Rosales and Soto-Karass Headline Next 8 Count/Top Rank Boxing Card

Welterweight contenders Michel Rosales and Jesus Soto-Karass will battle for the WBC Continental Americas Championship this Friday night, October 20th, in the twelve round Solo Boxeo main event at October Fury in Cicero, Illinois.

Said Pesoli, “This is one of the biggest cards we’ve ever had. There are 54 rounds of scheduled boxing featuring some outstanding contenders and prospects. Our fans have come to expect these types of shows from us and we’re committed to continuing to bring them the finest in Chicago boxing.”

Undefeated prospect Michel Rosales, 11-0 (10KO’s) of San Luis Potosi, Mexico made his American debut in his last fight on April 28, 2006 with an eight round unanimous decision win over Fernando Mena in Port Hueneme, California, a fight which was broadcast internationally on SOLO BOXEO de Miller.

The 23 year old Jesus Soto Karass, 14-3-2 (11KO’s) of Los Mochis, Mexico is coming off a 9th round stoppage over former world champion Vince Phillips on June 2, 2006 in Tucson, Arizona. On May 6, 2005 he battled former world title challenger Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez to a ten round draw at the Fort McDowell Casino in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Both of these bouts were broadcast on SOLO BOXEO de Miller.

The co-main event features a middleweight showdown between undefeated Chicagoan Michael Walker and hard hitting veteran Alberto Mercedes of the Dominican Republic now living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Walker, 13-0-1 (8KO’s), a former amateur standout, is riding a six bout winning streak since his draw with Jimmy Gonzalez on July 15, 2005. The Corrales/Castillo like battle had the packed house at the Aragon Ballroom screaming for each combatant amidst the flow of huge bombs landed by each warrior.

Mercedes, 13-12-1 (9KO’s) returns to Cicero Stadium where his last appearance this past June resulted in a six round TKO over highly regarded Kenny Kost. The heavy handed Mercedes dominated the fight from the outset on his way to the stoppage.

A special attraction bout will feature all action undefeated featherweight prospect, Jason “The American Boy” Litzau, 19-0 (17KO’s) of St. Paul, Minnesota who will face Mexican Sammy Ventura, 24-16 (19KO’s). Litzau is thought by many boxing writers to be a future superstar and has thrilled crowds all over the country with spectacular knockouts and Arturo Gatti-like comebacks.

The full eight bout fight card is as follows,

Michel Rosales vs. Jesus Soto Karass, welterweights, twelve rounds
Michael Walker vs. Alberto Mercedes, middleweights, eight rounds
Jason Litzau vs. Sammy Ventura, featherweights, ten rounds
Omar Reyes vs. Yamin Mohammed, featherweights, six rounds
Jose Manuel Ortega vs. Ramon Guevara, welterweights, six rounds,
Mateusz Masternak vs. William Choulout, light heavyweight, four rounds
Marcos Esquivel vs. Marsay Buggs, super lightweights, four rounds,
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Johnny Higgins, welterweights, four rounds

The open to the public weigh-in for this event will be held on Thursday, October 19 at Mariscos El Veneno located at 6651 S. Pulaski on the southwest side of Chicago starting at 7pm.

The Master of Ceremonies for this event will be the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing, Lupe Contreras.

The massive eight bout October Fury card is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, along with Miller Lite and TCF Bank.

Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm. Tickets, starting at $30, are on sale in advance by calling 312-226-5800.