CHICAGO, IL (November 16, 2010) Undefeated Mexican junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca is hard at work in Chicago wrapping up training for his last bout of the year this Friday night, November 19th at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 13 at the UIC Pavilion.
Featured in an eight rounder bout against Toledo , Ohio veteran Martin Tucker, 7-6-0 (3KO’s), fan favorite Popoca, 14-0-1 (10KO’s), is solely focused on the task at hand. However, speaking after a recent training session at JABB Boxing Gym, the aggressive, all-action Guerrero, Mexico native allowed himself to look ahead to 2011.
“I know what I have to do against Tucker, he’s a real solid, durable guy who’s fought and beat some good fighters. I’ve worked hard and have had terrific sparring for this fight and I’ll be ready on Friday night. The UIC Pavilion is like my living room so I’m very comfortable there..”
Popoca’s last five bouts have come in front of huge crowds at the UIC Pavilion, all victories, including the marquee bout of his almost four year professional career, a fifth round stoppage of Jose Luis Soto-Karass on May 29th, an outstanding action bout which was broadcast internationally on TOP RANK LIVE.
Although down hard in the fourth round, Popoca willed himself to victory in the following stanza, blasting out Soto-Karass with a terrific combination to the head and body.
“There was a lot at stake in that fight. I knew I had to win or else I’d probably be back at square one” said Popoca.
Speaking about his future, Popoca said, ‘It’s really one fight at a time, but I’m looking forward to the new year. I’m headed to ten rounders and I want to fight any of the other undefeated prospects either at 135 or 140.”
“With my strength and conditioning, I feel that I can compete at the highest level and I’m ready to make a move.”
Promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions since his pro debut, 2011 looks to be a huge year for Popoca.
In addition to Popoca, the action packed ten bout card at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 13 features light heavyweight Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara, welterweight Jaime Herrera, light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev, junior middleweight Donatas Bondoravas, heavyweight David Latoria, junior welterweight Antonio Canas, junior welterweight Ramiro Carrillo, junior welterweight Genaro Mendez and super middleweight Mike Jimenez.
Advance tickets, starting at $31 are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.
Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan “DA BOMB” George, junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, featherweight Jose Hernandez, welterweight Jaime Herrera and junior middleweight Luciano Perez.
In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia, opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com