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Articles of 2004

Latin Showdown in Chicago

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Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum's Top Rank team up again on October 15th for Chicagoland's best professional boxing show of the year as Telefutura's SOLO BOXEO Friday night professional boxing series returns for the second straight month to the Hawthorne Race Course.

Headlining the action packed card is a ten round welterweight bout between former WBC Lightweight Champion, Cesar Bazan, 43-6-1 (29KO's) of Mexico City, Mexico and rugged veteran Francisco Campos, 17-1-1 (9KO's) of Cartago, Costa Rica. Bazan returns to Chicago following his appearance in February of this year, a fight shortened by his opponent Roberto Ortega's continual low blows resulting in a second round disqualification win for Bazan in front of 3,500 fight fans at the sold out De Paul Athletic Center.

Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “the last time Cesar was here, we had some fans who were left out to due us reaching capacity at De Paul. I'd advise fans to contact me as early as possible for tickets to assure entry on the 15th. We're moving this event to the upstairs ballroom at Hawthorne which should enable us to handle the huge crowds which are expected. This past event was terrific but we need more room for this show. About Bazan, Pesoli added, “he was very  disappointed the last Chicago fight was stopped early and he told me he's looking to put on a great show for his large Chicago following.”

The televised co-main event features the quick return to the ring of Chicagoland fan favorite, Illinois State Middleweight Champion, “Macho” Miguel Hernandez, 13-1 (8KO's) in a scheduled eight rounder.

Speaking about the co-main event featuring Chicago favorite Hernandez, Dominic went on “its a great opportunity for Miguel and he's very excited about it. He looked great getting an early stoppage this past Friday, he's worked hard and been successful this whole year and is looking for a quick comeback, this gets him that plus a chance for the whole country to see him fight.”

Also on the huge card is the return of welterweight Luciano “El Gallo Bravo” Perez, 9-1 (8KO's) in a six round bout as he goes back into battle following his war two months ago with Juan Buendia at Hawthorne. In a six round middleweight Chicagoland cross-town showdown, David “The Weezel” Estrada, 6-1 (4KO's) takes on Michael “The Midnight Stalker” Walker, 4-0 (4KO's)

Said Dominic of these two bouts, “Luciano's last bout against Buendia was terrific, maybe the best off TV fight we've had in a long time. He showed a lot of heart in a very close fought battle and that's what our fans expect. Estrada knocked out a very tough kid in Shay Mobley on our ESPN card three months back and he's taking on Walker who I just saw last Friday night in Merrillville, IN when he stopped Nathan Martin, the kid Miguel beat for the title in June. He really took it to Martin right from the opening bell before stopping him in three.

Newcomers Francisco Tafoya, 1-0 (1KO), “Mighty” Ivan Rodriguez, 1-0 and Don “Da Bomb” George, 1-0 (1KO) also return to the 8 Count Productions ring. Stated Dominic, “these new kids all looked terrific on our last couple of cards, they've had great amateur careers and are the future of Chicagoland professional boxing. The fans are in for a real treat watching them start out with their professional careers and 8 Count Productions is very happy to be a part of it. Ivan in particular, was in a war in his first bout in August and showed a lot of guts for a pro debut. George is only 19, but you can tell just watching him that he knows his way around the ring and has a lot of skills. Same thing with
Tafoya, I think he's going to be a very solid pro.

Featherweight Tafoya, takes on Omar Reyes who is making his pro debut. More information on bouts
involving super middleweight George, and bantamweight Rodriguez will be announced shortly.

Making his Chicagoland debut is hard swinging junior welterweight Hector Alejandro, Jr., 9-1 (6KO's) of Buffalo, New York in a scheduled six rounder. Rounding out the huge card is the pro debut of female brawler, junior welterweight Rita Figueroa.

Articles of 2004

2004 Boxing Pound for Pound List

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The final boxing pound-for-pound list of the year for 2004.

1. Bernard Hopkins: The top guy from beginning to end, Hopkins took care of Oscar De La Hoya with a body shot in the biggest fight of 2004. Now, he'll wait for Jermain Taylor to progress a little further, or he'll go the rematch route with Felix Trinidad. Either way, Hopkins stands to earn a lot of money in 2005 and extend that all-time middleweight reign.

2. Floyd Mayweather: How long has it been since we've seen Mayweather in a meaningful fight? Certainly not in 2004, when he outpointed the difficult DeMarcus Corley. He's slated for a January outing against a no-name. Enough stalling, already, “Pretty Boy”. Fight someone we care about (preferably Kostya Tszyu), or you'll lose your #2 position sometime in 2005.

3. Felix Trinidad: “Tito” stormed back with a magnificent knockout of Ricardo Mayorga in 2004, and now hopes to capitalize on it with big money fights. He'd like nothing more than a rematch with his only conqueror, Hopkins, but he may also opt for old nemesis Oscar De La Hoya. Either way, Trinidad is sure to fight a big fight sometime in the coming year.

4. Kostya Tszyu: What a difference one fight makes. As recently as late October, the boxing world was wondering whether Tszyu was even serious about the sport anymore. We found out with a second round demolition of Sharmba Mitchell. And that made the junior welterweight division very attractive. Tszyu has several options now, including Arturo Gatti and Mayweather or even a hop up to welterweight to challenge Cory Spinks. Let's hope one of them happens in 2005.

5. Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao fought twice in 2004, and what a fight the first one was. His thrilling war with Juan Manuel Marquez was the best brawl of the year, and there is a chance that the two rivals will go at it again in 2005. If not, Pacquiao has a list full of options: Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, etc. Pacquiao will fight one of them in the next year.

6. Marco Antonio Barrera: Another guy thought to be washed up when the year started, Barrera resurrected his career for the second time with a masterful victory over Paulie Ayala and a close decision over rival Erik Morales in another great fight. Barrera is obviously shooting for a return with Pacquiao, who decimated him in November 2003. Barrera says it was an off-night. Hopefully, we'll find out if that was the case.

7. Winky Wright: Winky entered the “superstar” realm in 2004 with a pair of decision victories over Shane Mosley. The first was very impressive, as Wright practically shut Mosley out. The second was closer, but proved once again that Winky was the superior fighter. He'd like a shot at Trinidad or Oscar De La Hoya, but neither will happen. He'd probably be best off shooting for a name like Fernando Vargas or Ricardo Mayorga.

8. Juan Manuel Marquez: After several years on the outside looking in, Marquez is finally in a position to make some money after his courageous performance against Pacquiao. He rose from three first-round knockdowns to wage the fight of his life in a fight that was ruled a draw. It would also be interesting to see Marquez against countrymen Barrera and Erik Morales.

9. Erik Morales: “El Terrible” fought another great fight against Barrera, but, again, it was in a losing cause. He has now lost two of three to his fierce rival, and probably wants nothing to do with him anymore. But, eventually, talk of Barrera-Morales 4 will come up again. In the meantime, Morales could shoot for Pacquiao or Marquez.

10. Glencoffe Johnson: The newest entry, Johnson pumped some life into boxing in 2004 with a pair of upsets of Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. Now, he's set to make some really big money in rematches with either, or a shot at old conqueror Hopkins. Either way, Johnson is better than anyone imagined.

11. Jose Luis Castillo: Castillo made some comeback noise of his own in 2004, beating Juan Lazcano for his old vacant title and decisioning Joel Casamayor for another big win. He says he wants Kostya Tszyu next, and if that materializes, boxing fans will be in for a treat. If not, Castillo vs. Diego Corrales is a great fight.

12. Oscar De La Hoya: Hard to erase that picture of De La Hoya grimacing in agony courtesy of a Hopkins shot to the ribs, but the “Golden Boy” had no business fighting at 160 pounds. He should drop down to junior middle or even welterweight again if he has any hope of regaining his past form. But 2005 could be the final year for one of boxing's all-time great attractions.

On the brink: Antonio Tarver, Diego Corrales, James Toney

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Articles of 2004

Heavyweight Joe Mesi Bringing Lawsuit

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As reported by the Buffalo News, Joe Mesi is suing the New York State Athletic Commission and the MRI center that conducted tests on the heavyweight boxer after his bout with Vassiliy Jirov. Mesi reportedly suffered brain injuries in the Jirov bout, which has left his boxing status uncertain.

The lawsuit alleges Mesi's medical records were improperly released to the NYSAC. The records, the lawsuit goes on to allege, were then released to the media, prejudicing Mesi's right to have his status reviewed by the appropriate boxing authorities.

The lawsuit does not seek specific monetary damages, as the extent of damages will be affected by whether Mesi is able to resume his career as a leading heavyweight contender.

Mesi hopes to have his status reviewed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission within the coming month. The ruling of the NSAC promises to be key in whether Mesi will be able to resume his boxing career.

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Articles of 2004

The Best in Chicago Boxing Returns

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Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum's Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite presents SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER, THE ARAGON RUMBLE, another installment of The Best in Chicago Boxing on Friday, January 14th, broadcast live internationally as part of Telefutura's Friday night professional boxing series.

The newly remodeled Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. near the corner of Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood and is easily accessible, just 4 blocks west of Lake Shore Drive and just 4 miles east of the Kennedy expressway. There are three large parking lots located within a 1/2 block of the Aragon Ballroom. Additionally, the Howard Street Blue Line stops just across the street. Doors will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm.

Headlining the action packed card is the American debut of super-bantamweight Ricardo “PIOLO” Castillo, 12-2 (6KO's) of Mexicali, Mexico as he squares off in a scheduled ten rounder against WBO Latino Champion, Edel Ruiz, 24-12-3 (13KO's) of Los Mochis, SI, Mexico. Castillo will be accompanied to the ring by his brother, World Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo.

In the co-main event of the evening, one of Chicago's most popular fighters, middleweight “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez, 14-1 (9KO's), battles hard swinging local veteran “MARVELOUS” Shay Mobley, 7-4-1 (2KO's), of One In a Million Inc.in a scheduled eight rounder.

The huge undercard bouts include;

Carlos Molina vs TBA, six rounds, junior middleweights
Frankie Tafoya vs TBA, four rounds, featherweights
Ottu Holified vs. Allen Medina, four rounds, middleweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. LaShaun Blair, four rounds, bantamweights
Rita Figueroa vs. Sarina Hayden, four rounds, junior welterweights

Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “it was a terrific evening last month and our fans were thrilled to be at the Aragon to watch David, Speedy and Luciano. David Diaz's fight against Jaime Rangel was a fight people will talk about for a long time. Our commitment to our fans is to make every event of ours better than the last one. This main event is terrific, both guys are very tough Mexicans who won't take a step back.

The fans love Miguel and Mobley figures to be a very tough opponent. Him and David Estrada had a six round war last June at our show. And the undercard showcases a lot of new, younger talent that is coming out of Chicago right now. Tafoya and Holifield have both had very successful beginnings to their careers and Francisco Rodriguez comes with fantastic amateur credentials and David Diaz says he has all the talent to be a great pro.”

“We've got big plans for 2005 and this show should take up right where last months show left off. The huge crowd loved the action last time and I'm sure they'll say the same thing this time.”

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