CHICAGO, IL (April 17, 2009) Sensational junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca will face Canadian veteran Sebastien Hamel on April 24th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion in a scheduled six round bout, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING..
The Popoca/Hamel bout is part of ESPN2’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS card presented by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and 8 Count Productions. Headlining the terrific night of world class professional boxing is an outstanding junior featherweight twelve round bout between EL Paso native and Chicago fan favorite Antonio Escalante and New York City’s Gary “KID” Stark.
Said Pesoli, “It’s going to be a terrific night of fights on April 24th and I’m very happy to add Ivan to the card. With his aggressive all action style, the fans in Chicago have really taken to him since he turned pro two years ago.”
A native of Guerrero, Mexico, now living in Chicago, Popoca, 11-0-1 with seven knockouts is coming off his finest win to date, a sixth round unanimous decision win over Daniel Garcia on January 23rd at Cicero Stadium.
Finishing up a heated sparring session with welterweight contender David Estrada, Popoca spoke about the coming year; “This is my last six rounder, after this I want an eight rounder on TV. Whether it’s a fight in Chicago or if I have to go on the road, I want to fight another undefeated prospect or someone people feel are better than me.”
Said Pesoli “Now that’s he dropped down to junior welterweight Ivan has retained his speed and power and should be even more effective and successful. Daniel Garcia was a strong, skilled fighter and Ivan really won the battle on the inside” said Pesoli of the six round bout.
“Ideally, I’d like to get Ivan in an ESPN2 co-main or something on Azteca America or Shobox. He’s ready, he’s proven himself. Give him a month to prepare and he’ll go anywhere and fight any other junior welterweight prospect. The fans in Chicago know how good he is and we’re ready to prove it to the rest of the country” said Pesoli.
Popoca is guided by Chicago based trainer Mike “FLY” Garcia. “Mike’s really been working with me on being smart in the ring. He wants me to box a little more, don’t fall in love with my power so much and he’s right about that. It doesn’t mean the knockout won’t happen, it just means we’ll take a little more time and a few less chances.”
The 29 year old Hamel brings a record of 10-17-1 (1KO) into the battle with Popoca.
Said Pesoli, “Hamel will be a tough test for Ivan, he’s a lot more experienced and has fought very good competition throughout his career.”
Tickets, starting at $31, for can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Online: www.ticketmaster.com, Phone: 312-559-1212) and through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800. Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7:30pm with the first bell at 8:30pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 N. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine in the downtown West Loop area of Chicago.
In the co-main event, sensational super middleweight prospect Daniel ‘THE GOLDEN CHILD” Jacobs, 14-0 (13KO’s) of Brookyn, New York, will face Jose “TERRIBLE” Varela, 23-5-0 (16KO’s) in the eight round co-main event.
Rounding out the card is 2008 U.S. Olympian Deontay “THE BRONZE BOMBER” Wilder, and Chicago natives; lightweight veteran Leo Martinez and newcomer Noe Perez. Also featured on the undercard will be pro debuters; junior welterweight Ramiro Carillo and Nigerian heavyweight Enobong Umohette.
Further information on this event will be announced shortly.
Further details for the UIC Pavilion, including directions, can be obtained through their website at www.uicpavilion.com
Larry Donald a promotional free agent!
Former 1992 Olympian Larry Donald is now a promotional free agent and ready to get back on track and challenge anybody in the heavyweight division.
Donald, 42-5 was last seen in the pro ring in June of 2007 when he went to Russia on a week notice to fight the highly ranked contender Alexander Povetkin and became the first man to take him the ten round distance.
“I am so glad to be free out of my contract and finally be able to hopefully get some fights.
I haven’t been in the ring in a while but have been training very hard and in camp with many top guys for the last two years, I haven’t went anywhere, haven’t retired just been out of the pro ring but it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been working hard because I have.
I just want to get in with the best fighters and show everyone that I still have what it takes to capture a title, I am still here and will not go away until I get my due, a shot for a championship!”
The Cincinnati, Ohio based fighter now residing in Jacksonville, Florida has had an extensive career in the amateurs and as a pro, in the 1992 World Championships he won the gold medal with a victory over the same man who ended up beating him in the 1992 Olympics and claiming that gold, the late Roberto Balado.
After the games Donald skyrocketed on the scene in only his 16th fight going the full twelve rounds against a prime Riddick Bowe, Donald was only the second man besides Evander Holyfield to take Bowe the full route at that time.
Since that time Donald has fought the likes of Tim Witherspoon, Kirk Johnson, Ray Austin, Evander Holyfield, Nikolay Valuev and the before mentioned Povetkin.
“I will prove to the world that I still have the skill and am the one of the best heavyweight boxers in the world, I always stay in shape, eat right and feel great, I just need the chance to shine”
Gleason’s Gym proudly Presents It’s Famous Annual “Fantasy Boxing Camp”
The Gleason’s Gym 7th Annual Fantasy Boxing Camp will be at Kutsher’s Country Club in Monticello, New York over the Labor Day Weekend, September 4 through September 7, 2009.
The camp is open for anybody that likes boxing. Our youngest attendee was 12 and our oldest attendee was 76. There are professional and amateur boxers and businessmen and women boxers, and just plain fans of boxing that attend.
There will be four days of intense training with some of boxing’s greatest champions. Join Carlos Ortiz, Emile Griffith, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Juan LaPorte, Alicia Ashley, Melissa Hernandez, Hector Roca, Yuri Foreman, Martin Gonzalez, Terry Southerland and others training and fun at this year’s camp.
There is limited space for our 2009 Fantasy Boxing Camp. Please make your reservations early. The deadline is August 8, 2009. A $500 non-refundable deposit will secure a place at the camp. The balance of the payment must be made by August 15, 2009.
Contact Bruce Silverglade at Gleason’s Gym for further information: (718) 797 2872 or bruce@gleasonsgym.net.
$1800 per person (based on two per room)
$2500 per person plus one guest (guest not attending the camp)
$3100 per person plus two guests (guests not attending the camp)
$2100 per person (private room)
THE HISTORY OF GLEASON’S GYM
Gleason’s Gym is the oldest active boxing gym in theUnited States. We have trained 131 World Champions, two Olympic Gold Medallists and hundreds of amateur champions. The current 16,000 square foot facility on Front Street sits in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. Many great champions have plied their craft at Gleason’s Gym. Our “Hall of Fame” includes Jake La Motta “The Raging Bull”, Ali, Tyson, Jones, LaPorte, Breland. Gleason’s Gym is proud to be the home of Light Welterweight World Champion Paulie Malignaggi.
BOXING CAMP
If you like baseball you cannot go to Yankee Stadium and train with the Yankees, nor can you go to Madison Square Garden and shoot hoops with the Knicks. Boxing is the only sport where you can actually train next to champions and top contenders. We are offering you that same opportunity with our annual Fantasy Boxing Camp. Your camp will include intensive boxing discussions, coaching sessions, ring craft, sparring and training drills. At the end of the camp you will have the chance to showcase your newfound skills in our Fantasy Camp Sparring Show. Our camp will give you the chance to learn from World class trainers such as Hector Roca, Olympic Gold Medallist & World Champion Mark Breland, 5 Time World Champion Carlos Ortiz and 2 Time World Champion Juan LaPorte amongst others. Professional and Amateur sparring partners will also be available to help with your training. Men, Women and children are all welcome. No previous boxing experience is necessary-we cater to all skill levels.