Sensational undefeated Russian prospects Antov Novikov and Aslanbek Kozaev have been added to WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15 on Friday, January 28th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.
Now based in Chicago, both Novikov and Kozaev will be returning to battle following their triumphant victories at the UIC Pavilion this past September in which they each made their North American debuts..
Welterweight Novikov has amassed a record of 18-0-0 (6KO’s), since turning professional in 2006. On September 17th, Novikov looked terrific as he battled Chicago’s Mexican warrior Luciano Perez over eight rounds towards a unanimous decision.
The 22 year old Novikov followed up the victory over Perez with a ten round unanimous decision over Ghanaian veteran Ishmael Tetteh on October 24th in Vladikavkaz, Russia, earning the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Junior Middleweight Title.
At WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15, Novikov will battle Escondido, California based Dashon Johnson, 11-3-3 (3KO’s) in an eight round welterweight bout. The 22 year old Johnson, known for his slick skills and hand speed is a staple of the highly regarded Southern California boxing scene and holds a win over former world title challenger Jason Papillion.
Junior welterweight Kozaev, 13-0-0 (5KO’s) will battle Tulare, California’s Hector “The Mongoose, Alatorre, 16-13-0 (5KO’s) in a scheduled six round tilt.
Last fighting in Chicago on September 17th, the 23 year old Kozaev won an outstanding six round decision over previously undefeated Marcus Thompkins in an action packed bout from start to finish.
Kozaev then also returned to his hometown of Vladikavkaz, Russia on October 24th where he scored a ninth round knockout of Brazil’s Joaquim Carneiro, winning the vacant WBC Youth World Welterweight Title.
Alatorre has fought twice previously in Chicago, battling heavy handed junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca in 2009 and former world champion Carlos Hernandez in 2008.
Against Popoca on June 26, 2009, Alatorre went to war from the opening bell as he and the undefeated Chicago native Popoca traded blistering power shots throughout the eight round war, won by unanimous decision by Popoca.
Facing Hernandez on August 15, 2008 in a bout broadcast on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo, Alatorre lost a very close, hard fought ten round split decision.
WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15 is headlined by a ten round lightweight battle between longtime Chicago fan favorite and former world champion David Diaz of Chicago, IL and “Red Hot” Robert Frankel of Denver, Colorado.
Other popular Chicago fighters on the card include light heavyweight Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara, crowd pleasing Mexican prospect, welterweight Jaime Herrera, undefeated welterweight Achour Esho, junior welterweight newcomer Genaro Mendez and former amateur standout Ramiro Carrillo.
More information on this exciting evening of professional boxing will be announced shortly.
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).
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