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04/10/2006 Archived Entry: "Art Binkowski vs. Tipton Walker Added to 'Lightning Strikes' on April 21!"
Art Binkowski vs. Tipton Walker Added to 'Lightning Strikes' on April 21!
By Bernie Bahrmasel
Photo by Juan C. Ayllon
CICERO, IL - Polish heavyweight prospect Art Binkowki will face tough Benton Harbor, MI native Tipton Walker in a special attraction bout just added to the "Lighting Strikes" April 21st professional boxing card at Cicero Stadium, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.
Binkowki, “The Polish Warrior” is making his return to the ring after a 10 month layoff which saw him portray Corn Griffin in the award winning Cinderella Man movie last year, the story of heavyweight champion Jim Braddock. Braddock’s TKO stoppage of Griffin in the third round on June 14, 1934 at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island City, NY is an integral part of the movie as both fighters had been down in the second round.
Binkowski’s portrayal of Griffin was noted by Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee and Academy Award Winners Ron Howard and Russell Crowe for it’s authenticity.
Although Binkowski, 14-1-2 (9KO’s) has fought previously in Chicago, this is his first appearance on an 8 Count Productions’ event. His last bout in Chicago was a draw with fellow contender with Charles Hatcher on November 24, 2004.
Walker, 13-12-1 (6KO’s) is returning to the 8 Count Productions’ ring in which his last appearance was a fourth TKO destruction of then highly regarded Chicago contender Chris Thomas.
Said Pesoli of the matchup. “Art’s been off for a while with the movie but he’s in tough right off the bat with Walker. This is a terrific matchup, both guys are very heavy handed and will be throwing hard leather from the opening.
"It’s a real fight fans bout, as it’s only a six rounder, they’ll be throwing bombs early and often.”
Continued Pesoli, “Art’s been a solid prospect for a while and a big draw to the Polish fans here in Chicago. Walker’s annihilation of Thomas was the night Jorge Paez fought on our show at DePaul and we had about 3,500 fans there that night. While they no doubt enjoyed seeing Paez, I’m sure they still remember the hard punching Walker.”
The Binkowski/Walker fight is part of an eight bout action packed card at Cicero Stadium.
The full fight card and records are as follows:
Michael Walker, 10-0-1 (8), vs. TBA, middleweights, eight rounds
Art Binkowski, 14-1-2 (9) vs. Tipton Walker, 13-12-1 (6), heavyweights, six rounds
Jorge Gonzalez, 4-0 vs. Rashad Holloway, 3-1 (2), super welterweights, six rounds
Omar Reyes, 2-2 vs. Darby Smart, 9-3 (4), featherweights, six rounds
Emanuel Hernandez, 5-2 (1) vs. Jeff Curran, 1-0 (1), super lightweights, six rounds
Rafal Jackiewicz, 19-8 (10) vs. TBA, welterweights, six rounds
Nora Reyes, 1-0 vs. TBA, featherweights, four rounds
Christina Christian, 4-0 (4) vs. TBA, heavyweights, four rounds
Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson expressways. Doors for this event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. Tickets, starting at $30 are on sale in advance by calling 312-226-5800.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and the 6,000 square foot JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com
