Boxing News: Vargas Undercard Announced

Main Event and 8 Count Productions are proud to announce final details of the undercard of “Return to Battle,” Chicagoland's biggest professional boxing event of 2005 at the Allstate Arena this Saturday, August 20th.

“Return to Battle” is headlined by two time junior middleweight champion “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas of Oxnard, California facing former junior middleweight champion Javier Castillejo of Madrid, Spain in a twelve-round fight.

In addition to the Vargas-Castillejo bout, fight fans will also be treated to a second 12 round battle as undefeated WBC #1 ranked contender Rocky Juarez challenges WBC #2 ranked contender Humberto Soto for the WBC interim featherweight championship.

The undercard is headed by the Chicago debut of world ranked welterweight knockout artist Joel Julio, 23-0 (20 KOs) of Monteria, Columbia in a scheduled eight-rounder against Christopher “Shaka” Henry, 19-11 (13 KOs) of Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados.

The heavy-handed Julio is ranked #12 by the World Boxing Organization and #14 by the World Boxing Council, and in April of this year he knocked out former world title challenger Carlos Vilchis in the third round. Henry has fought numerous world champions and contenders including Junior Witter, Manuel Gomez, Thomas Damgaard, Joshua Clottey and Joachim Alcine.

Chicago fan favorite and 1996 US Olympic teammate of Fernando Vargas, junior welterweight David Diaz, 27-1 (15 KOs), will also appear on the undercard as he challenges tough veteran John Trigg, 12-28-5 (3 KOs) of Atlanta, GA. Diaz is looking to stay on the winning track in his second bout since his disappointing loss to Kendall Holt in February. Two months ago Diaz stopped Tyrone Wiggins in the third round in St. Louis, Missouri.

Trigg has fought tough competition his whole career including recent battles with contenders and highly regarded prospects Chad Brisson, Hector Alejandro Jr., Damien Fuller, Kendall Holt, Americo Santos, Oscar Diaz, Andre Eason, Gary Balletto, Justo Sencion and Paul Delgado. He has also faced current world lightweight champion Juan Diaz, as well as former world champions Nate Campbell and Roberto Garcia.

There are five other bouts on the action-packed card featuring welterweights Henry Crawford (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. Gilberto Venegas (8-1, 5 KOs); heavyweights BJ Flores (12-0 8 KOs) vs. Nate Zeikle (12-5, 7 KOs); heavyweights Daniel Cervantes (7-0) vs. Nelson Romine (4-1); lightweights David Pareja (5-1, 1 KO) vs. Gregory Holmes (2-3, 1 KO); and light heavyweights Kendall Gill (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Jason Medina (0-1).

The Vargas-Castillejo bout is being promoted by Main Events in association with Rimer Box, Miller Lite, Sportsbook.com, and 8 Count Productions.

The Juarez-Soto bout is being promoted by Main Events, in association with Guilty Boxing, Inc, Miller Lite, Sportsbook.com and 8 Count Productions.

Ticket prices start at $27 and are available in advance by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.