CHICAGO, IL (December 21, 2010) Chicago’s WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT professional boxing series kicks off the New Year with a bang in its 15th installment as former WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz returns to battle in the main event on Friday, January 28th at the UIC Pavilion. Presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, advance tickets starting at $31 are available through the 8 Count Productions office (312-226-5800), Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) and the UIC Pavilion box office (312-413-5740)..
“This event represents 8 Count Productions’ thirteenth year promoting monthly boxing shows in Chicago . We’re honored that Chicagoland sports fans have seen fit to support us throughout the years” said Pesoli.
“David Diaz truly exemplifies the toughness and warrior spirit of Chicago boxing and has for many years and we’re very proud to have him return to action on this card.”
“With David in the main event and an outstanding undercard featuring Andrzej Fonfara, Carlos Molina, Jaime Herrera, Achour Esho, Genaro Mendez, Ramiro Carrillo and the two terrific Russian prospects Aslanbek Kozaev and Anton Novikov, it’s a very high quality card for the ticket price.”
Diaz, 35-3-1 (17KO’s), is returning to the ring following a hard fought battle with current WBC Lightweight Champion Humberto Soto on March 13, 2010 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. Fought in front of a crowd of over 51,000 with millions more watching around the world, Soto and Diaz battled for twelve championship rounds with Soto being awarded the vacant WBC title by unanimous decision.
The Soto/Diaz battle was the chief undercard support to the WBO Welterweight Championship bout between boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.
In his last Chicago bout, Diaz thrilled the huge crowd at the UIC Pavilion on September 26, 2009 with a sensational performance against former world champion Jesus Chavez, taking a ten round decision.
Prior to the Chavez win, Diaz battled Pacquiao on June 28, 2008 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas . Although troubled by Pacquiao’s speed throughout the bout, Diaz displayed uncommon valor as he pressed forward over nine rounds before being stopped.
On August 4, 2007, Diaz gave Chicago ’s sports fans the finest night of boxing in many years, defeating three-time world champion and boxing legend Erik Morales at the Allstate Arena in front of over 10,000 fans. Despite being knocked down early in the bout and down on points in the first half, Diaz rallied to victory in the championship rounds.
Further information about Diaz’s ten round lightweight bout will be announced shortly. He is promoted by Top Rank Incorporated.
Light heavyweight prospect Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara, 15-2-0 (6KO’s) is coming off his career best performance, a brutal twenty three second knockout of Anthony Doughty on November 19th in front of a huge legion of Polish fans at the UIC Pavilion. Fonfara is scheduled to be featured in a ten round tilt.
“King” Carlos Molina, 17-4-0 (5KO’s), returns home to Chicago for the first time in two years in an eight round welterweight bout. In his last outing, Molina won a twelve round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Danny Perez on June 5, 2009, running his current winning streak to nine, including wins over such notables as Jailer Berrio, Alexis Camacho, Ed Paredes, Donald Camarena and Luciano Perez.
Sensational welterweight prospect Jaime “The Truth” Herrera, 5-0-0 (3KO’s) will once again battle in front of a very large crowd of supporters as he returns to the ring. The 21 year Herrera has fought all five of his pro bouts at the UIC Pavilion, most recently looking very sharp taking a six round unanimous decision over experienced veteran Guadalupe Diaz.
Also seeing action at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15 is hard hitting southpaw junior welterweight Genaro Mendez, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), in a scheduled four rounder. Mendez has impressed the UIC boxing crowd in his first three pro bouts, finishing Clifford McPherson in the third round on November 19th.
Former amateur standout Ramiro Carrillo, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), will also return to action in a four round bout. The 20 year old Chicago junior welterweight wasted no time on November 19th with a first round knockout of Matt Ellis at the UIC Pavilion.
Hard hitting welterweight and Chicago area native Achour Esho, 9-0-0 (6KO’s) will also battle at the UIC Pavilion for the first time in over a year. Known for his highlight reel knockouts, Esho stopped Alexander Tousignant on January 29, 2010 in his last Chicago appearance. He is scheduled for a six round bout at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15.
Rounding out the card, outstanding undefeated Russian prospects, junior welterweight Aslanbek Kozaev, 13-0-0 (5KO’s) and welterweight Anton Novikov, 18-0-0 (6KO’s), are scheduled in separate six round bouts.
More information on this exciting evening of action packed professional boxing 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