Arreola, Angulo, and Perez at Ontario fight night
“New Blood 4” lived up to its billing last Friday night at the Thompson Boxing Promotions fight card at the Ontario Doubletree Hotel in Southern California. The evening offered six entertaining bouts including a couple of bloody battles on the canvas.
The main event between Juan Carlos Burgos and Vyacheslav Gusev had those at ringside shielding their faces from the splatter. Gusev suffered a cut to his eye but stayed in the fight. Burgos would get the unanimous decision to capture the WBC CABOFE strap in the ten rounder.
Always a crowd favorite, Mauricio Herrera was featured in the co-main against Luis Alfredo Lugo. Local fighter “El Maestro” Herrera was victorious to earn a WBC USNBC title.
There was also a slugfest between Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez and Aaron Garcia. The six-round bout between the two featherweights had the audience cheering the young warriors throughout the contest. Hernandez fought on with cuts over both eyes in a back and forth battle. After the final bell, their war was declared a majority draw as the standing room only crowd applauded the effort.
Seen “making the scene” at the Friday fight were some of L.A.’s best-known fighters who were brought up into the ring by Team Thompson, including Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola, who took time to pose with fans, sign autographs and joke around with pals. The heavyweight boxer–who’s been working out with a new strength and conditioning coach–looked in fighting form in a black T-shirt and getting an extra work out by wearing a humongous shiny pendant around his neck. The heavy necklace was adorned with “CA” in the style of the old California Angels baseball logo. So the stylish “Nightmare” is either proud to be a Cali resident, a big stick and ball fan, or both!
Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo was also seen catching the action. The junior middleweight is coming off his disappointing loss against Kermit Cintron on May 30, but hasn’t been hiding out. He’s been attending several local fights in support of his trainer Clemente Medina and his Maywood stablemates. Angulo politely autographed programs and later had a chance to visit with fellow fighter Yonnhy Perez. Look for the proud Mexican warrior to get inside the ropes again soon.
And boxer Yonnhy Perez, co-promoted by Thompson and Gary Shaw received a loud, rousing hero’s welcome from the fans as he was announced. The Colombian bantamweight upset local fighter Silence Mabuza in last round of their May 29 South African bout. Perez had an ear-to-ear smile as he accepted the applause as Jimmy Lennon Jr. manned the microphone.
Among those in attendance were the well-liked Thompson fighter Josesito Lopez, WBC USNBC Super Bantamweight Alejandro Perez, Michael “Lil Warrior” Franco, Antonio Diaz, trainers Joel Diaz, Jack Mosley, Bennie Georgino, former Olympian Mando Muñiz, manager Frank Espinoza, former heavyweight and current trainer Stan Ward, and former WBHF President Dr. Joe Noriega, who was there keeping watch over the WBC belts.
Two notable female fighters Kaliesha West and NABF Featherweight Jennifer “The Razor” Barber were also there watching all the exciting matches. Little dynamo West told me she’s 
training hard and hopes to get an August matchup.
Promoter Ken Thompson and matchmaker Alex Camponovo always pack ’em in at their sold-out shows which air on Fox Sports Español. And the popular Southland promoter’s stable of young fighters continues to grow and rack up wins. Thompson is also the co-promoter of WBO Light Welterweight Champion Tim Bradley, who looks to be facing Nate Campbell in an August clash.
Thompson Boxing’s next show will be held on July 17 at their outdoor Omega venue in Corona.
Photos by Michele Chong: Arreola with two young fans; “Perro” and Yonnhy Perez; Ken Thompson with TBP crew; Josesito Lopez; Hervi Estrada hoists Guatemalan flag; Jennifer Barber, Kaliesha West, Yakub Shideav and Stan Ward celebrate; Ring card girls