The protagonists of Saturday night´s Sauerland Event fight card in Neubrandenburg today warmed up with a public training session in the heart of the East German city. Former European middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester (29-3, 14 KOs) will be looking to return to winning ways when he faces Italy´s Gaetano Nespro (14-4, 2 KOs) for the IBF international middleweight title. It will be the Hurricane’s first fight since losing a points decision to WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm and also the first under newly-appointed head coach Karsten Rower.

“The first months of our cooperation have been great,” Rower said. “Things are going very smoothly. Saturday is a big fight for us – a fight which we must not lose. Sebastian needs to be on alert against a tricky opponent.” The Hurricane can´t wait to get back into the ring. “I am in great shape,” he said. “I really enjoy working with Karsten Rower. I have prepared very well and I will make a winning return.”

In the co-featured main event, European super-middleweight champion Karo Murat (18-0, 11 KOs) grants experienced Italian Cristian Sanavia (40-4, 12 KOs) a rematch. Back in April 2008, Murat had deprived the former world champion of his European belt. “I defeated him once so I will defeat him again,” Murat said. “I have improved since our first meeting and I keep learning so many things from Ulli Wegner. I will be prepared.”

Also in action will be gifted middleweight Dominik Britsch (11-0, 4 KOs), who wants to put himself in the frame for a Youth Title fight with a success over Rachid Ouafi (6-3). “Dominik is one of the biggest talents I have ever trained,” Wegner said of the 21-year-old youngster. “Despite his age, he has a very professional attitude. He has a golden future ahead.”

World Boxing Council News – Feb. 24, 2009

“The WBC has received a letter from the great boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, stating that he has voluntarily relinquished his WBC lightweight world championship.

“The WBC is extremely proud of Manny, who has been associated with our organization since 1997, when he won the WBC-affiliated OPBF championship. Manny became the WBC flyweight world champion in 1998.

“With severe weight problems, he moved up to the super bantamweight divisioin and immediately won the WBC International super bantamweight title, which he defended five times.

“In 2005, he challenged Erik Morales for the WBC International super featherweight title and although he lost that fight, Manny came back to win the vacant International title in his next fight. He won the rematch with Morales in 2006, and went on to defend the International title five times.

“In March, 2008, Manny defeated Juan Manuel Marquez to win the WBC super featherweight world title. In June, 2008, he moved up to the lightweight division and defeated David Diaz to win the WBC lightweight world championship, and he finished his historic year with a knockout win against Oscar de la Hoya in a welterweight fight.

“Manny Pacquiao won the WBC’s award for ‘2008 Fighter of the Year.’

“The WBC wishes to thank Manny for his beautiful letter, and we wish him the best of luck. He will always have the WBC in his corner.”

Manny’s letter read in full:

“Dear Mr. Sulaiman and World Boxing Council:

“I take great pride and honor in representing the WBC as its lightweight champion at the present time. Your institution has opened the door for my success in boxing and I am grateful for the prestige your organization had given me over the years as on of its champions in many different weight categories.

“I have had discussions with my team as to the direction of my career since my fight at 147 lbs. with Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008. After careful consideration and in the advancement ot my professional boxing career, I intend at this time to campaign in the super lightweight division with a fight against Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009.

“Therefore, this correspondence will serve as formal notice to the World Boxing Council I am voluntarily relinquishing my WBC lightweight championship in order to pave the way for a new champion and provide opportunities and success for other fighters in the lightweight division.

“I look forward to the opportunity and distinction of representing your organization as a world champion in future.

“Sincerely,

“Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao”

HENRY COYLE RETURNS TO CHICAGO ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT CO-FEATURED AT UIC PAVILION

ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE

CHICAGO, IL (February 24, 2009) Popular Irish junior middleweight prospect Henry Coyle will once again battle in Chicago as he will be featured in the eight round co-main event at the inaugural “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT” on Friday, March 27th, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.

The 21 year old Coyle, 9-1-0 (8KO’s), is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Sergejs Savrinovics on November 15th in Castlebar, Ireland . A native of Geesala, Ireland , Coyle’s aggressive, heavy handed style has made him a favorite amongst Chicago fight fans.

Said Pesoli, “Henry’s fought twice in Chicago and has really built a tremendous following amongst the huge local Irish population. We’re very happy to have him on our first show at the larger UIC Pavilion on March 27th.”

Details of Coyle upcoming bout will be announced shortly.

“WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT” is headlined by a ten round Chicago junior middleweight showdown between “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez and Luciano “EL GALLO MICHOACANO” Perez.

Other fighters scheduled to see action on the eight bout card include; super middleweight Andrzej “THE POLISH PRINCE” Fonfara, unbeaten junior welterweight Rita “LA GUERA” Figueroa, featherweight Juan Bailon, junior welterweight Ryan Smedick,

super bantamweight Sergio Montes De Oca and pro debuting super middleweight Mike Kurzeja.

Advance tickets, starting at $30, for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT” are now on sale through the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.

8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.

For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com