By Jake Donovan
It's a reunion and a celebration all in one for this week's edition of Telefutura's Solo Boxeo Tecate. Series staple and undefeated junior welterweight prospect Mike Alvarado returns to the Chicagoland area, where he will face Jesus "Chuy" Rodriguez in the ten-round main event.
This week's card, aptly named "Celebration", marks a milestone for local promoter 8 Count Productions, with tonight marking 10 years in the boxing racket. Renowned for aggressive matchmaking and competitive and entertaining fight cards, it's only fitting that they celebrate the anniversary with a main event that represents the best Telefutura matchup in years.
"I'm very thrilled with the main event, it will be a hell of a fight," notes Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count, who along with Top Rank co-promotes tonight's show. "These are the type of fights the fans crave. Just don't ask for a prediction!"
That fans can't say for certain whether or not Alvarado (19-0, 13KO) makes it twenty straight without a loss speaks volumes of the step up in class for the undefeated star in the making. It also speaks on Alvarado's character that he's so willing to return to the very same arena (Cicero Stadium) that produced, prior to tonight's matchup, the toughest test of his career exactly 52 weeks ago, when he was taken to the brink against Carlos Molina.
It was the first time in his career where Alvarado was forced to rally late in order to escape with a win, and also the first time he fought on an 8 Count card. It was baptism by fire for the Rocky Mountain prospect, learning the hard way what it's like to survive the 8 Count circuit.
"We take tremendous pride in the matchups we put together," says Pesoli. "It speaks volumes of the job Jerry Alfano does in matchmaking for our cards, and the efforts of Bernie (Bahrmasel, among the best and hardest working publicists in the game) always getting the word out to everyone for all of our events. I'm proud of the reputation we've gained as a hard-working promotional firm that always puts on competitive shows."
The results speak for themselves, with 8 Count being involved in no fewer than seven Telefutura telecasts per year, having also promoted or co-promoted events on Telemundo, ESPN2 and FoxSports. Their Telefutura endeavors almost always involve either Top Rank or Golden Boy Promotions, but it gives them a chance to develop their own talent on a bigger than usual stage.
Undefeated light heavyweight Tavoris Cloud (17-0, 16KO) would be the best – though far from only - example, being given the benefit of fighting in front of the best promoters in the game thanks to 8 Count's connections.
Without working relationships with Top Rank, Golden Boy and Main Events, fighters like Cloud are all too often restricted to just the local scene with minimal exposure. With them, Cloud is now discussed as one of the young light heavyweights to watch out for, and 8 Count now recognized as more than just the small-time local promoter they were ten years ago.
"It's a major difference from when we first started," notes Pesoli. "Our vision has always been the same, and we continue to grow. Our next goal is to get our first world champion, possibly Tavoris. I'm very pleased with how we've grown; it's a reflection of our great team."
That great team put together a great card tonight, with Alvarado appearing on an 8 Count card for the third time, all within his past five fights. It's the fourth time in that same span he's fought in or around the Chicagoland area. His other two trips were much easier than the aforementioned Molina bout, knocking out Francisco Campos in two rounds on a show last June in Gary, IN, then returning to Chicago two months later to beat Jorge Padilla into submission in eight brutally one-sided rounds.
The Padilla fight was indicative of how most of Alvarado's pro fights have went thus far; tons of punches, relentless workrate, all courtesy of the 27-year old boxer-puncher, who has found a variety of ways to win in his four years as a pro after having spent only four as an amateur.
His most recent win came against the most recognizable name on his ledger, though perhaps producing the least satisfying result. Former Contender contestant Michael Clark was the most experienced fighter Alvarado had met to date, but barely put up a fight in their brief encounter last December in Albuquerque. Clark injured his hand with the first punch he threw, an attempted right to counter Alvarado's own right hand shot, the first punch landed in the fight.
Alvarado tried his damnest to nail down Clark, who spent the next minute moving around the ring while in agony over the injury. The referee called time, and the ringside doctor eventually put Clark out of his misery, calling for a stoppage just 87 seconds into the bout.
All too willing to return to the ring as soon as possible, Alvarado is faced with another perceived tough test, as streaking Jesus "Chuy" Rodriguez (17-2-1, 5KO) enters the fight riding a nine-fight win streak.
The biggest win of the California-based gatekeeper's career came in his last fight, scoring an upset over previously unbeaten Omri Lowther last November on ShoBox. Wins over Freddie Barrera and Hector Allatore also grace his resume, all coming in a 2007 campaign that saw him fight and win five times.
Many experts are calling the matchup a can't-miss action fight, with mild consideration of an upset. All 8 Count hopes for is the usual entertainment value that comes with their cards, to satisfy their oft-rabid crowd who support their shows in any weather, especially on such a memorable occasion.
"That fans are even willing to come out in brutal Chicago winters to attend our shows says it all if you ask me," jokes Pesoli, taking note of tomorrow evening's forecast, which calls for temperatures to dip into the teens, below zero with Chicago's famous wind chill factored in. "No question that we must thank all of the people who support us in any kind of weather over the years. It's them and the sponsors that keep us alive."
That 8 Count is still alive and kicking after ten years ranks high among Pesoli's personal list of most memorable achievements. "It's not easy for a mid-level promoter to run a successful operation for that long." Obviously the first show makes the list, when Pesoli organized a Kids-Fight-Cancer charity event in 1997. The love for boxing was always within Pesoli, but it was the personal joy that came with promoting that card that prompted him to make it his 24/7.
Though proud of what he's been able to create, an active boxing series that doesn't get lost in the shuffle of such a large market, Pesoli finds the most joy in the biggest shows of which he played a part.
"Doing the Fernando Vargas fight card with Main Events was a real treat. It was our first big show, so for that reason it was memorable, not to mention it opened the door for future business with them" including, but not limited to, 8 Count co-promoting a January 2006 ShoBox card featuring highly touted prospects Joel Julio and Raul Martinez in separate bouts.
But more than a big stage, a personal vested interest in a fight makes the memories that much sweeter. It's what makes their most recent big event perhaps the most memorable of them all.
"Having a great relationship with David Diaz for so long made being part of his fight with Erik Morales last year that much more special. To watch someone I know and have a personal connection with, face a future Hall of Famer and retain a world title in an incredible fight – to personally experience that was just unbelievable."
Pesoli hopes to one day enjoy that same feeling on his own show with his own fighters, but for now is content with having been able to make more with less for all of these years.
"Expanding is a goal, but it helps to have your own TV dates," Pesoli admits. "My ultimate goal is to be in Las Vegas doing my own shows. Without that TV support, it takes us mid-level guys a little longer than the big boys. Meanwhile, we've survived the business for ten years, on this level where most other companies usually fold or are forced to merge someone else."
No mergers in 8 Count's future, just maintaining their relationships with the sport's power brokers and gaining respect the old fashioned way – earning it.
"I try to get along with everyone. If you're fair with people, and honest, it means a lot. I hope we continue to do business together. It has to do with the type of person you are. We're all hard workers. It all plays hand-in-hand. We look forward to continue co-promoting with Top Rank, Golden Boy and Main Events. We're very pleased to bring fights to Chicago and Telefutura. The network is a perfect fit for us."
And cards like this weekend's make it the perfect viewing pleasure for boxing fans.
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. His feature column runs every Tuesday, and his Prospect of the Week series runs every Thursday. Jake is also BoxingScene's official Telefutura correspondent.
Please feel free to submit any comments or questions to Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com
