DENVER, CO (January 26, 2011) Lightweight contender “Red Hot” Robert Frankel heads to Chicago, IL this Friday night, January 28th, to battle former World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz in the ten round main event at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15 at the UIC Pavilion.
The Diaz/Frankel ten round battle is the main event of the action packed eight bout card presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, celebrating their 13th year as the HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Finishing up his training in his native Denver, Frankel spoke about the fight with Diaz, “I know David very well and I’ve seen him fight numerous times. He’s a true warrior and I know that fighting him in Chicago will be a huge challenge, but I’m coming to win, not to show up.”
The 30 year old Frankel, 27-9-1 (4KO’s), rides a six bout winning streak into Chicago and is looking to use a victory as a means toward a world title bout. “Hopefully a win over Diaz gets me to Humberto Soto, Brandon Rios or Anthony Peterson; I’m ready to prove it on Friday night.”
Fighting and winning on the road for most of his career, Frankel is known as a spoiler and is unphased by his first bout in Chicago against the former world champion in front of an expected huge crowd.
“I’m glad there’s going to be a large crowd, I’m sure they’ll be loudly supporting Diaz, but I’ve had a great deal of success on the road. My experience fighting all over the country should help.”
In regards to his game plan against Diaz, Frankel stated, “I’m taller than him and hope to use my reach to my advantage. I’m pretty sure he’s going to want to get inside and mix it up.”
“The fans in Chicago should expect a war, Diaz and I both need a victory and it should be a terrific battle on Friday night.”
A common opponent for Frankel and Diaz is veteran Ramon Montano, both winning by ten round decision in 2008.
A longtime Chicagoland fan favorite, Diaz, 35-3-1 (17KO’s), has won the biggest bouts of his career in hometown. In his Chicago bout on September 26, 2009, Diaz battered former world champion Jesus Chavez en route to a ten round decision in front of a huge crowd at the UIC Pavilion.
Diaz also defeated boxing legend Erik Morales in defense of his WBC Lightweight Title on August 4, 2007, in front of a packed house at the Allstate Arena.
Most recently Diaz challenged Mexican veteran Humberto Soto for the vacant WBC Lightweight Title on March 13th at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in front of a crowd of over 51,000. The action packed twelve round war, won by Soto, was the co-main event to boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao’s world title defense against Joshua Clottey.
Diaz is promoted by Top Rank Incorporated.
Advance tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 15, 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.