Windy City Fight Night 12 Marches Into Uic Pavilion On Friday, September 17th

CHICAGO, IL ( August 24, 2010) 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, has announced details of WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 12, a sensational night of action packed, world class professional boxing set for Friday, September 17th at the UIC Pavilion.

Advance tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 12, 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)..

Headlining WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 12 is a ten round middleweight shootout between Ireland ’s Andy Lee and Chicago ’s Michael Walker.

Fighting out of Detroit , Michigan under the tutelage of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, the 26 year old Lee has amassed a record of 22-1-0 with sixteen knockouts since turning professional four years ago.

Lee is currently riding a seven bout winning streak, most recently brutally knocking out James Cook in the fifth round on July 30th in Miami , Oklahoma .

Lee is currently world ranked #10 by the World Boxing Association. This will be Lee’s second bout in Chicago having knocked out James Morrow in the first round on October 2, 2007.

Chicago born and raised Walker has been a staple of the Chicagoland boxing scene for the last six years, compiling a record of 19-4-2 (12KO’s).

Over the course of his professional career Walker has faced numerous world class fighters and contenders including Antwun Echols, Daniel Jacobs, David Lopez, Fernando Guerrero, Dante Craig and Derrick Findley.

The co-main event will feature the return to the ring of Chicago ’s Mexican Warrior, Luciano “EL Michoacano” Perez taking on undefeated Russian junior middleweight Anton “The Pick Hammer” Novikov in a scheduled eight round tilt.

The 32 year old Perez, 17-10-1 (15KO’s), has been a constant presence in the squared circle for the last seven years, always in compelling “blood and guts” battles, having earned the respect of fight fans across the country.

His career reads like a who’s who of world champions and contenders throughout boxing, including; Carlos Baldomir, Mike Jones, Erislandy Lara, Jesus Soto-Karass and Alphonso Gomez.

On March 27, 2009, Perez knocked out cross-town rival Miguel Hernandez in the fifth round at the inaugural WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT at the UIC Pavilion.

Hailing from Kopeysk , Russia , the 22 year old Novikov, 16-0-0 (6KOs). will be fighting for the first time in the United States . On February 28, 2009 Novikov defeated Isaac Selom by ten round unanimous decision to earn the WBC Youth World Middleweight Title, which he has defended twice.

Novikov is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Eduard Romanchuk on April 24th in Krasnoyarsk , Russian.

In a special attraction six round bout featuring undefeated welterweight prospects Aslanbek Kozaev, 11-0-0 (4KO’s), of Vladikavkaz, Russia and Michigan City, Indiana’s Marcus Thompkins, 5-0-1 (2KO’s).

The 22 year old Kozaev won the WBC Youth Intercontinental Welterweight Title on October 24, 2009, winning a ten round unanimous decision over Prince Doku Jr. in Vladikavkaz. Most recently Kozaev defended the title with a unanimous decision over Dan Nazareno Jr. on April 24th in Krasnoyarsk , Russia .

Thompkins is coming off an action packed six round draw against fellow undefeated Boyd Henley on May 29th at the UIC Pavilion. The draw with Henley was the 25 year old Thompkins’ first bout in Chicago .

Featured on the undercard at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 12 will be local fan favorites and newcomers; junior welterweight Adrian “EL Tigre ” Granados, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), super middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez, 1-0-0 (1KO), junior welterweight Antonio Canas, 1-0-0 (1KO) and middleweight Ramon Valenzuela, Jr. 1-0-0 (1KO), all of whom will be featured in separate bouts.

Also on the card will be junior middleweight prospect Donatas Bondarevas, 8-1-1 (2KO’s), of Kaunas, Lithuania and super feather Evgeny Gradovich, 4-0-0 (3KO’s) of Igrim, Russia, both of whom will be in six rounders.

Further information on these bouts will be announced shortly.

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.

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.

Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan “DA BOMB” George, junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, featherweight Jose Hernandez, welterweight Jaime Herrera and junior middleweight Luciano Perez.

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.

For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com