LOTS OF FISTIC HISTORY IN CHI-TOWN
“Sugar Ray” Robinson
Chicago, IL– This was once a boxing hot bed playing host to some of the biggest fights of the 20th century such as Gene Tunney’s “Long Count” victory over Jack Dempsey, Sugar Ray Robinson’s decision over Carmen Basilio to even the score in their rivalry, as well as Robinson’s knockout of Bobo Olson to first gain the middleweight title and many more.
“MADHOUSE ON MADISON” SITE OF MANY
In the first half of the century everybody who was anybody fought here but when Jack Wertz, owner of Chicago Stadium aka the “Madhouse on Madison” (and former home of the NBA Bulls), closed the stadium to boxing the number of big fights in the Windy City declined. In recent years however there has been somewhat of a resurgence of major fights in the unofficial capital of the midwest.
CHICAGO BOXING ON THE REBOUND
It started in 2005 when Fernando Vargas defeated Javier Castillejo at the AllState Arena. Three years later Erik Morales dropped a decision to hometown kid David Diaz at the same venue and in 2009 Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz took their rematch to the UIC Pavilion. The result has been a steady increase of smaller yet less significant (so far) cards around the Second City, mostly fueled by 8 Count Promotions. Of these the most notable has been Andrzej Fonfara’s TKO of Gabriel Campillo at the US Cellular Field on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS ON FOX TONIGHT
Tonight on Fox Sports, the trend continues when jr. lightweight (130 lb.) Ronny Rios (22-0, 10 KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against fellow Southern California prospect Andrew Cancio (15-2-2, 11 KOs). Rios lacks pop to his punches yet is a very skilled inside fighter. He’s an often used sparring partner for WBO titlist Mikey Garcia and is expected to win in a contest that would propel him closer to a top ten ranking. Managed by Frank Espinoza (who also oversees the careers of Abner Mares, Daniel Ponce Deleon, and Mexican Olympian and prospect Oscar Valdez) the stage is being set for Rios’s career to take off.
STUBBORN & HARD HITTING FOE READY TO ROCK
His dance partner for the night however, might have something to say about that. Cancio is as tough as they come and he is a devastatingly hard puncher. This bout will definitely be full of fireworks as neither man is known for taking a step back. You can also be guaranteed that this is the biggest test for Rios so far and this contest will show us what he’s made of.
CO-MAIN EVENT IS “SHOWCASE” BOUT
In the co-feature is Golden Boy prospect Julian Ramirez (10-0, 6 KOs) who looks to improve to 11-0 against the tough and experienced Mexican featherweight Carlos Rodriguez (23-13-3, 3 KOs). Ramirez is managed by Joel De La Hoya, brother of Oscar, and is a very talented southpaw with lots of power and poise. The 21 year old has been a sparring partner for IBF lightweight (135) champion Miguel Vazquez as well as jr. featherweight (122) Scott Quigg. Ramirez is seldom in a boring fight and always looks for the knockout. His development will be an interesting one to watch. This looks to be another exciting night of fights in the Windy City.
Jason B. Nava