Boxing Update: Donovan George Added To April 1 Fight Card

World ranked super middleweight Donovan “Da Bomb” George returns to action in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois this Friday night, April 1st, against Baltimore’s Maxell “The General” Taylor at the UIC Pavilion.

The George/Taylor twelve round clash for the vacant USBA Title, headlines “Windy City Fight Night 16, a sensational seven bout card presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.

World ranked #13 by the IBF, George, 21-1-1 (18KO’s) is coming off a crushing first round knockout of previously unbeaten Cornelius White on February 11th which was broadcast on Showtime.

Taylor, 15-2-1, (6KO’s), is on a four bout unbeaten streak, most recently drilling veteran Ariel Espinal to a second round stoppage on October 21st.

The Donovan George/Maxell Taylor bout is presented in association with Warriors Boxing and Cestus Management.

In the co-main event, undefeated Russian knockout artist, Sergey Kovalev will make his return to the UIC Pavilion against North Carolina veteran Julius Fogle in an eight round light heavyweight bout.

The 27 year old Kovalev, 13-0-0 (11KO’s), made his Chicago debut last November 19th with a destructive second round stoppage of Dallas Vargas, stunning the crowd at the UIC Pavilion.

With a record 15-6-0 (10KO’s), Fogle returns to action following a very close split decision loss to undefeated prospect Max Limonov on July 14th in Philadelphia.

In a special attraction six round super middleweight bout, Rockford ’s “Bazooka” Joe Linenfelser will take on former amateur rival Jeremy Marts of Ottumwa , Iowa.

Linenfelser, 8-1-1 (6KO’s) is looking to get back in the win column after suffering the first loss of his career on January 15th, a hard fought eight round decision to veteran Mustafah Johnson in Warren , Michigan.

Martz brings a record of 6-10-0 (4KO’s) into battle.

Undefeated junior welterweight prospects will hit the ring in a four round tilt between Chicago’s Genaro Mendez, 3-0-1 (2KO’s) and Phoenix, Arizona’s Javier Loya, 3-0-0 (2KO’s).

The former Chicago Golden Gloves winner Mendez, 3-0-1 (2KO’s), showed the heart of a lion as he battled St. Louis ’ Keandre Gibson to an action packed, crowd pleasing four round draw on January 28th.

The heavy handed Loya, fighting for the first time away from home, is coming off a second round stoppage of Gabriel Garcia on November 20th in Phoenix.

Also, 19 year old Anthony “The American Assassin” Linenfelser, 2-2-0 (2KO’s), younger brother of Joe, will face off against Hammond , Indiana ’s Jeremias Correa, 1-0-0 (1KO) in a four round junior lightweight bout.

Linenfelser is coming off a first round stoppage of Mike Arnold on October 29th in Warren, Michigan, while the 22 year old Correa won his pro debut on October 2nd in his hometown with a third round knockout of Harvey Phillips.

Chicago based middleweight newcomers will also be in action as Chicago ’s Ramon Valenzuela Jr., 3-0-0 (1KO) will battle William Choulate, 1-2-0 (1KO) in a four rounder.

Rounding out the card, is a four round welterweight battle between Chicago pro debuter Luis Santiago and Milwaukee’s Matt Ellis, 1-3-0 (1KO).

Tickets, 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.