Press Release: Golden Boy Promotions and 8 Count Productions will team up once again up to present an evening of professional boxing at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion on Friday, April 24th with advanced tickets on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800.  Headlining the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights live broadcast is a junior featherweight matchup between El Paso’s Antonio Escalante and Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. from Staten Island, NY.

“We’re looking forward to returning to Chicago with ESPN’s Friday
Night Fights,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya. “The great Chicago fight fans always seem to bring out the best in fighters and will them to fight their hardest.”

The 23 year old Escalante, 19-2 (12 KO’s), is a popular favorite
amongst Chicago fight fans and will be making his fourth appearance in the Windy City.  In his first appearance, he battled local native Jose Andres Hernandez in a ten round war on January 27, 2006 that was named the Solo Boxeo “Fight of the Year” for it’s dramatic and powerful swings in each fighters’ favor.

Born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Escalante was able to win a unanimous decision, dropping Hernandez in the eighth and ninth rounds after being knocked down earlier in the fight.  The win in front of a sold out Cicero Stadium cemented Escalante as a “must see” attraction in Chicago.

Escalante has won five fights in a row, most recently scoring a
third-round knockout of Mike Oliver on October 24th at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California. 

Stark, a favorite amongst fight fans in the New York City area, has compiled a record of 22-2 (8 KO’s) over his seven year career.  He is on a four bout winning streak, highlighted by a brilliant display of courage and valor when he won a rematch over Andres Ledesma on March 5, 2008 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York in revenge of a 2007 loss.  Fighting with a right eye that had been swollen shut in the middle rounds, Stark rallied to a unanimous decision win over Ledesma.

Said Dominic Pesoli, “These are two outstanding warriors and the
spirit they’ve showed in the ring truly outlines what should be an
outstanding fight on April 24th.”

Also on the show, super middleweight prospect Daniel Jacobs, 14-0 (13 KOs) will see action in an eight round bout.  The former Two-Time National Golden Gloves Champion and U.S. Amateur Champion has thrilled fight fans across the country with his fast,
powerful hands since turning pro in December 2007.  Nine of Jacobs’ knockouts have come in the first round.

Making his Chicago debut is 2008 U.S. Olympian Deontay Wilder, the only United States Boxing Medalist from the 2008 Beijing Games, who will see action in a four round bout.  The Tuscaloosa, Alabama heavyweight has won his first three pro fights.  The 23 year old Wilder, 3-0 (3 KOs), is trained by 1984 U..S. Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Welterweight Champion Mark Breland.

Also featured in his first eight round bout is Chicago favorite, Ivan
Popoca. The junior welterweight, 9-0-1 (7 KO’s), has thrilled the
Windy City fight fans with his heavy hands and aggressive style.  In his last bout, he won an early career defining battle over Daniel Garcia by unanimous decision in a six round bout.

Also on the card will be newcomer, 2008 Chicago Golden Gloves champion Noe Perez, who will see action in a four round junior lightweight bout.  The younger brother of “blood and guts” warrior, Luciano Perez, Noe won his first bout on December 12th, stopping Elijah Linder in the second round at Cicero Stadium.

Opponents for Jacobs and Wilder, as well as a full undercard, will be announced shortly.

Further details for the UIC Pavilion, including directions, can be
obtained through their website at www.uicpavilion.com