CHICAGO, IL (July 27, 2010) 8 Count Productions in association with Vega Boxing have announced that ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will return to Chicago on Friday, August 6th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion. “We’re very excited to work with Denis Benoit and the Vega Boxing team and our friends at ESPN to bring an outstanding event to the sports fans of Chicago on Friday, August 6th. We originally had an action packed event planned on that night for our Windy City Fight Night series and now the fans will get more world class boxing for the same price” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions..
Headlining ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will be a ten round welterweight showdown between undefeated prospect “King” James De La Rosa of Harlingen , Texas and Mexican veteran Michel “EL Bravo” Rosales.
The 22 year old De La Rosa, 20-0-0 (12KO’s), has become one of the most talked about prospects in the talent rich welterweight division and is coming off a ten round shutout unanimous decision victory of Lenin Arroyo on October 31, 2009 in Las Vegas.
In his first network appearance on October 3, 2008, De La Rosa won a sensational ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Tim Coleman in Salisbury, MD, in a bout broadcast on Showtime.
Heavy handed Rosales, 28-3-0 (23KO’s), is currently riding a five bout winning streak, most recently battling towards a twelve round unanimous decision over Amilcar Melian on June 26th in Sinaloa, Mexico, for the WBC FECARBOX junior middleweight title.
The 27 year old Rosales’ six year career includes numerous televised battles with world class fighters including Mike Alvarado, Mark Melligen, Saul Alvarez, Jesus Soto Karass, Americo Santos, Gilbert Venegas and Dairo Esales.
Rosales’ bout with Soto-Karass at Cicero Stadium, just outside of Chicago , on October 20, 2006 was an outstanding battle, broadcast on Solo Boxeo. Although stopped in the 11th round, Rosales showed true warrior spirit throughout the “Fight of the Year” candidate.
The co-main event of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights brings a ten round junior welterweight battle between Venezuela ’s Patrick “EL Elegante” Lopez and Prenice Brewer of Cleveland , Ohio .
Riding a four bout winning streak, southpaw Lopez brings a record of 19-2-0 (11KO’s) into the bout with Brewer.
Both of Lopez’s two starts in 2010 resulted in eight round shutout victories, over former world title challenger John Brown on January 22nd and Mexican veteran Cristian Favela on April 23rd, both in Ontario , California .
The 22 year old Brewer is undefeated since turning professional in 2006, sporting a record of 15-0-1 with six knockouts. The highly regarded prospect is coming off a terrific six round decision over veteran Chris Fernandez on March 19th, a bout which was broadcast on ESPN2.
Previously announced for August 6th is a special attraction eight round heavyweight bout between local fan favorite and heavyweight contender Mike Mollo and Indianapolis’ Franklin Lawrence.
Mollo returned to action in Chicago on March 26th as he dominated veteran Billy Zumbrun over eight rounds of battle, raising his record to 20-3-0 with twelve stoppages.
Lawrence, 12-2-2 (7KO’s), was undefeated for three years prior to losing a very close, hard fought ten round decision to former heavyweight world champion Oliver McCall on August 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Chicago prospects featured on the undercard appearing in separate bouts include junior welterweight Adrian Granados, welterweight Jaime Herrera, lightweight Antonio Avila, welterweight Genaro Mendez, light heavyweight Mike Jimenez and pro debuting junior welterweight Antonio Canas.
Advance tickets, starting at $31 are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.