(AUG 26) Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated in association with Miller Lite and TCF Bank are proud to announce further details of VIVA MEXICO, a Chicagoland celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16th at the Aragon Ballroom.
Headlining VIVA MEXICO, televised internationally on Univision’s Friday Night Professional Boxing Series, SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER, is four time world champion, known worldwide as one of the sport’s most charismatic fighters, Johnny ‘MI VIDA LOCA” Tapia. Blood and guts warrior, Tapia, 55-4-2 (28KO’s) of Albuquerque, New Mexico is currently ranked # 6 by the WBO and # 13 by the WBA and is continuing his climb back to another world title shot. His seventeen year Hall of Fame career includes wins over world champions and contenders including Hugo Soto, Danny Romero, Carlos Hernandez, Jorge Julio, Cesar Soto, Manuel Medina and Carlos Contereas. He also has fought former world champion Paulie Ayala twice, losing very close fiery all out wars both times by decision.
His last bout, an internationally televised brutal battle with Frankie Archuleta on April 15, 2005, saw Tapia avenge an earlier loss to the younger, physically stronger Archuleta. Despite a closed left eye, Tapia would gut out a ten round decision, closing the show in championship style by sweeping the last three rounds. This will be Tapia’s first Chicagoland appearance in his epic career.
Co-headlining the action packed evening is hot bantamweight prospect, Raul “The Cobra” Martinez, 9-0 (6KO’S) of San Antonio, TX who will be featured in a scheduled eight rounder. Lightning fast Martinez, promoted by Kathy Duva’s Main Events, has quickly turned heads in the national press with his recent appearances on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. In his most recent bout, the 23 year old, two time U.S. National Amateur Champion and 2004 Olympic Team quarterfinalist, won a unanimous decision over Benito Abraham before a huge hometown crowd in San Antonio. Prior to that, Martinez opened the Main Events/ESPN PPV on April 23rd of this year beating Jose Alfredo Tirado at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.
Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “It’s an honor to have Johnny Tapia fight on our show. Our loyal fans have truly been able to witness some of the best fighters in the world over the last eight years since we started. It was thrilling to co-promote Fernando Vargas’ Return to Battle event at the Allstate Arena last week with Main Events. I’ve seen Raul Martinez on TV a couple of times and he’s the name people are talking about in the boxing world as the next superstar in the lower weights.
The terrific undercard features the long awaited return to the ring of super middleweight KO artist, Oscar Bravo, 22-2 (19KO’s). Bravo was last seen in Chicago on February 25th of this year pummeling
Joseph Brady to a first round knockout. Also on the undercard is Chicagoland fan favorite, heavy handed super bantamweight Francisco Rodriguez, 4-0 (4KO’s). Francisco’s last bout was a stunning second round knockout over Danny Esquivel this past June at the 8 Count Productions’ Fists of Freedom event.
Female sensation Rita Figueroa, 4-0 (2KO’s) will also return to the ring in a scheduled four rounder. Rita’s last bout was a first round knockout win over Jasmine Davis this past June 25th at the Aragon Ballroom.
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