A huge crowd of media and fans descended upon the final media conference held yesterday at the Copernicus Center in Chicago to discuss ‘THE BIG FIGHT 2,’ ESPN Friday Night Fights at U.S. Cellular Field, being held this Friday, August 16. Right here, you can find the photos and notes from the presser, with the headline attraction of Andrzej Fonfara vs. Gabriel Campillo, and a co-featured bout between Artur Szpilka and Mike Mollo.
In attendance at the conference were all of the principle combatants including “Chicago’s Polish Prince”, and IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KOs); his opponent, former world champion Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo (22-5-1, 9 KOs); undefeated heavyweight Artur ‘The Pin” Szpilka (15-0, 11 KOs) and his opponent, “Merciless” Mike Mollo (20-4-1, 12 KOs); as well as five-time Chicago Golden Gloves champ and professional debuter Kristin Gearhart.
Also taking turns at the podium were the event’s promoters, Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions, Frank Mugnolo of Round 3 Productions, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing and Piotr Werner of Ulrich KnockOut Promotions.
The historic boxing event is headlined by a 12-round light heavyweight IBF World Title Eliminator between “Chicago’s Polish Prince” Andrzej Fonfara and former world champion Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo. Also featured 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.
In a special attraction televised bout, Chicago’s Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados will face off against undefeated Mansfield, Ohio’s Mark Salser over eight scheduled rounds.
On Thursday, August 15, the official public weigh-in will be held starting at 5pm at Bacardi at the Park (across from the park) located at 320 W. 35th Street in Chicago. Staging will be in back patio area, paperwork in the building lower mezzanine level. There is free parking available in Lot B.
Tickets start at $32 and are available through Ticketmaster, The Chicago White Sox, the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office.
The last professional outdoor boxing event held in Chicago took place over 50 years ago. “THE BIG FIGHT” was held at Comiskey Park on SEPTEMBER 25, 1962 and was headlined by the Heavyweight World Championship between Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson.
