Brandon “BAM BAM” Rios takes to the ring in the co-main event at MARCH BADNESS, another evening of world class professional boxing

The “Fighting Garcias Team” of Oxnard, California, will return to Chicago this Friday night, March 14th as undefeated lightweight prospect Brandon “BAM BAM” Rios takes to the ring in the co-main event 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.

The 21 year old Rios, 15-0 with ten knockouts, will battle Kansas City native Alvin Brown, 26-10 (12KO’s) in the scheduled eight rounder. Rios is trained by the father and son duo of Eduardo Garcia and former junior lightweight champion of the world, Roberto Garcia at the famed La Colonia Youth Boxing Club in Oxnard.

Said Roberto Garcia, “We’ve always enjoyed coming to Chicago over the last few years whether it’s been with Fernando Vargas, Brandon or my brother Mikey. The crowds have been terrific to fight in front of and we’re thrilled to bring Brandon back along with my nephew Javier this time.”

In a battle of undefeated prospects, 20 year old Javier Garcia, 2-0-1 (2KO’s) will face 22 year old Michoacan, Mexico native, Jose Guzman, 5-0 (4KO’s) in a four rounder at MARCH BADNESS. Guzman currently resides in nearby Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Speaking about Rios’ preparation, Roberto would say, “Brandon has been training like a lion the last three months. We’ve had excellent sparring against (WBO featherweight champion) Steven Luevano along with my Mikey and Javier. He realizes his time is now and he’s very motivated. He’s had 15 fights and the time to make a move in the rankings is this year.”

Rios has fought twice in Chicago, dismantling Jaime Alvarado in the first round on July 15, 2005 at the Aragon Ballroom in his local debut and winning an eight round battle over Humberto Tapia on December 22, 2006 at Cicero Stadium. The Rios/Tapia war was one of the finest clashes of the year in the SOLO BOXEO Friday night series.

In his last bout, Rios won a six round slugfest over Carlos Madrid on May 25, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Brown’s eleven year career is highlighted by battles with world champions and highly ranked fighters including Wayne McCullough, Rogers Mtagwa, Priest Smalls, Marcos Ramirez, Emmanuel Lucero and Edel Ruiz.

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.

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. Miguel Angel Figueroa, six rounds, lightweights

Gadiel Andaluz vs. Fred Fleming, four rounds, lightweights

Javier Garcia vs. Jose Guzman, four rounds lightweights

As part of the evening’s events, a drawing for an autographed pair if boxing gloves signed by Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquaio will be held between fights. Marquez and Pacquaio will battle the following night, Saturday, March 15th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

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

The open to the public weigh-in for MARCH BADNESS will take place on Thursday, March 13th at 7pm at EL Jimador Restaurant, 1600 N. Mannheim Rd in Stone Park, just north of Lake St.


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.jabbboxinggym.com

For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit

www.toprank.com

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

Bernie Bahrmasel

Publicist/8 Count Productions

www.8countproductions.com

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