at Lugar Palacio Municipial, located at 13 avenida sur and Rafael E. Melgar or by calling 52 9878007421.
“Next Boxing Generation”, which was launched in August of 2008 by Golden Boy Promotions in association with HBO Latin America Group, features the top up and coming Latin American fighters in boxing today in exciting bouts that will appeal to fans across all demographics.
Perhaps the hardest puncher in the world, pound for pound, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon (35-2, 31 KO’s) is working his way back up the ladder in one of boxing’s most talent rich divisions and he’s doing it with his amazing power and improving boxing skills. A Former WBO World Junior Featherweight Champion who defended his crown six times before losing it to Juan Manuel Lopez in June of 2008, De Leon returned to the ring in style last November on “Next Boxing Generation” with a fourth round knockout of Damian David Marchiano and he hopes to match that success on April 25th.
Just 21 years old, Managua, Nicaragua’s Marlon “Rata” Aguilar (19-6-1, 14 KO’s) has an aggressive style that translates to the way he has handled his career thus far, as he has fought nine times each in 2006 and 2007, six times in 2008 and three times already this year, making him one of the most active young fighters in boxing today. In his last bout, Aguilar halted Antonio Galindo in four rounds on March 25th.
Boxing insiders had a pretty good idea that 19-year-old Jose Salgado (16-0, 14 KO’s) had talent the first time they saw him, yet despite his success in taking the WBC Youth title in 2008 and defending it four times, people didn’t realize how good he really was until December 20, 2008. That night, Salgado defeated Former World Champion (and 86-fight veteran) Melchor Cob Castro via unanimous decision. That victory earned him the WBC CABOFE title and has propelled him into the upcoming televised bout against Darwin Zamora (14-1-1, 12 KO’s).