Boxing News: Solo Boxeo in Chicago on Friday July 15

CHICAGO (June 28, 2005) — Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions along with Bob Arum's Top Rank Incorporated and Miller Lite presents another installment of THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING as SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER/NIGHT OF THUNDER takes place at the Aragon Ballroom on Friday, July 15, 2005.

Headlining the huge evening is a terrific twelve round featherweight bout between world-ranked veterans Hector Velasquez, 41-10-2 (30 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico and Aldo Valtierra, 22-7 (12 KOs), of Mexico City.

Velasquez, ranked #10 by the World Boxing Council, is on a four-bout winning streak, including a stoppage of highly regarded Marcos Licona this past February. Velasquez also holds wins over contenders Ubaldo Hernandez, Guty Espadas and Armando Cordob,a as well very tough decision losses to world champions Israel Vazquez, Rocky Juarez, Kevin Kelley and Orlando Soto over his illustrious twelve year career.

On April 8, 2001, the very tough Velasquez was involved in a brutal bout with current IBF champion Robbie Peden on an 8 Count Productions FOX Sports Net televised main event at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, IL, a fight that was stopped in the ninth round due to a massive cut suffered by the hard-swinging Mexican from an accidental headbutt which resulted in a technical decision loss.

Valtierra looks to continue his winning ways as he comes off a ninth round stoppage of previously undefeated contender Ernie Zepeda on May 5, 2005, a bout dominated by Valtierra from start to finish as seen on ESPN2's Tuesday Night Fights boxing series.

Five years ago the extremely aggressive Valtierra was involved in a bloody slugfest with Antonio “Chelo” Diaz on an 8 Count Productions card at the Grand Victoria Casino which had the packed house on their feet from start to finish. Although dropping a very close decision, Valtierra earned the respect of the loyal Chicago boxing fans with his gutsy performance. In November of 2004, Valtierra returned to the 8 Count Productions ring losing a hard fought decision to world ranked Steven Luevano at the Hawthorne Race Track on a SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER internationally televised card.

“This fight truly embodies the warrior spirit of boxing,” said promoter Dominic Pesoli. “Both of these guys, Velasquez and Valtierra, are known for being very aggressive … as our fans have seen before.”

The co-main event features Chicagoland's most popular fighter, “Macho” Miguel Hernandez, who will appear in a ten round middleweight bout. The classy Hernandez looks to continue his winning ways and show the international viewing audience as well as the huge legion of Chicagoland fight fans his ascent to the world rankings. More information on this bout will be announced shortly.

The terrific undercard is anchored by a middleweight six round Chicagoland cross-showdown grudge match between heavy-handed Jimmy Gonzalez, 2-0 (2 KOs), and Michael “The Midnight Stalker” Walker, 7-0 (5 KOs), of Merrillville, Indiana. Although never having met in the amateurs, both  prospects are looking to stamp themselves as the best young middleweight in the Chicago area.

Gonzalez has thrilled 8 Count Productions crowds with two devastating knockouts this year, while Walker has built a reputation in Indiana and Illinois for his all out aggressive style. Said promoter Dominic Pesoli: “They really don't care for each other. They weren't able to settle it in the amateurs so they're both throwing down the gauntlet on July 15th at the Aragon.”

A special six-round attraction features hot lightweight prospect Carney Bowman, 6-0 (3 KOs) of York, PA against Jamie Alvarado, 3-2-2 (2 KOs), of Fort Wayne, IN. Bowman scored a stunning first round knockout of Leroy Newton on April 22, 2005 at the 8 Count Productions SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER event at the Cicero Stadium. Alvarado is riding a three fight winning streak since his bout with Tommy Bach-Pyle, a four round slugfest which resulted in a draw on December 10, 2004 at the Aragon Ballroom.

Bach-Pyle, 2-0-1 (1 KO) of Buffalo Grove, IL returns to the 8 Count Productions ring on the huge undercard with a four round lightweight bout against hot Milwaukee prospect Mike Gonzalez, 1-0 (1 KO) in a scheduled four-rounder.

Rounding out the card will be a four round heavyweight bout featuring Carl “Iron Fist” Davis, 7-2 (6 KOs) of Evanston, IL. More information on this bout will be announced shortly.

“It's a great card from top to bottom. Boxing fans can see world ranked veterans like Velasquez and Villareal, a true contender like Miguel and more of the young breed of Chicagoland fighters. Today's prospects, tomorrow's contenders — just like we say,” said Pesoli. “The Gonzalez-Walker fight should be great as should the rest of the card with Bach-Pyle versus the new kid Gonzalez from Milwaukee. Bowman and Alvarado should be a slugfest and I'm looking forward to seeing Carl Davis on the show. We haven't had a local heavyweight fight on our show in a long time.”

Tickets, starting at $25 are on sale now by calling 312-226-5800 or by visiting Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Avenue and 4800 North (near the corner of Lawrence Ave. and Broadway), 5 miles north of Downtown Chicago and 4 blocks west of Lake Shore Drive. For further directions, please visit their website at www.aragon.com