Forget the cold weather and the snow in Chicago. Skip the holidays. Junior welterweight prospect Ivan Popoca is too focused on the task at hand to pay much attention to either.

Preparing for his next fight on Friday, January 23rd, the undefeated junior welterweight hasn’t stopped training through the holidays. Fighting five times in 2008, Popoca’s last two bouts have ended in crushing first round knockouts, further cementing his status for Chicago fight fans as must-see events.

“For me, 2009 is going to be a huge year, I want to set the tone on January 23rd and move forward quickly from there. Six to eight fights in 2009 and a move up to the world rankings” said the confident 26 year old.

Training at Chicago ’s JABB Boxing Gym for the last few years, Popoca’s name has become synonymous with its growing clientele of pros and amateurs.

“In the last six months, he’s really become the boss here. He’s here to train everyday without fail and he’ll spar anyone. We had some tough Russian professionals here last month and Ivan was the first one to challenge them. Same with many other pros who are more experienced, he’s fearless and will challenge anyone” said gym owner Dominic Pesoli, also President of 8 Count Productions, which handles Popoca.

Known for his all out wars in the gym, Popoca typically stops traffic in the gym as other fighters halt their workouts to catch a glimpse of the most talked about prospect in the Chicagoland area.

Continued Pesoli, “He sets the tone here, other fighters, amateur and pro know this is serious business when they see how hard he works. He loves to spar and he’s got a bit of a street fighter mentality which works to his advantage in the ring.”

Said trainer Mike Garcia, “Ivan’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever been around. He’s really come around and turned the corner in the last year  and he’s become much smarter to go along with his aggressiveness. 2009 could be a terrific year for him. Boxing fans in Chicago want to see action packed fights and that’s what Ivan gives them, every time out.”

Popoca, 8-0-1 (7KO’s), will face Houston ’s Daniel Garcia at Cicero Stadium as part of “NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION”, an evening of world class professional boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions. The equally heavy handed Garcia brings a record of  9-5-1 (7KO’s), into the scheduled six rounder against Popoca.