8 Count Boxing: Herrera vs. Granados This Saturday In Chicago

Sensational young prospects Jaime Herrera and Adrian Granados will be featured this Saturday night, June 19th at Windy City Fight Night 10 at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

Herrera and Granados’ continued ascent in professional boxing headlines a six bout action packed evening presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.

Said Pesoli, “Part of what keeps Chicago boxing fresh and the fans excited is seeing terrific young prospects like Jaime Herrera and Adrian Granados make their ascent in the pro ranks.

“Both Herrera and Granados are facing undefeated fighters from out of town who no doubt will come to Chicago with intentions of staying unbeaten which should make for outstanding battles.

“In each of their previous appearances at the UIC Pavilion, we’ve had huge crowds for Jaime and Adrian and are expecting another large and passionate turnout this Saturday night” continued Pesoli.

After a terrific amateur career, welterweight Herrera has quickly impressed Chicago fight fans in his first two professional bouts.

The 21 year old Franklin Park resident kicked off his professional career in style, knocking out veteran Gustavo Palacios in the first round on December 12th at the UIC Pavilion. The 28 second blowout took place on the HBO televised Paul Malignaggi/Juan Diaz II headlining card.

Herrera followed up his pro debut with an outstanding four round decision over Eric Draper on April 30th at the UIC Pavilion.

This Saturday night, Herrera, 2-0-0 (1KO) will look to stay undefeated against Atlanta, Georgia’s Nick Smith, 1-0-0 (1KO) in a scheduled four round bout. Smith also made his pro debut a short order, knocking out Christopher Hamlett in the first round on May 1st in Atlanta.

Fighting out of nearby Cicero, Illinois, the flashy, hard hitting Granados, 4-1-0 (4KO’s) is coming off his finest outing, dropping William Ware three times from crunching body shots on his way to a brilliant second round stoppage.

On Saturday night, the 20 year old Granados will battle Milwaukee’s undefeated Mike Culbert, 3-0-0 (2KO’s) in a scheduled five round junior welterweight bout. Although now training in Chicago, Granados has also worked in Mexico with Nacho Beristain and boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez.

Also, middleweights Donatas Bondarevas and Keon Johnson will see battle in a six round bout.

A native of Kaunas, Lithuania, Bondarevas, 6-1-1 (1KO), is unbeaten in his last four bouts and is coming off a shutout four round decision over Jovanni Rubio in Rancho Mirage, California on April 10th.

Fighting out of Indianapolis, Indiana, Johnson brings a record of 8-3-0 with four knockouts to the ring on Saturday night.

Making his Chicago debut, Holland, Michigan native Johnny Garcia, 1-0-0 (1KO) will also appear in a scheduled four round junior welterweight bout against Wisconsin’s Dean Peters Jr.

Garcia made quick work in his pro debut, knocking out Christopher Sudberry in the first round on February 20th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Peters will take a record of 1-1-0 into the bout against Garcia.

Rounding out the undercard are Chicago based pro debuters; junior welterweight Genaro Mendez and light heavyweight Mike Jimenez.

Mendez will face off against Toledo, Ohio veteran, Gabriel Morris, while Jimenez will see action against Mississippi ’s Cleo Rice III, 0-1-0.

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.