From David Janke

Pinnacle Boxing Promotions

NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville has a new boxing promoter hoping to revive the sweet science in town.

Pinnacle Boxing Promotions' first show is scheduled for July 10 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Sports Arena, which has a capacity of approximately 2,200 fans. The July 10 program will feature 8 to 10 action-packed bouts. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the local non-profit Boxing Resource Center, owned by Dr. Christy Halbert. 

The card is headlined by Nashville resident Luis Galarza (15-2, 12 KOs) going up against rugged Covington, TN fighter Rodney Freeman (5-14, 3 KOs) in a welterweight clash.

Galarza has been in the ring with some of the best fighters of his generation, having sparred with Miguel Cotto and Jose Luis Castillo. Galarza has had a very successful professional career after a short stint in the amateurs. He owns a 4th-round knockout over former "The Contender" reality series participant Jonathan Nelson.

Looking at the opponents Freeman has faced says that he has been in with solid fighters, including a bout with Irish prospect Andy Lee. The combined record of Freeman's last six opponents is 76-7.

A heavyweight bout on the card has Mexico's Ignacio Esparza (16-2, 10 KOs) going up against Jackson, TN veteran Marvin Hunt (12-26, 5 KOs).

Esparza is a world-class prizefighter from Guadalajara, Mexico, who comes to Nashville to fight for the 50,000 Mexicans who reside in middle Tennessee. Esparza is a top cruiserweight, having fought for the WBO Intercontinental Cruiserweight and IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight titles. In 2005, he defeated Juan Carlos Martinez to win the Mexican Cruiserweight championship. Esparza is managed by the highly-regarded Ramon Arellano.

Other proposed bouts on the card include Nashville's Yolexy Leiva (3-1) vs. Geneva, NY's Anthony Cannon (4-13);

Columbia, TN's Miguel Gonzalez (7-2) vs. Covington's Corey Sommerville (1-4);

Smyrna, TN's James Jones (1-2) vs. Geneva, NY's Nick Brinson (5-0-1);

Crossville, TN's Marty Robbins (23-46) vs. New Jersey's Danny McDermott (8-2);

Covington's Chris Rudd (10-0) vs. TBA;

Smyrna's Jake Thomas (2-0-1) vs. TBA.

General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Ringside tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Janke at www.pinnacleboxing.com

For many years, David Janke has been a boxing fan and has traveled to watch some of the highest-profile professional fight cards in recent history. with a desire to be involved in the sport, he spent time as a boxing writer, but it was not "hands-on" enough. He wanted the opportunity to bring more fans to the sport and to put together exciting, yet affordable, cards. With the recent restructuring of the Tennessee Athletic Commission and the lack of consistent boxing cards in Nashville, Janke noticed an opportunity to be involved in the sport and give local boxers and opportunity to have a promising professional career.

A middle Tennessee resident for 25 years, Janke holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees from Belmont University.