Heavyweight a hit at Thompson Boxing’s Fight Night
If there’s one person that will never be tainted by fame and fortune, it’s got to be Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs). No attitude whatsoever with this guy. That’s why the fans love 
him–because he remains just a refreshingly “normal” cool dude. The Mexican-American boxer has stayed true to his roots, doesn’t edit his speech, is friendly and approachable, and best of all still wants to be counted as just one of the guys.
And at last Friday night’s “Lopez vs. Lopez” fight card, that’s exactly what the popular Arreola was–just one of the guys. Sharing a trainer and cutman with the heavyweight, stablemate Jose Lopez was the main event of the evening hosted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. So with trainer Henry Ramirez, cutman “Indian” Willie Schunke, and second assistant Joe Esquivel flanking Jose Lopez, Team Arreola became Team Lopez. And just who was that “fourth man in the corner”? Yep, the unbeaten heavyweight himself!
Sitting behind the blue corner during the Josesito Lopez (24-3, 14 KOs) vs. Patrick Lopez (15-2, 10 
KOs) matchup, Arreola kept an intense eye on the action. He lent his vocal support and cheered for Jose in a close heart-stopping eight-round battle. The heavyweight stayed close to the crew especially during a couple of tense moments in the slugfest. He watched over the spit bucket, towels, and corner men’s supplies, just wanting to help out any way he could. During the breaks, he grabbed the atomizer and sprayed Lopez down. As the crowd perched on the edge of their seats, so did Arreola. He studied the action, shouted out instructions and leapt to his feet during the fight.
After Jose Lopez was awarded the split decision victory, Arreola rushed into the ring to celebrate with his junior welterweight amigo and the whole Lopez camp. As photographers lined the apron to capture the moment, America’s best hope for a heavyweight title was thrilled to be part of the group, part of Team Lopez.
“Chris has a license to be a second. He knows what it’s like to be in there and when his stablemates are fighting, he shows up for them,” his cut man and close friend “Indian” Willie tells me. “To a fighter, to have another fighter supporting you is great. Even in the amateurs, if Chris has the time, he’s there for them. It shows that Chris is not into just himself; he’s so supportive.”
Even though I suspect what the answer will be, I ask the veteran cornerman if he thinks Arreola has changed in any way during the years. “No, he has not changed at all! He’s the famous Chris Arreola to everyone else, but to us he’s just Chris,” Schunke replies. “When he was nobody, when no one paid attention to him and didn’t ask for autographs back then, he was just one of the guys. Now we have to watch him a little more, but he hasn’t changed a bit! When we were at the Mandalay Bay (for his April 11 fight) he had to have bodyguards around him, but he’s still just Chris.” The boxer remains a loyal buddy to Schunke. This past Christmas, Arreola even gave his friend a big surprise gift: an English bulldog puppy that the cutman named “Tank.”
Promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, Friday’s event featured five adrenaline-filled bouts which were held at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. In 2004, Arreola fought at this same venue under the same promotion, so it is always a homecoming for him. The boxer gave an affectionate bear hug to the promoter’s wife, the effervescent Vera Thompson and greeted matchmaker Alex’s pretty wife, Bea Camponovo, with a big smile and wave. Early in his career, “The Nightmare” fought several times on Thompson’s cards, both at the Doubletree and also Omega Products International in Corona, and they have all watched Arreola’s career steadily rise through the years.
He is an imposing figure–standing at 6′ 4″ with heavily-inked arms and a menacing glare while facing down an opponent. But he’s humble, sincere and fun in person. His boisterous personality is what people love about him. He often roars with laughter, occasionally drops F-bombs (even on live TV interviews), jokes around with everyone, and can talk trash with the best of them. Chris is the kind of guy that people just want to hang out with. And it seems that’s the way he likes it, just kickin’ back with the boys. No big ego, no big entourage for him.
Coming off his exciting victory over Jameel McCline, friends and fans surrounded Arreola, who took it all in stride. While awaiting his chance for a world title, Arreola can already be given a belt inscribed with “TPC”: The People’s Champ. The Riverside resident no doubt earned this title as he patiently posed for tons of photos, signed every autograph, and shook each hand held out to him.
“He’s great. Chris comes out to support Jose and we love him!” says Thompson. “He’ll be at a lot of our future events too.” The effusive promoter, always a first-class professional, hosts at least ten shows a year. and in these economic times, the successful entrepreneur makes sure to keep the ticket prices more than affordable so that everybody has a chance to catch the action.
An while there’s talk of 28-year-old Arreola taking on one of the Klitschko brothers, nothing has been made official yet. So in the meantime, the amiable boxer will continue to lend support to his fellow fighters as just one of the guys. Arreola watched on with a smile as the victorious Jose Lopez enjoyed his own moment in the spotlight posing for pics and getting interviewed by the press.
“It was a special time for him, to be there with them. Jose worked hard and he was very consistent,” says Dolores Schunke, wife of cutman “Indian” Willie. The petite corner woman knows both Jose Lopez and Arreola very well. The two athletes work out at the Schunke’s private gym in Riverside. “They both train at our gym and it’s a privilege to have Chris’ support for Jose’s fight. Chris never got in the ring–he’s always respectful–but his participation helped make things go smooth for the trainer and cutman. He was there to help out, just in case they needed anything.” Arreola’s trainer Henry Ramirez brings both his amateurs and pros to the Schunke’s state-of-the-art gym. The couple themselves are also fight promoters and their II Feathers Promotions will be presenting a fight card on May 16 in San Bernardino.
During last Friday’s fights, Thompson and Camponovo invite Arreola come into the ring with them for an official introduction to the audience. After they’re announced, the trio are swarmed by a sea of acquaintances, fans and well-wishers. One common thread between the three is that all have remained friendly, down-to-earth guys through all their successes. Ken Thompson himself graciously offers to take my camera so I can have a quick photo op with the sold-out crowd’s favorite heavyweight.
The founder of Thompson Enterprises recently partnered with Fox Sports en Español for exclusive broadcasts of his well-organized and well-matched fight cards. The Texas-born businessman makes everyone feel welcome at his fights with a friendly grin, laugh or a vigorous handshake to anyone he meets. Thompson and matchmaker Alex Camponovo currently boast a talented stable of fighters including Josesito Lopez, Timothy Ray Bradley Jr. (whose parents came out to represent the junior welter champ), Yonnhy Perez, and Dominic Salcido.
Also in attendance were undefeated middleweight Alfredo “Perro” Angulo, 2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada, a couple of “School Boys”: Bobby Chacon and Walter Sarnoi, former welterweight Mando Muñiz, Rodolfo “Gato” Gonzalez, former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Dr. Joe Noriega, along with a contingent of WBHF members.
Thank you to Ken and Vera Thompson, Alex Camponovo, Art Olson, and Jeanette Gonzales for another excellent fight night presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions!
Photos by Michele Chong: Chris as a cornerman, Arreola greets Vera Thompson and Dr. Joe Noriega, Celebrating Lopez’ victory with Ken, Alex, Henry, “Indian”, Jose Lopez after his win; Group shot by Ken Thompson: Chris with Marlene Marquez, Michele Chong and Bea Camponovo; Group shot by Gil “Candyman” Nieves: The heavyweight by Ken Thompson’s side