8 Count Boxing: Tickets On Sale For “Chicago’s Pride”

Tickets are now on sale for an evening of world class professional boxing as Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions presents “Chicago’s Pride” on Friday, July 25 at the Aragon Ballroom headlined by local fan favorite Francisco “El Nino Azteca” Rodriguez squaring off against El Paso slugger Alex “El Diablo” Becerra in a ten round bantamweight bout.

24 year old Rodriguez, 12-2 (8), is looking to add to his win column following a devastating three round destruction of Columbian veteran Angel Priolo on May 9 at Cicero Stadium. Rodriguez dropped Priolo in each of the first three rounds before referee Gerald Scott called a halt to the battle at the 2:23 mark of the third.

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico native Becerra sports a record of 19-6 (9) over his nine year career, including ten round battles with Valentin Leon and David Martinez. This will be Becerra’s Chicago debut.

In the co-main event, popular Chicago featherweight Jose Hernandez will return to the ring after a one year absence to face Mexico City ’s Jose Navarrete over eight rounds.

The heavy handed Hernandez, 22-4 (14), was last seen losing a very close twelve round decision to three time world title challenger Rocky Juarez in the co-main event on the massive Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather PPV card on May 5, 2007 in Las Vegas.

A native of Mexico City now living in Chicago, Navarrete holds a slightly misleading record of 9-15 with three knockouts. Most recently, he battled highly regarded unbeaten prospect Argenis Mendez over six rounds before dropping a split decision in a bout televised by Solo Boxeo from Reading, PA on June 6, 2008.

In a six round featherweight special feature attraction at “Chicago Pride”, Puerto Rico native Ivan “The Baby Boy Assassin” Rodriguez, 8-4-1 (3), currently residing in Waukegan, IL, returns to the ring in a six round bout against San Luis Potosi, Mexico born Barbaro Zepeda.

Also appearing at “Chicago Pride” will be popular Chicago light heavyweight Mike “The Hammer” Nevitt, 14-1 (5), in a six round bout and unbeaten Puerto Rican sensation Gadiel Andaluz, 3-0 (2), in a four round lightweight bout.

Tickets, starting at $30, for “Chicago Pride” can be purchased in advance through the 8 Count Productions Office at 312-226-5800 or through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com , 312-559-1212. The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. , adjacent to the corner of Broadway and Lawrence. Doors will open at 7pm, with the first bell at 8pm.

Along with Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, “Chicago Pride” is presented by TCF Bank and Miller Lite.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be nationally known professional sports announcer, Thomas Treiber.