ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS HITS CHICAGO,

AUGUST 6TH AT THE UIC PAVILION

CHICAGO, IL (July 27, 2010) 8 Count Productions in association with Vega Boxing have announced that ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will return to Chicago on Friday, August 6th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

“We’re very excited to work with Denis Benoit and the Vega Boxing team and our friends at ESPN to bring an outstanding event to the sports fans of Chicago on Friday, August 6th. We originally had an action packed event planned on that night for our Windy City Fight Night series and now the fans will get more world class boxing for the same price” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.

Headlining ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will be a ten round welterweight showdown between undefeated prospect “King” James De La Rosa of Harlingen , Texas and Mexican veteran Michel “EL Bravo” Rosales.

The 22 year old De La Rosa, 20-0-0 (12KO’s), has become one of the most talked about prospects in the talent rich welterweight division and is coming off a ten round shutout unanimous decision victory of Lenin Arroyo on October 31, 2009 in Las Vegas.

In his first network appearance on October 3, 2008, De La Rosa won a sensational ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Tim Coleman in Salisbury , MD , in a bout broadcast on Showtime.

Heavy handed Rosales, 28-3-0 (23KO’s), is currently riding a five bout winning streak, most recently battling towards a twelve round unanimous decision over Amilcar Melian on June 26th in Sinaloa , Mexico , for the WBC FECARBOX junior middleweight title.

The 27 year old Rosales’ six year career includes numerous televised battles with world class fighters including Mike Alvarado, Mark Melligen, Saul Alvarez, Jesus Soto Karass, Americo Santos, Gilbert Venegas and Dairo Esales.

Rosales’ bout with Soto-Karass at Cicero Stadium, just outside of Chicago , on October 20, 2006 was an outstanding battle, broadcast on Solo Boxeo. Although stopped in the 11th round, Rosales showed true warrior spirit throughout the “Fight of the Year” candidate.

The co-main event of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights brings a ten round junior welterweight battle between Venezuela ’s Patrick “EL Elegante” Lopez and Prenice Brewer of Cleveland , Ohio .

Riding a four bout winning streak, southpaw Lopez brings a record of 19-2-0 (11KO’s) into the bout with Brewer.

Both of Lopez’s two starts in 2010 resulted in eight round shutout victories, over former world title challenger John Brown on January 22nd and Mexican veteran Cristian Favela on April 23rd, both in Ontario , California .

The 22 year old Brewer is undefeated since turning professional in 2006, sporting a record of 15-0-1 with six knockouts. The highly regarded prospect is coming off a terrific six round decision over veteran Chris Fernandez on March 19th, a bout which was broadcast on ESPN2.

Previously announced for August 6th is a special attraction eight round heavyweight bout between local fan favorite and heavyweight contender Mike Mollo and Indianapolis ’ Franklin Lawrence.

Mollo returned to action in Chicago on March 26th as he dominated veteran Billy Zumbrun over eight rounds of battle, raising his record to 20-3-0 with twelve stoppages.

Lawrence, 12-2-2 (7KO’s), was undefeated for three years prior to losing a very close, hard fought ten round decision to former heavyweight world champion Oliver McCall on August 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.

Chicago prospects featured on the undercard appearing in separate bouts include junior welterweight Adrian Granados, welterweight Jaime Herrera, lightweight Antonio Avila, welterweight Genaro Mendez, light heavyweight Mike Jimenez and pro debuting junior welterweight Antonio Canas.

Advance tickets, starting at $31 are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box 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.



Bernie Bahrmasel
DOUBLE B PUBLICITY

Windy City Fight Night 9

It was a great night of fights tonight in Chicago, with Dominic Pesoli's "Windy City Fight Night 9" in town. Chicago's fight fans were treated to a heavyweight display from their Italian-American son, Mike Mollo. Mollo's resume includes names like Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline, and wins over Kevin McBride and Art Binkowski.

Tonight, Mollo's opponent was Billy Zumbrun, who has also fought his share of marquee heavies in his day. Zumbrun would have to wait to get even a small bit of success, because the early rounds all went to the jabbing tenacity of a re-dedicated, re-focused Mollo. His jab simply couldn't miss, jerking Zumbrun's head back repeatedly for the first five rounds of this eight-round affair.

Zumbrun somehow remained upright after the Mollo body attacks in rounds 4 and 5 to come on strong, himself, in the final three rounds, making the judging even more interesting. Judges scored the heated contest 79-73 (twice) and 78-74 for a unanimous win for Mike Mollo, improving his professional record to 20-3 with 12 KO's.

The co-main event tonight was a cruiserweight battle between Jason Robinson and Harvey Jolley, which saw both men hit the canvas in a fight that got the UIC Pavilion crowd on their feet. When it was all said and done, the accuracy and overall toughness of Robinson earned him a unanimous nod from the judges, with scores 59-54 and 58-54 (twice). This improves Robinson's professional record to 18-5 with 11 KO's.

Tonight's "Windy City Fight Night 9" undercard also featured some up and coming talent. Chicago heavyweight David "Diesel" Latoria defeated Tim Back at 2:24 of the first round by knocking him down from a solid right hand to the temple. Back's shoulder "went out" due to the fall, prompting him to signal the referee that he was unable to continue. This improves the very popular Latoria's professional record to 5-0 with 3 KO's to his credit. Chicago fight fans will be pleased to learn that they'll be able to see Latoria fight again on May 29th, also at the UIC Pavilion, to a yet-undetermined opponent.

Featherweight William Hernandez used his physical gifts to completely dominate Quincy Johnson in essentially every way while being granted unanimous 40-36 scorecards from the judges. With this win over the game but overmatched Johnson, Hernandez (only 19 years old) improves his professional record to 3-0. We'll be watching this young future star to see where he pops up next.

Heavyweight Krzysztof Zimnoch improves to 2-0 with 2 KO's after stopping rugged Dustin Hendrick at the 0:40 mark of the opening round.

Junior welterweight Adrian Granados improved to 4-1 by pummelling the body of William Ware, sending Ware to the canvas four times, including twice in the first round. The body attack of Granados is sure to be a tried-and-true weapon in the division for years to come, as he stopped Ware for good at 1:12 of the second round.

Sergio Cristobal scored a hard-fought, albeit unanimous decision victory over Deboe Thomas, prompting some question marks from the crowds, who felt Thomas had possibly done enough to at least score a draw. Facts being facts, Cristobal was bloodied and staggered by the end of the fourth and final round, but his pro record improves to 2-1 with this victory.

Heavyweight Maurice Harris opened the night with a raucous unanimous victory over 7-foot-tall Julius "Towering Inferno" Long, whose 90-inch reach endorses his last name. Long had his moments, but was deducted 2 points (bite attempt and an elbow strike). Harris definitely didn't have an easy night with the much taller Long, but he got the decision he deserved, which were 59-53 (all three judges agreed). This improves Harris's record to 22-14.

Bolo Punch would like to thank Mr. Dominic Pesoli and Mr. Bernie Bahrmasel for issuing the credentials for covering this event. Ringside report written by Chris Guzman. Ringside photography by Emil Kegebein. Images available at http://www.legupphotos.com/.

CESTUS Fighter Don “Da’Bomb” George: Continues Super-Middleweight Climb, Destroys Williams in 3 !

By: Cestus Press

Last Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago , Illinois , fight fans were treated to another great night of boxing as Chicago ’s native son, Cestus Management Fighter Donovan George, scored another jaw dropping win. “DA BOMB” (19-0-0 w/17 Kos ) completely dominated and destroyed Phil “The Drill” Williams knocking him out in 2:43 of the 3rd round. In the 3 rounds that the fight lasted George showed that he is starting to evolve into a formidable fighter as his speed, boxing aptitude and shocking power all came together as he executed the big punching Williams with brutal efficiency. “DA BOMB’s” sharp jab, power combination's and balanced footwork were just too much for “The Drill” to handle.

Gina Iacovou, Cestus Management’s CEO, said, “This really is a big win for Don as (Phil) Williams has fought very good opposition in his career and stopped most of his opponents. This is the type of performance that let us know that Donovan is ready to take the next step in his boxing career.”

Mike Michael, Cestus’ Chief Advisor, said, “ Chicago fans were thrilled tonight and Williams got drilled by "DA BOMB". The way he (George) dissected Phil Williams with his fast jabs and combination's to the head and body; Williams just didn’t stand a chance!” Michael continued, “I’m ecstatic about Donovan's performance tonight as he showed that he belongs at the world class levels of boxing. So lock the doors and run for cover because 2010 is is going to be an explosive year!”.