Boxing News: Lightening Strikes at Cicero Stadium April 21

Polish heavyweight prospect Art Binkowki will face tough Benton Harbor, MI native Tipton Walker in a special attraction bout just added to the LIGHTNING STRIKES April 21 fight card at Cicero Stadium, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.

Art Binkowki, aka The Polish Warrior, is making his return to the ring after a ten month layoff. He was sorely missed, but for good reason. He took time off to portray Corn Griffin in last year’s “Cinderella Man.” the story of heavyweight champion Jim Braddock. Braddock stopped Griffin with a TKO in the third round on June 14, 1934, at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island City.

Binkowski’s portrayal of Griffin was noted by Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee and Academy Award winners Ron Howard and Russell Crowe for its authenticity.

Although Binkowski, 14-1-2 (9 KOs) has fought previously in Chicago, this is his first appearance for 8 Count Productions. His last bout in Chicago was a draw with fellow contender with Charles Hatcher on November 24, 2004.

Walker’s return to the ring is eagerly anticipated after his last performance for 8 Count, a dramatic fourth TKO demolition of then-highly regarded Chicago contender Chris Thomas.

“Art’s been off for a while with the movie,” said Pesoli of the big Binkowski bout,“but he’s in tough right off the bat with Walker. This is a terrific matchup. Both guys are very heavy-handed and will be throwing hard leather from the opening. It’s a real fight fans bout, as it’s only a six rounder, they’ll be throwing bombs early and often.”

Pesoli said Binkowski’s “been a solid prospect for a while and a big draw to the Polish fans here in Chicago. Walker’s annihilation of Thomas was the night Jorge Paez fought on our show at DePaul and we had about 3,500 fans there that night. While they no doubt enjoyed seeing Paez, I’m sure they still remember the hard-punching Walker.”

The Binkowski/Walker fight is part of an eight bout action-packed card at Cicero Stadium.

The records of the fighters on the April 21 show are :

Michael Walker, 10-0-1 (8), vs. TBA, middleweights, eight rounds
Art Binkowski, 14-1-2 (9) vs. Tipton Walker, 13-12-1 (6), heavyweights, six rounds
Jorge Gonzalez, 4-0 vs. Rashad Holloway, 3-1 (2), super welterweights, six rounds
Omar Reyes, 2-2 vs. Darby Smart, 9-3 (4), featherweights, six rounds
Emanuel Hernandez, 5-2 (1) vs. Jeff Curran, 1-0 (1), super lightweights, six rounds
Rafal Jackiewicz, 19-8 (10) vs. TBA, welterweights, six rounds
Nora Reyes, 1-0 vs. TBA, featherweights, four rounds
Christina Christian, 4-0 (4) vs. TBA, heavyweights, four rounds

Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. Tickets, starting at $30 are on sale in advance by calling 312-226-5800.

To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and the 6,000 square foot JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com