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11/05/2008 Archived Entry: "'The Best in Chicago Boxing' Returns Friday, Nov. 14th!"
'The Best in Chicago Boxing' Returns Friday, Nov. 14th!
Ivan Popoca headlines terrific undercard
Advance tickets now on sale!
Press Release
Fight poster courtesy of 8 Count Productions
CHICAGO, November 4, 2008 -- Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions returns to Cicero Stadium on Friday, November 14th with “SHOWDOWN,” an action packed evening of world class professional boxing.
Advance tickets for “SHOWDOWN” can be obtained by calling the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie in Cicero. Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.
Ivan Popoca
Featured on the undercard at “SHOWDOWN” is Chicago ’s hottest prospect, undefeated junior welterweight Ivan Popoca. Since turning pro after a highly successful amateur career, the Guerrero, Mexico native has quickly become a huge fan favorite with his stunning knockouts.
The 26 year old Popoca, 8-0-1 (7KO’s) recently spent time sparring with former Russian amateur standout Aslanbek Kozaev. Training together for the last three weeks at Chicago ’s JABB Boxing Gym, it was inevitable that the sparring sessions would be fierce given their combined talents and aggression.
The 20 year old Kozaev, sporting a 3-0 record with one knockout since turning professional earlier this year and Popoca spent last week in furious four round sparring sessions in front of crowds of onlookers.
Said Popoca, “The sparring was terrific for me, he’s got a totally different style than what I normally see amongst fighters based in this country. And he can crack, I know I hurt him a few times the first time we sparred and he had a couple of vicious right hands that he caught me with.
"It seemed like the whole gym stopped to watch us in the ring the first time we sparred, like they knew it was going to be pretty good. I know he went home for a few weeks but I’m looking forward to training with him again, he’s a hard worker.”
Said Pesoli, also co-owner of JABB Boxing Gym, “They sparred a few times last week and neither one held much back. Kozaev will probably fight in Chicago in January and then I’m hoping to match them up, hopefully on television.”
Popoca will face Akron, Ohio veteran Jason Jordan in a six round bout at “SHOWDOWN”.
Headlining “SHOWDOWN” is an outstanding light heavyweight Chicago showdown between local favorites Mike “THE HAMMER” Nevitt, 15-1 (6KO’s) and MARVELOUS Shay Mobley, 17-9-1 (17KO’s) in an eight round bout.
In a special attraction six round featherweight bout, undefeated super bantamweight prospect Eric “EL LOCO” Estrada, 5-0 (2KO’s) will battle Puerto Rican native Ivan “THE BABY FACED ASSASSIN” Rodriguez, 9-4-1 (3KO’s).
The 19 year Estrada has burst on the Chicago scene since turning pro one year ago and has quickly become a crowd favorite. Rodriguez is coming off an outstanding “blood and guts” win over Barbaro Zepeda on July 25th that had his legion of loyal fans on their feet from the opening bell.
Also appearing at “SHOWDOWN” is undefeated Chicago featherweight Juan Bailon in a four round bout against Barbaro Zepeda. Bailon, 3-0 (1KO), is coming off a four round unanimous decision win over Gerardo Alarcon on June 20th at the Aragon Ballroom.
Rounding out the card, Chicago newcomer Ryan Smedick will return in a four round welterweight bout against Chicago area native Gustavo Palacios. Smedick, 1-0 (1KO), scored a third round knockout of Eric Bradford on August 15th at the Aragon Ballroom in his pro debut.
More information on this event will be announced shortly.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be noted boxing ring announcer Thomas Treiber.
“SHOWDOWN” is presented along with Budweiser, TCF Bank, Jack Daniels and EL Jimador Tequila.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. 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.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com
