This Saturday: Hitz Boxing’s Fight Night at the Horseshoe

CHICAGO — August 17, 2015 —   This Saturday, at the Horseshoe Hammond, Hitz Boxing presents the latest in its long running series, Fight Night at the Horseshoe, showcasing the some of Chicago’s hottest boxing talent. The show is headlined by a rematch between Chicago’s Genaro Mendez (9-2-1, 6KO) and Agustin Cicero (5-7-3, 4KO). After their first bout in 2012, Cicero hit the road, facing tough opponents in their back yards. Never one to shy away from a fight, Cicero knows that Mendez will be facing a different fighter than the one he was when the two met at the Horseshoe three years ago.  Boxing fans will be treated to a real grudge match, as Cicero will bring to the ring the valuable experience gained by his loss to Mendez and his subsequent fights on the road.  For his part, Mendez will be fighting for the first time this year, and will be looking to keep the UBF Midwest Welterweight Title in Chicago, in front of his hometown fans.

Adrian Granados (14-4-2, 10KO), one of Chicago’s favorite sons, shocked the boxing world when he won a split decision over boxing veteran Jesus Soto Karass (28-10-3, 18KO) in June at BKB Boxing in Las Vegas. Karass, who has notable wins over Andre Berto and Selcuk Aydin, was widely expected to handle Granados easily, but like Chicago fighters are prone to do, Granados was not going to go easily or quietly.  Granados will face the tough Christian Steele in his first fight at home since his spectacular victory.

David Pareja will make his long awaited return to the ring, when he faces Albert Hawkins in his first professional bout in ten years.  Pareja, who was a decorated amateur, made his professional debut in 2004 in the inaugural season of Oscar De La Hoya’s reality boxing competition show, The Next Great Champion.  Sidelined with a family, career and eye issues, Pareja is looking to come back strong and make a statement in his hometown, with a compelling win over Hawkins.

Also on the card, 3-time Golden Gloves Champion Jessica McCaskill makes her much anticipated professional debut when she faces Tyria Dunkin.  Ed Brown, a Cameron Dunkin-signed prospect who hails from the Windy City, will face Miguel Alvarez.  Nick Ramirez faces Rafael Garcia. Anthony Abbruzzese, who recently relocated to Chicago, will face Benito Tovar, feeding the long standing Chicago-Wisconsin rivalry.  Fred Bowen faces Kevin Cruz, and local rivals Sammy Horowitz and Israel Echevarria battle it out over four rounds at light heavyweight.

“This is an all-action card,” said Bobby Hitz, Owner and Promoter at Hitz Boxing.  “We’ve got a great line-up, great sponsors, and a great venue.  What more could boxing fans want?”

Doors to The Venue at Horseshoe Hammond open at 6:00 Saturday, and first bell is at 7:00.  Tickets are priced $90, 40 and 30, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets.  Boxing fans must be 21 years and older to attend events at the Horseshoe Hammond.