Barthelemy-Griffin, Coleman-Griffin, Williams-Herrera on Friday; Fonfara-Russell on 5/20; Micky Ward & Eklund Named Grand Marshals on 6/12

The undercard has been finalized for this Friday (April 29) ESPN2 Friday Night Fights broadcast from the deck of the Boulevard Pool at ultra-luxurious The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In support of the excellent Carlos Molina vs. Allen Conyers main event will be several stiff tests for undefeated prospects looking to climb boxing’s ladder to stardom against tough opponents looking for an upset.

In the televised opener, Houston, Texas-based prospect Hylon Williams Jr. (13-0, 3 KO’s) will face Colorado’s Marcos Herrera (6-4-1, 2 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. Williams was generating future star buzz before he took more than a year off in 2009 due to burnout. This will be his second fight since returning and that buzz is already starting to return. Don’t miss this sensational prospect.

Looking to keep sharp as he prepares to fight for a mandatory position in the rankings in the future, relentless #5-rated IBF super lightweight contender Tim “Pitbull” Coleman (18-1-1, 5 KO’s) of Baltimore will face a surprisingly tough opponent in Sonora, Mexico’s Sergio Rivera (16-6-2, 10 KOs) over eight rounds. Credit due to Coleman who could be coasting his way into a big fight, but chooses instead to keep busy in good fights.

Undefeated Cuban super featherweight power puncher Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (11-0, 9 KO’s) will take on Las Vegas’ Rynell Griffin (6-4-11, 2 KOs) in a super featherweight eight rounder.

Chelyabwsk, Russia’s Sergey Kovalev (13-0, 11 KOs) will take a potentially difficult test when he squares off with Bay City, Texas, native Terrance Woods (8-1, 6 KOs) in a light heavyweight eight rounder and Kovalev’s countryman, Evgeny Gradovich (9-0, 6 KOs) of Igrim, Russia, will face East Los Angeles’ capable Aalan Martinez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round battle of undefeated featherweights.

Undefeated Cuban heavyweight Glendy Hernandez (6-0, 3 KO`s) will go against Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada’s Ken Frank (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a solid six-round heavyweight match-up and to open the night, Havana, Cubas’s Yunieski Gonzalez (4-0, 3 KOs) will face Phoenix, Arizona’s Carlos Reyes (4-3-1, 2 KOs).

“This top-quality undercard reflects the elite surroundings of this venue,” said event promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “Friday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, boxing fans will be swimming in non-stop action.”

On fight night, doors will open at 4:30 pm. The first fight is at 5:00 pm and the main event will begin promptly at 6:00 pm.

The Cosmopolitan proudly presents another uniquely glamorous evening of world-class professional boxing; and this time, overlooking the heart of The Strip on the open-air multilevel deck of the city’s most fabulous luxury pool, The Boulevard Pool. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $50, $150 and $250 for the VIP experience, which includes a private section with comfortable seating and complimentary cocktails. Special Cabana packages also are available. Tickets are available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or by calling 877-551-7776 or 702-698-6880.

SENSATIONAL UNDERCARD SET FOR WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 FRIDAY, MAY 20TH AT UIC PAVILION

CHICAGO, IL (April 28, 2011) Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, has put together a sensational undercard for the WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 event which takes places on Friday, May 20th at the UIC Pavilion.

“The undercard that we’ve put together is the perfect compliment to the terrific ten round main event between the “Polish Prince” Andrzej Fonfara and Anthony Russell for the WBO NABO light heavyweight title” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.

“Our fans expect a full evening of great fights and that’s been our commitment to them since we started in 1998. The huge crowds that have returned to each event of the WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT series over the last two years validates what we do.”

‘We have scores of fans lined up when we open the doors at the UIC Pavilion because they don’t want to miss any of the action at our events” continued Pesoli.

Headlining the undercard is Chicago’s hottest prospect, Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados, taking on “Battling” Mike Culbert of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a rematch match of their terrific bout from this past June 19th.

Throwing nothing but bombs in their all-out war during their first bout, Granados and Culbert had the UIC faithful on their feet throughout the five round junior welterweight battle. With Granados winning a hard fought unanimous decision, both warriors return to the ring to finally settle their score.

The 21 year old Granados, now 5-0-1 (3KO’s), is coming off a thrilling eight round battle with the much more experienced veteran Lanardo Tyner on March 25th in River Grove, IL. Although many ringside observers had Granados winning, judges at ringside scored the fight a draw.

The well rested and ready Culbert, inactive since the loss to Granados, posts a record of 3-0-1 (2KO’s), heading into the six round rematch.

Also making his return to the UIC Pavilion will be Chicago based welterweight prospect, Jaime “The Truth” Herrera who will face off against Eric Draper in a six round tilt.

The 22 year old Herrera had won his first five professional bouts before being stopped in the second round against Alex De Leon on January 28th at the UIC Pavilion.

Herrera will look to get back in the winning column against the tough Indiana veteran Draper, who has won three in a row against foes with a combined record of 17-4-0 to even his line at 4-4-0 (1KO).

Also last June 19th, all-action attraction Johnny Garcia of Holland, Michigan, thrilled the crowd at the UIC Pavilion along with his very large group of supporters who had made the trek to Chicago with a brilliant four round decision over Dean Peters Jr.

Now boasting a record of 6-0-0 with five knockouts, the heavy handed Garcia will square off against Detroit’s Gregory Coverson, who will look to extend his two bout winning streak and improve upon his record of 3-1-0 (2KO’s) in a six round junior welterweight bout.

Indiana based middleweights will see action in a scheduled six rounder as Schereville based knockout artist Josh Crouch, 6-1-0 (6KO’s), challenges Keon Johnson, 8-4-0 (2KO’s) of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Rounding out the undercard at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, fan favorite and undefeated middleweight prospect Ninos Abraham, 6-0-0 (2KO’s) makes his UIC Pavilion debut in a scheduled six rounder.

Also exciting Puerto Rican newcomer Luis Santiago returns to action following a spectacular pro debut on April 1st.

Dropping welterweight William Bokhart three times in the first round, Santiago stunned the crowd at the UIC Pavilion as he earned the stoppage with a devastating body shot.

Chicago lightweight Juan Bustamante will make his pro debut at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 in a four rounder.

Additional information on these three bouts will be announced shortly.

Tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, priced at $100, $75, $50 and $30 are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, the UIC Pavilion Boxing 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.

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 George, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca, Adrian Granados and Ramiro Carrillo along with welterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.

For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit www.8countproductions.com

Ward & Eklund Named Grand Marshals!

CANASTOTA, NY– APRIL 28, 2011 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today the real-life inspirations behind the Academy Award-winning motion picture The Fighter, junior welterweight star “Irish” Micky Ward and his brother / trainer Dicky Eklund have been named Grand Marshals of the 22nd Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 12th at 1 p.m.

Released in December 2010, The Fighter starred Mark Wahlberg as Ward and Academy Award-winner Christian Bale as Eklund. The film has won critical and fan praise and garnered two Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild awards and two Academy Awards.

“The Fighter really captured the public’s imagination and brought the incredible story of one of boxing’s ultimate warriors to a whole new audience,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “We couldn’t be happier for Micky and Dicky and, along with boxing fans from around the world, we are very much looking forward to seeing them in Canastota leading the Parade of Champions.”

Boxing out of Lowell, MA, Ward was one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. He turned pro in 1985 and used a crowd-pleasing style to register a 38-13 (27 KOs) record that includes wins over Reggie Green, Emanuel Burton and Shea Neary for the WBU junior welter title. In 2002 and 2003 Ward engaged in an epic trilogy with Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (1-2). Following their third bout Ward announced his retirement from the ring. During his career, he was in “Fight of the Year” three times (2001 vs. Burton and 2002 and 2003 vs. Gatti).

“It’s an honor to be named grand marshal. It’s incredible and I’m really excited to be leading the parade of great champions and great people,” said Ward. “There’s no better place to be than Canastota in June with all the fans!”

An accomplished amateur, Lowell’s Eklund is a three-time Golden Gloves champion. He won 192 of 200 amateur bouts before joining the paid ranks in 1975. As a pro he campaigned for 10 years and, in 1978, famously fought Sugar Ray Leonard in Boston in a bout televised live on HBO. Outside of the ring, he trained Ward throughout his career, including the legendary trilogy with Arturo Gatti. Now a full-time trainer, Eklund is known for hisinsight into the boxing game.

“This is the greatest honor I’ve got since the movie!” said Eklund. “It will be fantastic to be in Canastota leading the parade with all of the world champions. There’s nothing better than that. To be the grand marshal is unbelievable.”

The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 12th at 1:00 p.m., will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony are three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico), junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (Russia / Australia), heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA), trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Mexico), referee Joe Cortez (USA) and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

Over 40 boxing stars will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions.

“With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities, community organizations and now Micky and Dicky, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all,” said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.

The 2011 Parade of Champions is sponsored by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

The June 9-12th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature many exciting events including a banquet, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2011.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 22nd Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.