Chicago Boxing Prospect Added To August 8 Friday Night Fights Broadcast

Undefeated WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight Champion, Cedric Agnew, 8-0 (4), of Chicago Heights, IL has been added to the undercard of the August 8 edition of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” which will be broadcast from Chicago’s Aragon Entertainment Center.

Promoted by A-Team and 8 Count Productions, the main event features undefeated contender Tavoris Cloud, 18-0 (17) against former world champion Julio Gonzalez, 41-5 (25) in a 12 round IBF Light Heavyweight title eliminator.

At a time when Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver are ending their illustrious careers with mega bouts on pay-per-view, Agnew, still just 21 years old, seems to be maturing, both mentally and physically, at just the right time to rule the light heavyweight division for the next decade.

“Roy Jones is a champion that I watched growing up and I admire him,” Agnew said. “But I’m the future of the division. I hope to be a world champion by the time I’m 23.”

Twenty-three. It’s a sacred number in Chicago. Michael…just one word.

And, although no one will ever match the-legend-that-is-Jordan, Chicago’s other #23 greats include the Bears’ rock star Devin Hester, 2005 World Series MVP Jermaine Dye of the White Sox and Hall of Fame Cubbie Ryne Sandberg (retired).

“I wear the number ‘23’ on my trunks because I want to be one of those great Chicago athletes,” Agnew said.

At the age of 17, Agnew burst on to the amateur scene when he won the 2003 World Junior Olympic light heavyweight title. The following year, he won the US National Under 19 Championship and the second of two Chicago Golden Gloves titles.

During the 2004 National Golden Gloves Tournament, Agnew beat Jonathon Banks, now a highly touted cruiserweight prospect with a professional record of 20-0 (14).

Having amassed an impressive amateur record of 90-10, Agnew made his professional debut in January of 2007 and has since built a perfect record of 8-0 with 4 KO’s. On May 1, Cedric won his first belt, the WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title, by beating rugged Rayco Saunders in Dallas.

Agnew’s trainer, the Windy City’s Sam Colonna, believes his charge is a bright prospect with a real future. “Cedric has great hand speed and terrific reflexes,” Colonna said. “The kid spars with cruisers and heavyweights all the time and and I don’t see much of a reaction, so his chin is solid.”

As Colonna was preparing Tomasz Adamek for the first of his two epic wars with Australia’s Paul Briggs, Agnew was a regular sparring partner for the Pole. “Ced was still an amateur when he sparred with Adamek and he certainly held his own.” Adamek went on to win the WBC light heavyweight championship in a battle that was a top “Fight of the Year” candidate.

In preparation for his August 8 bout, Colonna has arranged for Agnew to spar with fellow Chicagoan Montel Griffin. Cedric plans to soak up the knowledge from Griffin, a 1992 Olympian and former WBC light heavyweight champion.

Born and raised in south suburban Chicago Heights, Agnew is the 12th sibling of 15. His father owns a plumbing business and his mother is a full-time homemaker. “Five of my older brothers boxed, but none of them stuck with it,” he said. “I don’t know if my fight will be on TV or not, but with my family alone, I’ll have lots of fans at the Aragon.”

In the evening’s main event, Tavoris Cloud, 18-0 (17), faces Julio Gonzalez, 41-5 (25), in a 12 round IBF light heavyweight eliminator. Cloud, a Tallahassee native, has fought his last ten bouts in Chicagoland and has become quite the Chicago fight fan favorite for his relentless action and one punch knock out power. He won his last bout on March 28 by brutal first round KO over Mike Wood at the Aragon.

Gonzalez, a former WBO light heavyweight champion, has challenged for the title numerous times against the divisions best including Roy Jones Jr., Montel Griffin, Glen Johnson and Clinton Woods . A 1996 Mexican Olympian, Gonzalez was born in Guerrero Negro and now makes his home in Southern California.

More information on the complete card will be announced shortly.

Doors open at 6:00pm. The first bout is at 7 pm.

Tickets, priced at $100, $75 and $50 (service fees may apply), are available from Ticket Master at Ticketmaster.com or 312-559-1212 or from the 8 Count office at 312-226-5800.

The Aragon is located at 1106 W. Lawrence in Chicago. For information or directions: www.Aragon.com