8 Count Boxing: Kid Diamond Added To “Fearless” Bill In Chicago This Weekend

World ranked lightweight contender Almazbek Raiymkulov aka “Kid Diamond” has been added to the action packed “Fearless” professional boxing event, presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, set for this Friday night, June 20 at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom.

Raiymkulov will battle “The Lion”, Leo Martinez over eight rounds as part of the outstanding fifty round/seven bout card of world class professional boxing.

Riding a five bout winning streak Raiymkulov brings a record of 25-1-1 with fourteen knockouts to his Chicago debut. He is coming off a twelve round split decision victory over Miguel Huerta on June 14, 2007 in Rochester , New York .

A member of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games representing his native Kyrgyzstan, now living in Las Vegas, NV, Raiymkulov’s seven year professional career includes a draw with world champion Joel Casamayor and notable wins over Lamar Murphy (TKO-5), Koba Gogaladze (TKO-6), Jairo Ramirez (TKO-7) and Emanuel Augustus (UD-10).

His only loss was to world champion Nate Campbell (TKO-10) on October 1, 2005.

Riaymkulov is currently world ranked #10 by ESPN, #9 by the WBO and # 13 by the IBF.

Born in Ciudad Nezahuacoyotl, Mexico and now residing in Chicago, Martinez, 13-11 (6), has proved to be a fan favorite in the Windy City winning four bouts there over the last 18 months.

The 27 year old’s career includes wins over former world champion Eric Aiken and undefeated and highly regarded prospect Octavio Lara. He also lost a close, hard fought eight round majority decision to undefeated prospect Jose Izquierdo on October 7, 2006.

Spending the early part of 2008 on the road, Martinez has come out on the short end of two close hometown decisions, to Michael Clark on April 12 in Columbus, OH and to Jason Davis on May 24 in Tacoma, WA, both over ten rounds.

Headlining “Fearless” is an outstanding bantamweight clash as world ranked Alex Valdez, 20-2-1 (15), of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico battles Accra, Ghana native Anyetei Laryea, 17-4 (8) over ten rounds.

Valdez is currently ranked # 4 by the WBC, #7 by the WBO, # 10 by the IBF and # 15 by WBA.

In the co-main event, Salinas , California super bantamweight 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, Chicago favorite and 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.

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.

Along with Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, “Fearless” 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.