Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum's Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite presents "WAVE OF FURY " presented another installment of THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING this Friday night at the Aragon Ballroom, and despite the tropical like temperature inside the ornate venue, "Wave of Fury" was a big success. A near capacity crowd enjoyed watching an eight bout card containing several action packed fights.

In the Main Event, Jose Armando Santa Cruz (20-0, 11 KOs) claimed the NABF Lightweight Interim title with a stunning 4th round TKO victory over, Freddie Roach protégé, Ernesto Zavala. While the first three rounds were hard fought, the stronger Santa Cruz overwhelmed Zavala in the 4th, flooring him with combinations twice causing the referee, Timothy Adams, to halt the bout at 2:16.

In the Co-Main Event, Chicagoan Germaine "Silky" Sanders (24-3, 17 KOs) won an impressive ten-round decision over fellow Chicagoan Luciano Perez (12-2-1, 11 KOs) in a welterweight bout. Sanders controlled the pace throughout the better part of the fight, boxing effectively throughout. Sanders did hurt Perez on a couple of occasions in the later rounds but chose to continue to box rather than win the fight right there. In the end Sanders did more than enough to convince the judges cruising to an unanimous decision with the judges scoring the bout, 97-93, 98-92 and 99-91.

In other action:

Highly regarded Middleweight prospect Kelly Pavlik (25-0, 22 KOs) scored a stunning first round KO victory over journeyman Daniel Neal (9-9-1, 2 KOs). Mid-round Pavlik landed a devastating straight right hand sending Neal through the ropes and temporarily knocking him unconscious. In what was a scary moment, Neal did regain consciousness and walked out of the ring under his own power a couple minutes later.

Crowd favorite and former reality TV participant David "Danger" Pareja (5-1, 1 KO), also of Chicago, won a six round unanimous decision over Rodney Moore (6-14-4, 2KO's) in a bit of a snoozer. Scoring was, 59-55, 59-55 and 58-56.

Other Chicagoans were successful, brothers in combat Jimmy (2-0, 2 KOs) and Jorge Gonzalez (3-0) both scored victories, along with cruiserweight Mike Nevitt (9-0, 4 KOs) and Rita Figueroa (4-0, 2 KOs) who won via first round TKO.

When it was all said in done, "Wave of Fury" was a success not only for the local fighters but also for the fans. In addition, I would like to commend the dynamic Lupe Contreras for a job well done as the evening's public address announcer.

6-11-2005

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