CHICAGO– Boxing returned to the ballpark here in Chicago but it was a first for U.S. Cellular Field. Chicago, so rich in boxing history held numerous title bouts. Comiskey Park on the ‘South Side’ regularly held big-time fights. U.S. Cellular Field replaced Comiskey Park 22 years ago. The last big ballpark championship fight was on September 25, 1962, when Sonny Liston knocked out Floyd Patterson in the first round at Comiskey Park for the heavyweight championship.
For these fights, two Polish born contenders, Andrez Fonfara and Artur Szpilka highlighted the slugfests. Local promoter Frank Mugnolo said there were over 8,000 spectators. The ring for this event was centered right over home plate and the stadium was lit up for a spectacle. The crowd was spirited and loud.
Fonfara, a light heavyweight, knocked out Gabriel Campillo in the ninth round with a nasty body-blow. Campillo had previously controlled most of the fight. Fonfara, 26, (24-2, 14 KO) was born in Radom, Poland and now trains in Chicago. The home crowd showcased raucous energy for the winner. Fonfara is now on tap for an IBF title shot against Bernard Hopkins.
In the co-main event, a heavyweight match, Szpilka knocked out Chicago native son, Mike Mollo in the fifth round. It was another hard-hitting contest. It was also a rematch and put Szpilka, 22, (16-0, 12 KO) on the world map as a title contender. The undefeated 6’3” southpaw cracked Mollo with a hard left to the body and the loser never finished the fifth round. Mollo was able to rise from the canvas but the referee waived him off and it was a TKO for Szpilka. The winner hails from Wieliczka, Poland and currently also trains in Chicago.
ESPN2 televised the fights and in another exciting match, Adrian Granados (12-2-2, 8 KO) came up after being knocked down to score an exciting win over Mark Salser (15-1, 9 KO). It was the first loss for Salser.
BOXING NEWS– The Floyd Mayweather Jr.- Canelo Alvarez junior middleweight championship match to be held at the Las Vegas MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas might be a record-breaking boxing event. The September 14th extravaganza may be the grandest prizefight in scope and revenue of all time. The live gate at the MGM Garden Arena sold out within a few hours of going on sale. Also, many of the 5,000 closed-circuit venues are sold out. The pay-per-view home sales may exceed the record 2.4 million buys that the Mayweather-De La Hoya fight did in 2007. Mayweather Jr., 36, is a five-weight world champion and has not lost in 44 pro fights, while the Mexican, Saul Alvarez, 23, is unbeaten in 43 paid encounters.
— The world heavyweight boxing champion, Vitali Klitschko, has dropped a strong hint that he will run for his country’s presidency in 2015. The 42-year-old Ukrainian has campaigned against President Viktor Yanukovych and what he calls authoritarianism in Ukraine. In a prepared statement Klitschko said, “I think about the possibility to take part in the presidential election.”
— Heavyweight Tomasz Adamek is traveling and visiting family in Poland. He is planning a family pilgrimage to Czestochowa. “I am going to thank for the win (August 3, over Dominick Guinn) and to pray for health for my entire family. Once there is health, that’s when I can accomplish other life goals,” said Adamek.
— Unbeaten middleweight Patrick Nielsen (20-0, 9 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Patrick “The Machine” Majewski (21-2, 13 KOs) at Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, Denmark. Nielsen outworked Majewski early and scored a fifth round knockdown. Majewski came on late, but got little credit from the judges. Scores were 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109. The WBA and WBO intercontinental belts were on the line.
— WBC junior cruiserweight champion Krzysztofa Włodarczyka (48-2-1, 34 KO) is looking to schedule Giacobbe Fragomenim (31-3-2, 12 KO) for a fight in Chicago to be promoted by Ulrich Knock-Out Promotions. Włodarczyka took the title from Fragomenim in an eight round TKO in May of 2010 in Łódź, Poland. The soon to be 32 year old champion has not fought in America since November of 2005.
— In his pro debut, Semajay “The Truth” Thomas (1-0) of Chicago got a unanimous decision over Anthony Willis (1-4) of Battle Creek, MI. Hitz Boxing Promotions put on the welterweight fight at the Cicero Stadium.
Fight Results from the Sportgym Radom in Radom, Poland from August 31,
Przemyslaw Opalach won in 2nd over Ionut Trandafir Ilie- Ilie injured his right hand at the end of the round two and didn’t come out for round three.
Michal Zerominski TKO over Mariusz Czerniewski- Czerniewski was given a standing 8 count at the end of round two and retired in his corner before the third round.
Nikodem Jezewski won in 4th Michal Szebestik
Damian Wrzesinski TKO-in 2nd over Petr Gyna
Ewa Brodnicka won in 4th over Claudia Szymczak
Ewa Piatkowska TKO in first round over Pavla Votavova