Looking to improve on his already considerable skills, undefeated Cuban featherweight prospect and current WBO Inter-Continental champion Luis “La Estrella” Franco (9-0, 5 KOs) is currently hard at work at SoMi Fitness in his hometown of Miami with world-renowned strength and conditioning coach Willie Del Sol and dietician Unni Greene.
In addition to his daily boxing routine, Franco has remained devoted to a fitness program specially designed to increase his punching power and stamina.
According to Franco’s manager, Henry Foster, There is always room for improvement in any fighter, no matter how proficient. “Franco has only nine professional fights. His great skill as an amateur must now be refined and honed so he can perform in the pros to the best of his ability. He is already one of the best in the world at hand speed, defense and ring generalship. When more power is added to his already extremely accurate punching, he will be indeed the complete package, and we hope, a new world champion in his weight class.”
Franco is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.
JAIME HERRERA RETURNS AT WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, FRIDAY, MAY 20TH AT THE UIC PAVILION
CHICAGO, IL (May 9, 2011) Chicago fan favorite Jaime Herrera returns to battle against Indianapolis’ Eric Draper in a six round welterweight tilt at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 on Friday, May 20th.
WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, an action packed evening of world class professional boxing is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
The 21 year old Herrera, 5-1-0 (3KO’s), is looking to bounce back from the first loss of his career, a second round stoppage at the hands of Alex De Leon on January 28th at the UIC Pavilion.
A native of Indianapolis, Draper, 4-4-0 (1KO), has won three in a row against excellent competition with a combined
record of 17-4-0.
Herrera and Draper have fought previously with the Franklin Park native winning a four round unanimous decision on April 30, 2010 at the UIC Pavilion.
“Jaime is coming off his first loss but is very excited to get back in action and back in the win column. He made no excuses for getting stopped against De Leon and is coming back against a very confident fighter” said Pesoli.
“Draper is on a roll; he’s fought Jaime before and believes he can beat him. This should be a sensational six round bout.”
WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 is headlined by a ten round light heavyweight bout between Chicago’s Polish Prince, Andrzej Fonfara and Anthony Russell for the vacant WBO NABO title.
Tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, priced at $100, $75, $50 and $30 are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, the UIC Pavilion Boxing 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 George, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca, Adrian Granados and Ramiro Carrillo along with welterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.
For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit www.8countproductions.com
Double-header heavyweight titles featured May 27 for Friday Night Fights at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
DOVER, Del. — Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will present two heavyweight championship bouts on Friday, May 27 in the Rollins Center arena. Headlining for the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation Heavyweight Title are Franklin “Yah-Yah” Lawrence, 14(9)-2-2, of Indianapolis, Ind. and Jason “The Sensation” Gavern, 20(9)-7-4 of Kissimmee, Fla. This bout is scheduled for 12 rounds.
The co-headline event of the night will feature local phenomenon Amir “Hard Core” Mansour appearing in the first championship bout of his career for the WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. Mansour, from Wilmington, Del. via his hometown of Penns Grove, NJ, made a remarkable return last August from a lengthy hiatus, beefing his record to 13 hard-hitting wins, ten by knockout, and no losses.
“I am very excited about returning to Dover to fight for my first, but not last, title belt,” said Amir Mansour. “Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is a special place for me, and I plan on giving their great boxing fans my best effort.” Mansour will face off against Raymond “King Kong” Ochieng of Nairobi, Kenya, with a record of 23(18)-13(9)-3.
The undercard features super middleweight “Mighty” Mike Tiberi, 16(7)-1 of Smyrna, Del., scheduled for eight rounds and featherweight “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey, 5(1)-0 of Brooklyn, N.Y. Omarr Douglass of Wilmington, Del. will make his debut in a four round super featherweight bout.
Also confirmed on the card is light heavyweight “The Bull” Anthony “Caputo” Smith of Kennett Square, Pa. With a clean record of 9(7)-0, Smith has drawn a loyal local following and brings a large entourage of fans from both Pa. and Del. Cruiserweight Dan “Bada Bing” Biddle 6(4)-1 of Hockessin, Del. is scheduled for four rounds. Opponents are to be announced soon. Nick Tiberi is the matchmaker.
Tickets are still available from $40 to $200 and may be purchased at 800-711-5882 or www.doverdowns.com. The first bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Will call will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.