Boxing In Chicago: Tarvoris Cloud Added To Independence Brawl

Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Tavoris “The Assassin” Cloud, will return to Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom in a special attraction eight round bout against Seattle veteran Tim Shocks on 8 Count Productions and Golden Boy Promotions’ shared fight card Independence Brawl this Friday night, September 15th.

The undefeated Cloud, a native of Tallahassee, Florida, now fighting out of Chicago, IL has been preparing for this bout with highly regarded trainer, Al Bonnani, for the last seven weeks in Orwell, Ohio.

Sporting a record of 11-0 with 10 knockouts, Tavoris spoke of returning to Chicago this Friday night, “The fans there have been terrific and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for them. So far, they’ve only had a chance to see me with early knockouts but I want to show them my boxing skills and hopefully this Friday night I’ll get the chance.”

Speaking of training in Orwell, Tavoris said, “It’s been a great camp up here, its quiet and a perfect place to train. I’ve been sparring with James Obede Toney, he’s got a big fight coming up this Friday against Lucian Bute so it’s been perfect for both of us.”

Cloud has thrilled the huge crowds at the Aragon Ballroom this year with early knockouts of Anthony Dennis on March 17th and Mitch Hicks on July 21st.

Shocks, 26-23 (15KO’s) is making his second trip to Chicago, having fought a ten round war with Freddie Cuevas in December 2002 which ended in a draw. His twelve year career includes battles with many former world champions and contenders including Vinny Pazienza, Arthur Williams, Santiago Samaniego, Rodney Jones, Julio Garcia, Maselino Masoe, Joe Gatti, Aaron Mitchell and Daniel Edouard.

Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “This is a good test for Tavoris. I’ve been happy with what I’ve seen so far but Shocks is a very solid, tough veteran who’s faced a lot of great fighters. It should make for a terrific battle.”

Master of Ceremonies for this event will be the Internationally Recognized Voice of Latino Boxing, Lupe Contreras.

The open to the public weigh-in for this event will be held at 7pm on Thursday, September 14th at Club Aquarius located at 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.

The full fight card is as follows;

Librado Andrade vs. Richard Grant, ten rounds, super middleweight
Tavoris Cloud vs. Tim Shocks, eight rounds, light heavyweights
Abner Mares vs. Kevin Hudgins, eight rounds, super bantamweights
Ivan Rodriguez vs. Vineash Rungea, six rounds, featherweights
Jonathan Oquendo vs. TBA, six rounds, super bantamweights
Nora Reyes vs. TBA, four rounds, featherweights
Mateusz Masternak vs. Jason Medina, four rounds, light heavyweights

The fully air conditioned Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Avenue on the north side of Chicago. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm, with the first bell scheduled for 6:30pm. Tickets starting at $25 are available in advance by calling 312-226-5800.