Sensational super middleweight prospect Daniel Jacobs will face Nicaraguan veteran Jose Varela in the co-main event on ESPN2’S Friday Night Fights Friday, April 24 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

The 22 year old Brooklyn, New York raised Jacobs has quickly made an impact as an outstanding prospect since turning professional in December 2007. With his fast, powerful hands, Jacobs has stopped nine of his opponents in the first round.

This will be Jacobs’ second trip to Chicago, as the former two-time National Golden Gloves Champion and U.S. Amateur Champion previously knocked out Hector Lopez in the first round on January 25, 2008 at Cicero Stadium in his second pro bout.

The 31 year old Varela, now living in Los Angeles, has faced numerous highly regarded prospects and contenders including Edison Miranda, Joel Julio, Richard Gutierrez and Marco Antonio Rubio.

His biggest win was over former world title challenger Manuel Gomez by twelve round unanimous decision on October 13, 2006.

Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “Jacobs is amongst the finest prospects in boxing and we’re thrilled to bring him back. For boxing fans in Chicago, this is truly a must-see fighter.”

Headlining the outstanding fight card is a terrific twelve round junior featherweight match up between El Paso’s Antonio Escalante and Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. from Staten Island, NY.

On the undercard, making his Chicago debut is 2008 U.S. Olympian Deontay Wilder, the only United States boxing medallist from the 2008 Beijing Games, who will see action in a four round bout.

The Tuscaloosa, Alabama heavyweight has won his first three fights in dramatic knockout fashion and is thought by many to be the American heavyweight of the future.

The 23 year old Wilder, 3-0 (3), is trained by 1984 U.S. Olympic Gold Medallist and former welterweight world champion, Mark Breland.

Also returning to the ring will be Chicago favorite, Ivan Popoca. The junior welterweight, 9-0-1 (7), has thrilled the Windy City fight fans with his heavy hands and aggressive style.

In his last bout, he won an early career defining battle over Daniel Garcia by unanimous decision in a six round bout.

Also on the card will be newcomer, 2008 Chicago Golden Gloves champion Noe Perez, who will see action in a four round junior lightweight bout.

The younger brother of “blood and guts” warrior, Luciano Perez, Noe won his first bout on December 12, stopping Elijah Linder in the second round at Cicero Stadium.

Rounding out the undercard will be junior welterweight Ramiro Carillo and Nigerian heavyweight Enobong Umohette who will each make their pro debut in four round bouts.

Presented by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, tickets, starting at $31, 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.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Main Events Boxing: Julio vs. Varela For WBO Latin Title

  The August 13 bout between Joel Julio and Jose Varela will now be sanctioned as the WBO 154 lb. Latin Title, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy >
  
  

• Jim Jacobs Boxing Memorabilia Goes To Auction

  

  Until his death in 1988 from leukemia, legendary boxing manager and former world handball champion Jim Jacobs was one of the world's formost collectors of boxing memorabilia. Jim's wife Loraine >
  
  

• Main Events Boxing: Joel Julio To Face Jose Varela August 13 In Florida

  WBC/IBF #4 ranked junior middleweight contender Joel Julio will headline an August 13, 2008, fight card from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, it was announced >
  
  

• Star Boxing Hires Brad Jacobs As Senior Vice President

  Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is proud to announce the hiring of Brad Jacobs as its new Senior Vice-President of Operations and Development. Jacobs comes to Star Boxing after a successful >
  
  

• Golden Boy Boxing: Prospect Jacobs Gets Smith Test August 22

  Through 17 professional fights, Daniel "The Golden Child" Jacobs has passed all of his tests with flying colors, winning each bout impressively against increasingly tougher opposition. On Saturday, August >
  
  

• Boxing Prospect Daniel Jacobs Headlines ESPN Show June 26

  On Friday, June 26th, fight fans at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona will get a first-hand look at the brightest young stars in the boxing universe. Undefeated middleweight Daniel >
  
  

• Boxing News: Varela-Gomez Headlines Oct. 13 Show in Las Vegas

  The WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title fight between defending champion Jose "Temible" Varela and former world title challenger Manuel "Shotgun" Gomez headlines "Friday Night Fights," promoted by Guilty Boxing >
  
  

• Boxing Manager Lynch Teams With NFL Star Jacobs

  Longtime boxing manager Pat Lynch has entered into a partnership agreement with New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs to guide some of professional boxing’s hottest prospects. “Brandon and I will >
  
  

• Boxing Prospect Daniel Jacobs Added To Pacquiao vs. Hatton Undercard

  One of boxing's hottest prospects and rising middleweight star, Daniel "The Golden Child" Jacobs, has been added to the much anticipated May 2nd pay-per-view undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky >
  
  

• Jacobs Amongst Golden Gloves Champions.

  Daniel Jacobs of New York City defeated Williams Boggs of Pennsylvania to capture the 165-pound division of the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions on Saturday night at State House >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Daniel Jacobs, Jose Varela