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08/10/2004 Archived Entry: "8 Count Productions and Miller Lite Presents Hawthorne Heat This Friday Night"
8 Count Productions and Miller Lite Presents Hawthorne Heat This Friday Night
Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Miller Lite presents "Hawthorne Heat," an action packed night of Chicago's best professional boxing at the Hawthorne Race Course on Friday, August 13, 2004. Featured in the eight round main event is Illinois State Middleweight Champion, "Macho" Miguel Hernandez, 11-1 (7KO's).
The Hawthorne Race Course is located at 35th and Laramie on the Chicago/Cicero border, just minutes from the Stevenson expressway. Fight fans are encouraged to purchase tickets, starting at $25, in advance by calling 312-226-5800. Doors open at 7pm and the first bell is at 8pm.
The eight round co-main event has local favorite KO artist Luciano "El Gallo Bravo" Perez, 9-0 (KO's) as he challenges for the Illinois State Welterweight Championship. Also on the card is the return of fast rising prospect middleweight David "The Weezel" Estrada, 5-1 (3KO's) in a scheduled six rounder.
Making his pro debut on the card is Puerto Rican bantamweight sensation Ivan Rodriguez in a special attraction four rounder. The twenty-two year old Rodriguez is a two-time Golden Gloves champion and sports a tremendous amateur record of 109 wins and 11 losses.
Just added to the card is welterweight Trinidad Garcia, 3-0 in a four rounder. Former amateur champion Francisco Tafoya will be making also be making his pro debut.
The ring and seating will be on the beautiful infield grounds at the race course with all the excitement and fantastic fights 8 Count Productions has built their reputation on. In the case of rain, the event will be held indoors at the race course.
Local favorite "Macho" Miguel Hernandez is anxious to get back in the ring to continue his five fight win streak and spoke of the status of his career. "It was nice to have the time off, the ten weeks is the longest break of my career and after having five fights already this year my body needed the rest. Each fight this year has been different with each fighter bringing something different and the whole process has been a learning experience. Conteh was awkward and slick, Lopez was a tough inside fighter with lots of power and Martin was both awkward and tough."
Speaking of his last bout against Martin in which he won the Illinois State Middleweight Championship, Miguel said "my son Josh fought earlier on the card in an amateur bout and that took so much out of me to watch him and then I had to fight later on, it made for a long, emotionally strenuous night. From now on we fight on different nights", he said with a laugh." Macho also wanted to thank the fans for all of their support on the June 4th 8 Count Productions' Latin Explosion card for both him and his son, "it was great fighting on the same card as Josh and winning the state title, the fans that night were terrific to both of us."
Talking about his future bouts, Hernandez said, "I'm looking to improve as a fighter and the best way to do that is to step up the competition, its a little difficult at this stage because getting tape on your opponent is hard, a couple of more fights and I'll be able to know more about them earlier on." While not wanting to name any opponents wanted, Miguel said, "I've got a pretty good record so I'm looking to fight guys with similar records, I also wouldn't mind fighting Chris Troupe again, he beat me last year and I'd welcome another shot at him if the fight could be made."
Speaking of his dream bout, Miguel said quickly, "Camacho Sr, being of Puerto Rican heritage he was always my favorite fighter and it would be an honor to face him, I'm sure it would draw a huge crowd also."
Lastly, Miguel spoke about the new venue at Hawthorne Race Course, "its a little closer to my fan base on the South Side of Chicago and as always 8 Count Productions puts on terrific events and this should be no different. Should be a great night."
Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions; "its a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy a terrific night of boxing. The ring will be set up in the infield on the beautifully landscaped grounds of the race course. Just in case, we've made contingency plan to hold the event inside at Hawthorne in the case of rain. I'd encourage fight fans to order tickets in advance by calling me this week." Doors open at 7pm, first bell is at 8pm.
Speaking after a 90 minute sparring and training session at JABB Boxing Gym on the near Northwest side of Chicago, the twenty-six year old Luciano "El Gallo Bravo" Perez spoke of his career so far, "its been a good run, at first because I didn't have much of an amateur career I was trying to knock everyone out, but now I'm more confident in my boxing skills." The Mexican born Perez was a late starter to boxing with just a two year amateur record of 15-9 before turning professional thirteen months ago.
Talking about his career so far, Perez said, "its been great, I've been very pleased with Dominic and 8 Count and I look forward to tougher fights and tougher opponents." Although his opposition is not yet confirmed, the fight for the state title will be Perez's toughest to date. "Juan Aguilar was my toughest opponent, although I won a split decision I'd like to fight him again in an eight rounder at 147." Indeed the four round "Solo Boxeo" nationally televised war this past February had a packed DePaul Athletic Center on their feet from start to finish as they cheered on both warriors.
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
www.8countproductions.com
bbahrmasel@aol.com
Photo/graphic by Juan C. Ayllon
