When dynamic super middle weight prospect Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (11-0 8 KOs) of Chicago takes his undefeated record into the ring against Gary, Indiana’s Derrick “Superman” Findley (20-11-1, 13 KOs) on Friday night it will be the most exciting cross town match up since Chicago middleweights Lenny LaPaglia and John Collins squared off 30 years ago at the UIC Pavilion, says promoter Bobby Hitz.
The eight round “The Battle at the Border” will be the Main Event during “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” on Friday, September 13, at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
“I cannot wait to see these guys go at it on Friday night, like LaPaglia versus Collins this is going to be a slugfest that lives up to the hype” said Hitz. “Findley likes to call out guys with undefeated records, saying that they look for easy fights, Mike resents that and he is looking to send a message to Findley and the boxing world that his undefeated record is no joke.”
In 1983 Collins beat LaPaglia by unanimous decision after both fighters left it all in the ring in what many say is one of the top 10 fights in Chicago boxing history. Hitz believes Jimenez versus Findley has the same potential.
“After that Collins and LaPaglia saw their career trajectories change drastically, this bout could do the same for Jimenez and Findley,” said Hitz. “Mike wins and people will take notice.”
Jimenez hopes to remain unbeaten against the very tough Findley, who is the only man to stop the highly regarded Andrzej Fonfara, who knocked out Gabriel Campillo in the ninth round this past Friday. In July of 2008 Findley stopped Fanfara with a second round TKO.
“I know Derrick and he is a super tough dude, who doesn’t slow down. He brings it all night, he’s never been stopped and he is beaten some quality boxers,” said Jimenez. “I will be on BEASTMODE on September 13 and I will bringing the KRYPTONITE to “Superman.” I’ve been killing it in the gym, my team is pushing me hard to make sure I am ready and I will be on my “A” game.”
For his part Findley doesn’t appear to be too concerned stepping in to the ring against an undefeated opponent. In an interview with ESNewsReporting.com posted on YouTube in July he said.
“They go out here and the knock out a guy in some basketball shorts and some Reeboks and then go up to the club with their little Cubic Zirconia chains jumping around like they just beat Canelo. Everybody wants tomato cans, nobody wants to fight real fighters. Everybody wants to be undefeated, everybody wants to be 40 and 0.”
