Future Stars and Legends at Thompson Boxing
Friday night means “Fight Time,” folks!
After a long work week, the best antidote for us boxing aficionados is joining the scene at the live fights around town.
Tonight features one of the most popular Southern California promotions, the action-packed “New Blood” series presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions. This scheduled six-bout card, taking place at the Doubletree in Ontario, will showcase the punching power of Alberto Herrera vs. Chris Chatman, Donyil Livingston vs. Steve Macomber, Christopher Rizo vs. Alex Viramontes, Sergio Nuñez vs. Mike Cross, Oscar Andrade vs. Federico Martinez and Daniel Roman vs. Salvador Cifuentes.
These sold-out events are a popular draw for those in the Los Angeles, Inland Empire areas and beyond. A crowd favorite, the Thompson fights are known for their fun, energetic atmosphere and highly competitive matches. The fans get to watch exciting live boxing while also getting to meet some of their ring heroes too. At recent shows, Micky Ward, Kassim Ouma, Alfredo Angulo, Timothy Bradley, Chris Arreola, Albert Davila, Bobby Chacon, Kaliesha West and Daniel Ponce De Leon were just some of the familiar faces making the scene.
The “New Blood” series introduces the audience to some talented fresh faces in the sweet science. These local fights also inspire the next generation of contenders and champions–young amateurs waiting for their chance in the spotlight.
At many of the pro fights in town, I always can spot several amateur standouts I know from various shows and tournaments. These baby-faced warriors are the next in line, the ones you’ll be seeing as they enlist in the pro ranks soon. At recent Thompson shows, two amateur stars took in the action and really loved being around this atmosphere. A bonus for these young pugs is meeting past icons in the sport, a chance for the new bloods to bond with past champions and fistic heroes from bygone eras.
Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon is a frequent visitor at Thompson Boxing. The former two-time champ still gets in the ring and shadowboxes for the crowd. Amateur fighter Angel Bojado, 16, was happy to reconnect with the brawling featherweight. For Bojado, Bobby’s fights are something he watches in awe. “He’s a legend! A real Mexican warrior,” nods Angel, younger brother of Angel “Panchito” Bojado. “Bobby is what defines a legend in boxing–one tough warrior.” He said he met Chacon as a boy, but this was the first time he’s seen him in a long time. The amateur slugger, who trains out of the Montebello PAL gym, has plans to go pro soon.
Another young face in the audience was Saul Rodriguez, just 17 years old. He was cheering on his fellow Riverside fighters at the September show. This talented teen is currently in San Antonio, Texas for the National PALS, a prestigious competition that leads to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
And tonight, you never know which champ will be there in person. There are always surprise guests in the house. “Yonnhy will be coming to the fights,” promoter Ken Thompson told me. “He and boxer Walter Sarnoi are going to be there.” I also asked Yonnhy’s co-promoter about the upcoming SHOWTIME Bantamweight Tournament. “Yonnhy will beat Agbeko again!” Ken replied with assurance.
I caught up with the President of Thompson Boxing Promotions after yesterday’s weigh-in while he was visiting with his good friend, another veteran in the fight game, Dr. Joe Noriega. You’ve seen the spirited doctor, who’s founded many chiropractic clinics in the Southland, at ringside for all of the Thompson fights. Both men are also former Presidents of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and have developed a very strong bond through boxing. Look for Dr. Joe at the fights tonight–and be sure to say hello to him as the doc is going on a “brief hiatus” from the matches. The always on-the-go doctor is scheduled to undergo knee surgery next week–and he may be away from the fights for just a little while. But don’t expect the former World Boxing Council (WBC) Advisor and boxing manager to be off his feet for long.
“He goes to ALL of the fights,” his wife Nelly Noriega states with a laugh. “He LOVES the fights. Maybe he loves boxing more than he loves me.” She’s joking of course. Nelly is also a fixture at all of the Southland boxing events and enjoys being in the mix just as much as her husband. The two have traveled the world many times over and Dr. Joe, in his youthful eighties now, has 
participated in several international WBC Conventions including trips to the Philippines, Cancun, China and more, in support of the WBC and another close friend, WBC Supervisor Rudy Tellez.
At the last event, Noriega brought two special VIP guests from Mexico to sit alongside him in the front row, a former mayor and diplomat from down south, with both visitors getting an up close look at the sparkling gold and green WBC belt later awarded that night. Wife Nelly tells me the only time Joe misses a fight is when they are traveling. “This year, we missed only one Thompson fight because we were on a cruise to Alaska,” she remembers. The two hope to be back at future shows soon.
For promoter Thompson, the fights are also a great way of connecting with longtime customers, sponsors, vendors, friends and fans alike from various businesses and boxing events through the decades. “I’ve known some of the guys that come to our fights for years,” the successful entrepreneur says. “These are loyal guys who love watching boxing. And some of them have worked with us for 30, 40 almost 50 years now!”
The busy promoter has a full stable of champions and contenders, including Timothy Bradley and Yonnhy Perez (both co-promoted by Gary Shaw), Juan Carlos Burgos (fighting in Japan next month), Dominic Salcido (fighting at Fantasy Springs Casino next Friday), Patrick Lopez (who just fought at Chumash Casino Resort last week) Julio Diaz, Jose Lopez, Mauricio Herrera, Efrain Esquivias, and Abraham Lopez. Thompson and Matchmaker/General Manager Alex Camponovo continue to build on this championship lineup. The company also continues to expand with their fights telecast at later dates on Fox Sports en Español.
But for those who want to catch the action live and in person, the “New Blood” show in Ontario is the place to be!
See you at the fights.
Thompson Boxing Promotions
“New Blood”
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8th
For tickets: (714) 935-0900
Doors open 6:30 p.m./ First bell 7:45 p.m.
All bouts subject to change
Photos by Michele Chong
