Boxing News: Rubio – Kodzoev

Rapidly becoming one of the best fight regions in the United States, the Chicago area is the place to be for boxing fans on Friday, January 27th, when Golden Boy Promotions, in association with 8 Count Productions, presents “Ring of Fire”, an exciting evening of world-class fight action which will be televised live on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo’ from Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois.

In the ten round main event, junior middleweight knockout artist Marco Antonio Rubio (32-2-1, 29 KOs) faces one of the toughest tests of his career in Russian contender Aslanbek Kodzoev (16-1-1, 11 KOs).

The co-featured bout stars local hero Jose Andres Hernandez (19-2, 13 KOs) in a featherweight ten rounder against tough Texan Antonio Escalante (10-1, 7 KOs).

Doors open at 6pm, and the first bell sounds at 7pm. The “Solo Boxeo’ telecast will begin at 9pm ET/PT.

Torreon, Mexico’s Marco Antonio Rubio is, without question, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. At 25, this hard-hitting young man has left a path of destruction in his wake that has seen him stop such quality opponents as Jorge Vaca, Fitz Vanderpool, Frankie Randall, Grady Brewer, and previously unbeaten David Toribio. Most recently, Rubio, who is ranked eighth in the world by the WBC and tenth by the WBO, scored a fourth round TKO over Leon Pearson in August, and he has won five bouts in a row since his only pro defeat against Kofi Jantuah in 2004.

24-year-old Aslanbek Kodzoev is another rising star with just a lone defeat on his record. And since that loss in 2001 to Vitali Tsypko, Kodzoev has never looked back, winning 11 of 12 fights with one technical draw. Included in these victories was a win over Sergey Tatevosyan for the Russian championship, and a 12 round win over Jerry Elliott for the WBC International title. Winner of his last two bouts by knockout, Kodzoev, would love to start 2006 with a win over Rubio.

And while this clash of 154-pound contenders is worth the price of admission alone, a stellar undercard will give fans all the high-impact action they need, with not only local featherweight star Jose Andres Hernandez on the bill, but rising stars Jorge Gonzalez (3-0 junior middleweight), Mike Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs lightweight), Francisco Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs super bantamweight), and Jose Manuel Ortega (4-1, 3 KOs junior welterweight) all fighting their hearts out in competitive bouts.

Tickets for “Ring of Fire”, which are affordably priced starting at $30, may be purchased by calling 312-226-5800.

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, please visit our website at www.goldenboypromotions.com