As part of their 10 year anniversary, Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, has announced plans to honor Rocky Martinez and Mike “Fly” Garcia this Friday night, February 15 at Cicero Stadium with both being inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame as part of the “Celebration” boxing event.
Said Pesoli, “Rocky and Mike have been members of the 8 Count family right from the start as both appeared on our first card, February 20, 1998 at the Park West Theater.
“While both are now retired, they have stayed very active with 8 Count and Chicago boxing and have always been true credits to the sport. With the ten year anniversary we wanted to start our Hall of Fame and were honored to begin with these most worthy inductees.
“Given the popularity Rocky and Mike have always had and the terrific fights on this card, we’re expecting a huge crowd for this event and I’d encourage fans to obtain tickets in advance.”
Born in Acapulco, Mexico, Rocky Martinez was a three time world title challenger who was not only incredibly popular in Chicago but also fought in high profile fights all over the world.
His colorful career included battles in South Africa, France, Puerto Rico, England, Germany and Denmark, but he always maintained a huge, loyal following in Chicago.
Martinez’s crowd pleasing style was a throwback to earlier times in the sport as he was a tough, skilled warrior who would fight anyone, anywhere. Martinez finished his illustrious and memorable thirteen year career in April 2005 with a record of 40-12-1 (20KO’s).
Mike “Fly” Garcia was a highly skilled featherweight contender whose career was cut short due to elbow injuries. Starting with his pro debut in October 1992, Garcia consistently thrilled the Chicagoland fight crowds with his world class skills and fast, heavy hands.
On the first 8 Count Productions card, Garcia highlighted the event by defeating Carmelo Negron, winning a ten round unanimous decision while capturing the Illinois State Super Featherweight title.
Since he retired, Garcia has become a much sought after trainer, counting WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz, heavyweight contender Mike Mollo, UFC star Andrei Arlovski, International Fight League’s Mike Miller, NBA star turned professional boxer Kendall Gill and boxing prospects such as Ivan Popoca amongst his clients, along with a host of amateur and white collar boxers at JABB Boxing Gym.
Garcia’s six year career ended with a record of 26-0 with eighteen knockouts.
“Celebration”, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
Tickets for “Celebration” are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
The full fight card for “Celebration” is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Alejandro Perez vs. Torrence Daniels, eight rounds, super bantamweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, four rounds, junior welterweights
The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, “Celebration” is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The Solo Boxeo Tecate broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for “Celebration” will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. 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.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
www.toprank.com
