Rare outdoor boxing card scheduled for U.S. Cellular on Aug. 16
BY LARRY HAMEL lhamel@suntimes.com February 28, 2013 7:50PM
When boxing comes to The Cell in August, the ring will sit between home plate and the stands.
Updated: February 28, 2013 9:41PM
Boxing is scheduled to return to the White Sox’ ballpark for the first time in 50 years when U.S. Cellular Field hosts a professional card on Aug. 16. The promotional group of 8 Count Productions and Round 3 Productions, both out of Chicago, and Florida-based Warriors Boxing is in the process of completing negotiations with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which oversees non-Sox events at the stadium. Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count said that seating for the rare outdoor show will be configured to accommodate up to 12,000 and that he expects the card will be picked up on national television by one of the major networks that air boxing. The ring will be placed between home plate and the stands to minimize wear and tear on the turf and bring the action as close to the fans as possible. “We want this to have the feel of an event, not just a boxing show, and we’re confident Chicago fans will support it,” Pesoli said. “This is going to be a kind of a throwback to when boxing The last fight card at the Sox’ stadium was on Sept. 25, 1962, when challenger Sonny Liston knocked out Floyd Patterson in the first round to win the world heavyweight title at Comiskey Park. No bouts have yet been signed for the card, Pesoli said.
