08.06.04 – Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Bobby Hitz Boxing Promotions will present a sensational championship fight card on Friday, June 25, 2004, in the Grand Ballroom at the Ramada Plaza Hotel O’Hare, located at 6600 N. Mannheim Road in Rosemont, Illinois. The fights will be televised on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
In the main event, Felix “Bad News” Cora Jr., 13-0-2, with 7 knockouts, of Galveston, Texas, will fight Michael “Famous” Simms, 13-1-1, with 11 knockouts, of Sacramento, California, for the vacant United States Boxing Association cruiserweight title, scheduled for 12 rounds.
This is the rematch. Felix and Michael fought to a 10-round draw in Chicago on March 15, 2003. It was an exciting, fast-paced battle – after five rounds, Felix led by scores of 50-45, 49-46 Cora, 48-47 Simms, but Michael rallied in the second half of the fight and after 10 rounds, the judges scored 96-94 Cora, 96-95 Simms, 95-95. Both were accomplished amateurs, and they fought twice then, as well – once in the 2000 Olympic Trials and once in the 2000 U.S. Nationals, with Simms winning decisions both times.
In the co-featured bout, North American Boxing Federation super lightweight champion Terrance “Heat” Cauthen, 25-1, with 7 knockouts, of Trenton, New Jersey, will defend the title against Omar “Tito” Weis, 36-4-3, with 16 knockouts, a native of Argentina now living in Los Angeles, California. This scheduled 12-rounder will also be an eliminator for the International Boxing Federation’s number-two world ranking.
More exciting bouts will complete the card, and feature some of Chicago’s top boxing talent. Super middleweight Oscar Bravo, NABF jr. middleweight champion Fernando Hernandez, welterweight Jermaine “Money” Marks, and heavyweight Carl “Ironfist” Davis, will all appear in separate fights.
All bouts are subject to change without notice.
Doors open at 6:30 P.M., first fight at 7:00 P.M. Central Time.
Ticket prices: $35 – general admission, $50 – reserved ringside, and $100 – VIP reserved ringside.
Tickets can be purchased by telephone at Hitz Boxing – 630-295-9800, or online at www.hitzboxing.com