IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 16 KOs) is hard at work in the high heat and humidity, sparring with Michigan heavyweight Jordan Shimmell and Chicago cruiserweight Dimar Ortuz at Sam Colonna's Boxing Gym in Chicago, in preparation for his upcoming showdown against former world champion Gabriel "EL Chico Guapo" Campillo (21-5-1, 8 KOs) of Madrid, Spain, on Friday, August 16, 2013.

The pair will meet in the 12-round main event of "THE BIG FIGHT 2," at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and broadcast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

"THE BIG FIGHT 2" is presented by "The Promoters" - Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich KnockOut Promotions in association with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

Tickets start at $32 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster ( www.Ticketmaster.com , phone, 1-800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox ( www.whitesox.com ) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office, (312-226-5800.). The ring will be set up behind home plate with the grandstand serving as a backdrop.  Doors on the night of the event will open at 6 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7 p.m. CT.

Fonfara, of Chicago, via Warsaw, Poland, was last seen in November, winning the vacant International Boxing Organization light heavyweight title by seventh-round TKO over former world title challenger Tommy Karpency at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, a fight in which he badly injured his hand.

Fully healed and eager to make his return in front of his legions of adoring Chicago fans, Fonfara and head trainer Sam Colonna are working hard to make this Fonfara's best performance ever.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend this historic event marks the return of boxing to the South Side of Chicago after more than 50 years.

Also featured that night will be the "Can't Miss" heavyweight rematch of Artur 'The Pin" Szpilka of Wieliczka, Poland and Chicago's "Merciless" Mike Mollo, scheduled for ten rounds.

A full undercard for this sensational event will be announced shortly.

U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street, one block west of the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Tickets start at $32 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster ( www.Ticketmaster.com , phone, 1-800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox ( www.whitesox.com ) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office, (312-226-5800.).

The ring will be set up behind home plate with the grandstand serving as a backdrop.  Doors on the night of the event will open at 6 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7 p.m. CT.

UNCASVILLE, CT - Heavyweight Tony Grano, 20-3-1, 16 KOs, has been trying to punch his way through the heavyweight division since 2005, but the boxer has yet to secure the signature win needed to truly make his mark. Grano has battled and beaten a number of solid heavyweights and took home a few minor belts, but nothing that Grano has accomplished thus far has led to the breakthrough he so desires.  

Grano could take a big step toward his goal on August 3rd when he encounters the biggest challenge of his career, former two-division world champion Tomasz Adamek, 48-2, 29 KOs. The 10-round fight is part of the triple header to be nationally televised by NBC Sports Network as part of their Fight Night boxing series.

The other bouts on the broadcast, from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, are middleweight Curtis Stevens against Saul Roman, and cruiserweight Eddie Chambers versus Thabiso Mchunu. The three 10-rounders begin at 10:30 PM ET.

A win over Adamek on Fight Night is exactly the feat Grano needs to make his name and open the door for an even bigger opportunity. Adamek not only has two world titles to his credit, he has been a major player in the heavyweight division since moving up almost four years ago, with his gutsy title challenge against Vitali Klitschko in 2011 being his only loss in the division. So if Grano can pull the upset next month against this top contender, his options - and potential paydays - will be better than ever before.  

Grano's heavy hands are his best weapon - in his previous four starts, three wins ended in knockouts, while he lost the fourth on points to Eric Molina in April . Tony won the NABF belt with a 4th round KO of DaVarryl Williamson last summer, and halted Brian Minto in three rounds before that. Other recent knockout victims include Dominique Alexander and Travis Kauffman.

Of course, Adamek is a tough customer with a granite chin, but Grano will also hold an uncommon home-state advantage over the Polish-born and New Jersey-based contender. Perhaps Tony's proven punching power and hometown crowd can give him the edge he needs to shock the former champ.

Every fighter waits for that perfect opportunity to prove what he's made of. For Tony Grano, that chance finally comes against Tomasz Adamek on August 3rd. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - On Wednesday, July 24, 2013, Heather “The Heat” Hardy (Brooklyn, NY pro record: 5-0-0) returns to the Roseland Ballroom in New York City against Cassie Trost (Seattle, WA pro record: 1-1-1) in a six-round bout. Hardy, a super bantamweight, last fought on April 4, 2013, winning her rematch with Mikayla Nebel by unanimous decision. In the main event. Yuri Foreman (Brooklyn, NY pro record: 30-2-0, w/ 8 KOs) will face Jamaal Davis (14-9-1 w/ 6 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Along with Hardy and Foreman, undefeated prospects such as Travis Peterkin, Ytalo Perea, Luis Olivares, Luis Cruz, and Emmanuel De Jesus will be featured on this latest installment of the “Broadway Boxing” series, sponsored by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions.

 

Hardy said, “I’ve been working really hard in the gym and it’s going to show in that ring on July 24. I know that my coach, Devon Cormack, has prepared me well and I will do whatever he asks in order to win this fight. Adjustments are made every round that I fight, so I prepare by making sure I’m physically able to do what’s asked of me. I’m in shape, on my weight, and I’m ready to go. I can’t wait to see my fans fill the Roseland Ballroom. I’m fighting for all the women boxers out there. We belong on big cards and we prove that every time we fight. Thank you to promoter Lou DiBella for giving me an opportunity to showcase my abilities on a big show.”

 

Devon Cormack, Team Hardy’s trainer and manager, said, “Heather’s preparation for this fight is similar to all her other fights. She needs to be in the best shape she can be, ready to go all six rounds without a break. She will be prepared to execute whatever her corner asks her to do during the fight. I’ve seen what her opponent does, and Heather just needs to execute my instructions in every round. Heather’s matches on DiBella’s cards have captured the New York audience, because they have all demonstrated that the female boxers have learned their craft to the point where they are equally as talented and exciting to watch as the men are.”

 

Hardy, an Irish-American, was born on January 25, 1982, in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Stella Maris High School in Queens, New York, where she played softball and soccer. She attended college and graduated with a degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2005. In addition to her career as a professional boxer, she currently works as a boxing and fitness trainer at Gleason’s Gym, and is the mother of a nine-year old daughter, Annie.

In May 2010, Hardy entered Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, where she met Devon Cormack. After eleven months of training with Cormack, Hardy won the 125 lb 2011 Metro and Regional Titles then went on to win the USA Boxing 2011 National Title. In 2012, she won the 125 lb Golden Gloves Featherweight title. Her overall amateur record was 16-5. Cormack gave her the name “The Heat” because of her aggressive boxing style. On August 2, 2012, Hardy won her pro debut by unanimous decision at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. She signed with New York-based boxing promoter, Lou DiBella, and his promotional company, DiBella Entertainment.

 

Heather Hardy is the subject of a new feature film titled, “Hardy,” directed by Natasha Verma. For the past few months, camera crews have been following the pro boxer, filming all aspects of her life. Production on the film is scheduled to finish later this year. Verma said, “Heather and her team have been great to work with. By sharing Heather’s life with the world, this movie should bring lots of excitement and new fans to women’s boxing. She has a great story and it needed to be told.”