8 Count Boxing: Valdez vs. Laryea Headlines “Fearless” June 20

World ranked bantamweight contender Alex Valdez returns to Chicago next Friday night, June 20 to face Ghana-based veteran spoiler Anyetei Laryea in the ten round main event at “Fearless”, an outstanding evening of World Class Professional Boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.

The 24 year old Valdez, 20-2-1 (15), a native of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico is riding a sixteen bout undefeated streak which includes a seventh round stoppage of Samuel Lopez in Chicago on December 1, 2006 at Cicero Stadium.

Most recently Valdez won the NABF bantamweight title with a sixth round knockout of Heriberto Ruiz on May 5, 2007 in Tijuana, Mexico.

In his last bout, he won a unanimous decision over Mexican veteran Oscar Andrade on March 1, 2008 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on the undercard of the third bout in the epic Israel Vazquez/Rafael Marquez trilogy.

Valdez’s four year professional career also includes a win over former world champion Mauricio Pastrana two years ago. He is currently ranked # 4 by the WBC, #7 by the WBO, # 10 by the IBF and # 15 by WBA.

Accra, Ghana native Laryea brings a record of 17-4 with eight knockouts into the battle with Valdez . The quick and colorful 31 year old had won four in a row prior to dropping a close decision to former world champion Ivan Hernandez on May 15th in Irvine, California.

Prior to that Laryea had won the British Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title by stopping highly regarded prospect Isaac Ward in the fourth round on October 12, 2007.

Laryea has also gone the distance with former world champion title challengers Nicky Cook and Alex Baba.

Said Pesoli, “Valdez really won over the Chicago fight fans with his stoppage of Lopez at the end of 2006. He’s got great skills and very well could be a future champion. Laryea is a very tough veteran from Accra , Ghana, the same town as the legendary champion Azumah Nelson, and he’s faced world class competition.

In the co-main event, Salinas, California super bantamweight prospect Alejandro Perez, 12-0-1 (7), squares off against Mexico City ’s Adolfo Landeros, 17-10-1 (8), in a scheduled eight rounder.

In a special feature attraction bout, former world champion Montell “Ice” Griffin , 48-7 (30), of Chicago will face Baltimore native Corey Cummings, 15-2 (12), over ten rounds in the light heavyweight division. This will be Griffin ’s first bout in his hometown in nine years.

On the outstanding under card, undefeated Chicago fast rising prospect Ivan Popoca, 6-0-1 (5), will face Khristian Geraci, 3-2-1 (2), in a six round welterweight bout.

Also on the undercard, Michigan native Frederico Flores Jr. 4-2 (2), faces Chicagoan Gustavo Palacios, 2-3 (1), over four rounds.

Rounding out the card is a four round junior lightweight battle between Chicago native Juan Bailon, 2-0 (1), and Mexico ’s Gerardo Alarcon, 0-1.

Along with Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, “Flawless” is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico , Mexico ’s premier airline travel headquarters. The Solo Boxeo Tecate broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.

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

The open to the public weigh-in will be hosted on Thursday night, June 19th at 7pm by Lazo’s Tacos Restaurant located at 2009 N. Western Ave. (Armitage and Western) on the near northwest side of Chicago .

Tickets for “Fearless” are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster) and the 8 Count Production offices at 312-226-5800. The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.