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Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions will induct three new members into it’s Hall of Fame this Friday night, March 27, at their inaugural “Windy City Fight Card” professional boxing at the UIC Pavilion.
Joining last year’s inductees, Rocky Martinez and Mike Garcia, will be native Chicagoans Luke Capuano, Freddie Cuevas and Luis Mateo.
Said Pesoli, “We’re starting our 12th year this Friday night and we’re proud to honor these great Chicago fighters of the past. With warriors like Miguel and Luciano clashing in the main event on Friday night, it makes sense to honor these three warriors that truly exemplified the toughness and heart of a Chicago fighter.”
Capuano, campaigning as a light heavyweight in the late 70’s and early 80’s, twice fought outstanding wars in Chicago with champion Mike Rossman, losing both battles by only the slimmest of margins at the International Amphitheater and the Conrad Hilton Hotel.
The immensely popular and heavy handed “Pride of Taylor St.”, finished with a record of 21-5 (20), all but three of his fights taking place in Chicago.
“In many ways, Luke set forth the example by which we promote,” said Pesoli. “Give the fans great fights and they’ll always support you. Win or lose, the fans loved his spirit in the ring and he remains one of Chicago ’s most popular athletes.”
Junior middleweight Cuevas will also be inducted in the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame. The longtime Chicago favorite retired last year with a record of 26-10-1 (17) after an illustrious thirteen year career which was highlighted by a seventh round knockout of former world champion Wilfredo Rivera in 2002 at DePaul’s Athletic Center.
Said Pesoli, “Freddie was a pleasure to work with. He was one of the first fighters I signed back in 1998. He fought a lot of champions like Rivera, Charles Murray, Jermain Taylor, Kassim Ourma, all of them very tough fights. And he always carried himself with dignity and class in and out of the ring.”
Rounding out the 2009 class is former two-time Illinois State Champion Luis Mateo. Starting his professional career in 1978, Mateo finished in 1990 with a record of 22-6-1 (11), winning the State Welterweight title in 1985 and the State Super Middleweight title in 1990 in his last bout at the International Amphitheater.
“Luis was the one of the most exciting fighters of his era in Chicago,” said Pesoli. “He had a huge fan base that loved his aggressive style and was always in terrific fights”
Highlighting the nine bout inaugural “Windy City Fight Card” card is a ten round Chicago showdown between middleweight fan favorites, Miguel Hernandez, 20-8 (10), and Luciano Perez, 16-9-1 (14), for the WBF Americas Middleweight Title.
Advance tickets, starting at $31, are now on sale through the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine in the West Loop area of Chicago . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.
