8 Count Boxing: Lee Makes Pro Debut At Top Rank Live

© Chris Farina, Top Rank Inc

Former Notre Dame Boxing Captain and 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion Mike Lee has wrapped up training in Houston, Texas and is headed to his highly anticipated pro debut this Saturday night, May 29th, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

Lee’s four round light heavyweight bout against Emmitt Woods is one of the feature bouts at the Chicago debut of Top Rank Live presented by Top Rank Incorporated and Chicago’s 8 Count Productions.

The 22 year old Lee has been training with noted trainer Ronnie Shields since January in Houston.

“I am very excited to step into the ring for the first time as a professional fighter. It’s something I have been training extremely hard for and view it as my first important step in my goal of becoming a world champion” said Lee, a graduate of Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois.

“I am thrilled to make my professional debut in my home town of Chicago. As a fighter you perform your best in a comfortable environment and having my family, friends and fans there to support me means a lot to me.”

Trainer Shields has guided numerous world champions over the last twenty years including Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor and Vernon Forrest.

Continued Lee, “Working with Ronnie Shields has been a life changing experience. His knowledge is deep and his love of the sport of boxing is admirable.

“I have learned things from him both in the ring and out of the ring that I will carry with me forever. He has made me a better fighter and I look forward to a long professional relationship with him.”

Lee signed with Top Rank Incorporated earlier this year and looks forward to pursuing his dream of becoming a world champion.

“I would like to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for giving me this opportunity. As a fighter you want to surround yourself with the best and there is no doubt in my mind that I have done that.”

The main event will feature an outstanding ten round welterweight showdown between Mexican veterans Jesus “Renuente” Soto-Karass and Gabriel “EL Rey” Martinez.

The undercard will feature Chicago’s Omar Henry, Ivan Popoca, Antonio Avila and Polish heavyweight prospect Krzystof Zimnoch.

Advance tickets, presented by Top Rank Incorporated and Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, priced at $101, $51 and $31 are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).

Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:30pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway.

For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.