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Monday, March 3, 2008

SANTANA TO SHINE WEDNESDAY NIGHT; DBE Spanish Harlem Junior Welterweight wants Salita

NEW YORK- Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana (22-3, 14 KO’s) is looking to take the next big step in his quest to be a major player in the junior welterweight division. The DBE Spansh Harlem Junior Welterweight will face a tough, veteran test when he goes up against Grover Wiley (30-10, 14 KO’s) Wednesday night at DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing card at Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center. “Santana has been diligently training and looking sharp for his return to Broadway Boxing,” said manager Ernesto Dallas.



Santana is looking to rebound and “is on the comeback trail since his disappointing loss in June and is ready to show that one bad night does not derail a career,” said Dallas. “Santana is still an emerging force in the Junior Welterweight division. It is a testament to our faith in Santana that we are going to fight Grover Wiley as a comeback fight. This is the same Grover Wiley who fought Dmitriy Salita and went the distance with him as a main event.”



Team Santana knows exactly who they have their sights set on for the future. “I want to invite all fans to come out to the Manhattan Center on March 5th and see Santana’s performance against Wiley and compare to what Salita looked like against Wiley,” said Dallas. “I also want to extend a personal invitation to Dmitriy and the rest of Team Salita to come out and watch a real fighter at work. There will be ringside seats waiting at the door coutesy of Edgar Santana. Team Santana doesn’t take on bums! Salita was too scared to fight us on HBO last year. Maybe after Santana’s performance with Wiley, Salita will grow a pair and step into the ring with Edgar and try to justify his ridiculous #3 ranking by the WBA!”

The Santana/Wiley matchup will be apart of a great night of fights headlined by the rematch between Gary “Kid” Stark (20-2, 8 KO’s) and Andres Ledesma (14-7-1, 9 KO’s). Also on the card will be DBE Bronx heavyweight Israel “King Kong” Garcia (18-1, 10 KO’s), Puerto Rican native Joel Torres (8-0, 5 KO’s), Brooklyn Junior Middleweights Ariel Espinal (6-2-1, 2 KO’s) and Raymond Biggs Jr. (7-0, 6 KO’s), Queens native Joselito Collado (1-0), and featherweight Tracey Hutt making her pro debut out of Island Park.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing priced at $150, $100, $80, $60, and $40 are currently on sale. They are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577. For more information on Broadway Boxing, please visit DiBella entertainment on the web at www.dbe1.com.
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In Celebration of Woman's History Month, Memorial Baptist Church Presents; "Living and Moving In The Spirit" Praise Dance Celebration


In Celebration of Woman's History Month, Memorial Baptist Church Presents; "Living and Moving In The Spirit" Praise Dance Celebration, w/ Dr. Renee F. Washington Gardner, Senior Pastor, on Saturday March 15th, 2008
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Boxing Legends to Attend Historic Fight In Mexico on Saturday March 8

Larry ‘The Easton Assassin’ Holmes, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney, Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, Roberto ‘Hands of Stone’ Duran and Saoul Mamby; Join Promoter Don King for the First-Ever Heavyweight Championship in Mexico

CANCUN, Mexico—Promoter Don King is pulling out the stops on Saturday to make sure the first heavyweight championship ever staged in Mexico is a star-studded affair.


He announced today that boxing legends Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran and Saoul Mamby will all join him ringside when World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev squares off with WBC interim heavyweight champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter on Saturday night at Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Mexico.

“I love Mexico and I love the Mexican people so it’s only fitting that some of biggest names in the sport of boxing are here to witness history in Cancun,” King said. “Mexico has contributed some of the best boxers ever to our sport but a world heavyweight championship has never been decided here.

“Cancun has fully recovered from the devastation of hurricane Wilma in 2005 and is now a better-than-ever First Class resort destination capable of hosting an event of this magnitude.”

King and his posse of ring legends will also take in a second world championship when undefeated World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz takes on IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell.

Former two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo will meet undefeated No. 1 contender Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley in a WBC super lightweight elimination bout, and former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz is in a WBC qualification bout opposing Jameel “Big Time” McCline.

Tickets priced at $1,000, 500, $300, $150, $100, $70, $50 and $10 are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster in Mexico at +5255 5325 9000. Both fights will be televised live in America on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at

9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. “History in Cancun” is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Duva Boxing, Pepe Gomez Promotions and One Punch Productions.

King also praised the governor of Quintana Roo, the state inside Mexico that Cancun is located in.

“Quintana Roo Governor Felix Gonzalez Canto is a visionary and a true representative of his people,” King said. “Without his help and guidance, Mexico would not be hosting its first heavyweight championship on Saturday


Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.

DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in history.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.

Dino Duva, the president of Duva Boxing, has promoted great fighters and great fights during four decades in boxing. Growing up in a renowned boxing family, the Duva name has become synonymous with excellence in the fight game as the “First Family in Boxing.” Working closely with his Hall of Fame father, Lou, and his late, great brother Dan, Duva has been involved in the promotion of over 100 world championship fights including such titlists as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, and Mark Breland. Duva is presently the promoter of Samuel Peter, regarded by many as the top young heavyweight contender in boxing.
Alan Hopper
Don King Productions
Event Page: http://www.kevincalero.com/donking/event%5F3808/

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Puerto Rican newcomer Gadiel Andaluz will return to the Cicero Stadium squared circle on Friday, March 14th at MARCH BADNESS

Puerto Rican newcomer Gadiel Andaluz will return to the Cicero Stadium squared circle on Friday, March 14th at MARCH BADNESS, another evening of world class professional boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.

Andaluz thrilled the packed Cicero Stadium crowd making his pro debut on January 25th with a devastating third round knockout of Marsay Buggs, a video of which can be viewed on Youtube.com

The hard punching Andaluz is scheduled to battle fellow Chicagoan Nick Arellano, 1-2 in a four round lightweight bout. Arellano is coming off a four round decision victory over Greg Dziubek on February 1st in Chicago.

Said Pesoli, “Gadiel looked terrific in his pro debut and our fans really
enjoyed seeing his performance. He’s been working diligently at JABB since he arrived back in Chicago six months ago and we’re very happy to have him back on MARCH BADNESS.”

MARCH BADNESS is headlined by an outstanding lightweight clash between former world champion Javier “EL Chatito” Jauregui and world ranked contender Miguel “EL Anestesista “Huerta.

Along with Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, MARCH BADNESS is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.

Tickets for MARCH BADNESS are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.

The full MARCH BADNESS card is as follows;

Javier Jauregui vs. Miguel Huerta, twelve rounds, lightweights
Brandon Rios vs. Alvin Brown, eight rounds, lightweights
Victor Polyakov vs. Derrick Findley, eight rounds, middleweights
Leo Martinez vs. Jose Navarette, six rounds, lightweights
Gadiel Andaluz vs. Nick Arellano, four rounds, lightweights
Eric Estrada vs. TBA, super bantamweights

The Master of Ceremonies for MARCH BADNESS will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.

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 http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/

For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit
http://www.toprank.com/

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
http://www.8countproductions.com/

2-time world heavyweight champion John Ruiz' fight Saturday night against Jameel McCline in Cancun; Ruiz fighting to position himself for one last run

CANCUN, Mexico– Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA and No. 5 by the WBC, fights veteran Jameel “Big Time” McCline this Saturday night on the Oleg Maskaev-Samuel Peter card in Cancun, Mexico.


Ruiz, who broke Las Vegas-based training camp Sunday and flew to Cancun with his head trainer, Manny Siaca, Sr., has positioned himself for one last title run and a win Saturday against McCline will put him in line to challenge in the WBC and WBA.

“We’re (Ruiz and McCline) not old fighters but we seem to be the last from our group that’s talked about as title contenders,” Ruiz said. “I don’t know why anybody’s talking about the Klitschkos anymore, especially after that joke of a fight last week. Everybody seems to be looking for that up-and-coming heavyweight who is supposedly going to save the heavyweight division. None of these guys have proven anything, yet. McCline is a veteran of a lot of boxing wars like me.”

McCline (38-8-3, 23 KOs) is a 4-time world title challenger, currently rated No. 9 by the WBC and No. 13 by the WBO, who has defeated former world champion Shannon Briggs.

Jameel “Big Time” McCline



“McCline put on a great show against Peter even though he fell short,” Ruiz noted. “He still has it and I’m looking forward to fighting him. We’re both willing to go toe-to-toe. I’m glad to be fighting in front of a Latin crowd and I know it’s going to be a tough fight.”

In his last three fights, Ruiz has reverted back to the aggressive fighter he was when he first captured the world title in 2001, but two of those bouts were in Europe and the other off television, leaving American boxing fans still with the image of Ruiz clutching and grabbing.

“I’m tired of talking about the new John Ruiz,” the first and only Hispanic heavyweight champion of the world remarked. “I can’t change people’s minds without them seeing me fight. I need more action, less talking about it, and I intend to show them in the ring. I’ve blocked that talk out for this fight.

“It’s my last hurrah. The heavyweight division is wide open and it needs somebody to step-up and take charge. The statement I want to make Saturday night is I’m that heavyweight. That’s why I brought in Manny, trained very hard, and have gotten so mentally focused. I’ve talked less about it with reporters, but fans there in Mexico will see the new John Ruiz for themselves.”

Ruiz, who has fought in 11 world championship fights (including one interim and one eliminator), has beaten three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson during his 15-year pro career.
CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press

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NO HOLDS BARRED: Charles Farrell and Frank Lotierzo on the Fight of the Year: Vazquez-Marquez 3

NO HOLDS BARRED: Charles Farrell and Frank Lotierzo on the Fight of the Year: Vazquez-Marquez 3

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-03-03T14_20_53-08_00

On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our colleagues Charles Farrell and Frank Lotierzo of The Boxing Standard (http://boxingstandard.com/).

Our lengthy discussion focuses mainly on this past Saturday's thrilling rubber match between super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez and former world champion Rafael Marquez, won by Vazquez by split decision. We analyze this fight, what it means for boxing, how the American boxing media once again largely blew this story, and more.

To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link at the start of this message, scroll down that page, and just press the play button on the player.

You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking on the download link (right-click to save it).

Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).

Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/. On this week's edition, we begin by reviewing the third, classic battle between WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez (43-4, 31 KOs) and former world champion Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KOs), which took place Saturday, March 1, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. After splitting the first two fights, Vazquez won the rubber match by split decision in an early Fight of the Year front runner. Next, we preview another fight which will also take place at the Home Depot Center. On May 3, Oscar De La Hoya (38-5, 30 KOs), in what he says will be the first of the final three fights in his career, will take on Steve Forbes (33-5, 9 KOs) at a catch-weight of 150 pounds. Both De La Hoya and Forbes were on a national media tour last week, and we caught up with them when they were in New York. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy.

Make sure to check out my regular articles on the ADCC News at http://www.adcombat.com and on FightBeat.com at http://fightbeat.com.

NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

YAMMA Pit Fighting (http://yammapitfighting.com). The producers of the original UFC and Live Nation (http://livenation.com/), worldwide leaders in live entertainment, present YAMMA Pit Fighting mixed martial arts. On the streets, it's against the law. In the pit, it IS the law.

IFL, the International Fight League (http://ifl.tv/), the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1636002) in the U.S., and to check your local listings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, at http://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html.

Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/).

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).

FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman

No Holds Barred blog
http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/

No Holds Barred podcast
http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/

The Boxing Standard
http://boxingstandard.com/

No Holds Barred on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews



Enjoy!

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World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz

CHICAGO, IL,- World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz will host his only media workout on Thursday, March 6th at JABB Boxing Gym (410 N. Oakley, Chicago, IL 60612) beginning at 12 NOON CST.

Diaz is currently training for his battle with Ramon Montano set for Saturday, March 15th at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., which will be broadcast live as part of UNFINISHED BUSINESS, headlined by the highly anticipated rematch of JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ and MANNY PACQUIAO for the WBC and vacant Ring Magazine Super Featherweight World Championship.


Promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions, UNFINISHED BUSINESS will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay Per View, beginning at 9pm ET, 6pm PT.

Chicago native Diaz brings a record of 33-1-1 (17KO’s) into the bout with Las Vegas resident Montano, 14-3. In his last bout, Diaz defended his title in an epic battle against boxing legend Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, before 10,000 Chicago fight fans.

Vinny Paz vs. Micky Ward “Rumble at the River,” March 14 at Twin River Event Center

RI PROVIDENCE– Two popular blasts from the past, Vinny Paz and “Irish” Micky Ward, will be in opposite corners on March 14 as honorary captains of Team Italy and Team Ireland, respectively, for the Italian-Irish themed “Rumble at the River” pro boxing show at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. “Rumble at the River,” part of “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series at Twin River, is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in association with Twin River, Budweiser and Tournament of Contenders.

World super middleweight challenger “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. (28-5, 13 KOs), star of The Contender I television reality series, headlines “Rumble at the River” against Shane “The Irish Hitman” Benfield (17-1, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Paz is a former 5-time world champion who won 50 pro fights, while Ward participated in three “Fights of the Year,” highlighted by his famed trilogy fighting Arturo Gatti. “Vinny Paz and Micky Ward are two of boxing’s all-time great warriors,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said of the two charter members of CES’ Ring of Honor. “They have both kept their fires burning in boxing, Vinny as a television analyst and Micky as a trainer.

Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt Jimmy Burchfield and Peter Manfredo, Jr.
(photo courtesy of Emily Harney)


Many young fighters, especially in New England, are involved in the sport because they watched these two fighters in action. We’re thrilled that they are involved in ‘Rumble at the River’ as team captains. I’m very happy to call Vinny and Micky my personal friends. They know what boxing has done for them and they give a lot back to the boxing community. They’ll be available to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Our unbeaten heavyweight contender, “Baby” Joe Mesi, will also be there for fans to meet.”

Mesi ESPN Friday Night Fights In-Studio Guest Undefeated heavyweight contender “Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs), who is slated to headline the April 4 ESPN2Friday Night Fights show at Twin River, will make his third appearance as ESPN2 FNF “In Studio” guest on this Friday (Feb. 29) night. Mesi will review the Joe Louis documentary, Klitschko-Ibragimov heavyweight unification fight, Pavlik-Taylor II and preview Vasquez-Marquez III.

IWBF lightweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (18-4-1, 7 KOs), fighting out of Cranston (RI) puts her belt on the line against veteran contender Belinda “Brown Sugar” Larcuente (23-20-3, 9 KOs), the GBU junior welterweight title-holder from New York City, in the 10-round co-feature. Clampitt is a 3-time world champion, while 20 of Larcuente’s last 21 bouts, dating back nearly five years, have been against world champions.

Belinda “Brown Sugar” Larcuente (L) and Mellissa, trainer

Stoughton (MA) cruiserweight Chris McInerney (9-1-1, 6 KOs) meets former New England title-holder Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (19-4-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, in a six-round rematch of a bout McInerney won by sixth round TKO last December. Undefeated Russian middleweight Andre Nevsky (3-0, 3 KOs), of Worcester (MA), faces Eric Pinarreta (2-1, 2 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), in a four-round match. USBA No. 4 super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence; light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (6-1, 4 KOs), of Lowell (MA); unbeaten Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beauchamp (3-0) and Providence junior welterweight Diego Pereira making his pro debut are also on the undercard against opponents to be determined. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Manfredo, Spina, Flamos and Pinarreta are on Paz’ Team Italy; Benfield, Clampitt, McInerney and McCreedy are captained by Ward on Team Ireland. Tickets for “Rumble at the River” are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at http://www.cesboxing.com/ or http://www.twinriver.com/, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ http://www.twinriver.com/) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET. (Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Rumble at the River.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press

Bob Arum’s Top Rank and Chicago’s 8 Count Prods presents; MARCH BADNESS, March 14th headlined by Javier Jauregui and Miguel Angel Huerta

MARCH BADNESS is headlined by an outstanding lightweight clash between former world champion Javier “EL Chatito” Jauregui and world ranked contender Miguel Angel “EL Anestesista “Huerta.

Tickets for MARCH BADNESS are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.

Guadalajara, Mexico’s Jauregui, 52-14-2 (36KO’s) is coming off an eight round knockout of undefeated prospect Adrian Mora this past September 18th in Friant, California. Jauregui’s illustrious 20 year professional career includes wins over Leavander Johnson (TKO-11) for the IBF title in 2003, Jose Luis Castillo (TKO-10 twice) and Alex Trujillo (UD-12).

Huerta, of Mexico City, 26-8-1 (18KO’s), will be making his third Chicago appearance in the last two years, most recently knocking out former world title challenger Daniel Alicea in the third round on December 14, 2007 at Cicero Stadium. He is currently ranked #5 in the world by the World Boxing Council.

The co-main event of MARCH BADNESS features the return to Chicago of Oxnard, California’s undefeated lightweight prospect Brandon “BAM BAM” Rios, 15-0 (10KO’s) squaring off against Kansas City veteran Alvin Brown, who brings a record of 26-10 (12KO’s) into battle.

Rios’ last bout in Chicago was an outstanding eight round decision over Humberto Tapia on December 22, 2006 at Cicero Stadium. He is trained by the highly regarded father and son team of Eduardo and Robert Garcia.

The outstanding undercard at MARCH BADNESS features Chicago based fan favorites including undefeated middleweight prospect Victor ‘THE UKRAINIAN TIGER” Polyakov, 7-0 (6KO’s), sensational Puerto Rican lightweight newcomer Gadiel Andaluz, 1-0 (1KO), lightweight veteran Leo Martinez, 12-9 (5KO’s) and 19 year old super bantamweight prospect Eric “EL LOCO” Estrada, 3-0 (1KO) in separate bouts. More information on these bouts will be announced shortly.
Polyakov and Andaluz’s most recent knockouts are featured on Youtube.com

Along with Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, MARCH BADNESS is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.

The Master of Ceremonies for MARCH BADNESS will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.

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 http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/

For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit
http://www.toprank.com/

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions