See PHOTOS of “Locked N’ Loaded” in Ontario!
Southland boxing promoter Ken Thompson and general manager/matchmaker Alex Camponovo have had a busy couple of weeks, to say the least. The Thompson Boxing Promotions team just hosted their popular “Locked N’ Loaded” fight night at the Doubletree Ontario on Friday night.
Now they’re prepping for Wednesday’s weigh-in and Thursday’s showdown in a special edition of ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” being held THIS THURSDAY, May 2 at the Omega Products Outdoor Event Center in Corona. Hometown favorite Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera will square off against Ji-Hoon “Volcano” Kim in the main event presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions. There are a scheduled eight fights including undercard action by local fighters Hector “Teco” Serrano and Richard “El Terminador” Contreras in separate bouts.
Both Thompson and Camponovo are California Boxing Hall of Fame inductees and are well known in the SoCal fight scene and beyond. They have built a solid stable of champs and contenders through the years. And I have witnessed many of their homegrown champions get their start at these Inland Empire fights. For boxing fans, the local club fights are a way to check out new talent and future champs. For the fighters, what better way for these hungry young lions to make a name for themselves while climbing up the ranks?
Friday’s card at the Doubletree featured seven bouts of war with the headlining Aron Martinez and Alberto Herrera battling toe to toe for victory. Martinez took a majority decision win in this rematch that had the crowd cheering. The lone female clash between Sindy Amador and Adrienne Alegria also got the audience’s attention. The women warriors threw constant leather with Capital Punishment Gym’s Amador besting her opponent in a unanimous decision.
In the venue were many familiar faces introduced by ring announcer Sonny Franco including the “Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez, Rafael Lopez, Israel “El Magnifico” Vazquez, Oscar Molina, Charles Huerta, Artemio Reyes, Juan “Pochito” Reyes, Danny “El Travieso” Hernandez, Oscar “The Boxer” Muniz, Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, former champ Wendy Rodriguez, pro fighter Liz Medel, amateur fighter and filmmaker Jill Morley (“Fight Like a Girl”), MMA fighter/boxer Kaiyana Rain, Chivas soccer player Bryan de la Fuente, Goossen Tutor’s Craig Goossen and more. Many were in town for last Saturday’s Chris Arreola vs. Bermane Stiverne fights at the nearby Citizens Business Bank Arena (CBBA). Oscar Molina and Charles Huerta wanted to show their support at Thompson’s fight Friday night before both got their own KO wins on the CBBA undercard. Maywood Gym’s Mando Huerto is now in the corner of Aron Martinez and both Oscar and Charles did not want to miss the action.
Check out my exclusive snapshots from the weekend bash!
Friday’s bouts were also announced on Fox Sports en Español, led by a trio of Josesito Lopez, Israel Vazquez and Carlos Avilas on the headsets. Jose told me he had a great time commentating, just his second time moonlighting on the mic. He praised his two compadres on making his job seamless. Lopez (co-promoted by Ken Thompson and Dan Goossen) will be back in the ring June 8 against hard-hitting Argentinean Marcos Maidana.
After the fights, I also caught up with female slugger Sindy “La Alacrana” Amador. Don’t let the size of this pint-sized dynamo fool you. She is less than five feet tall but makes up for the inches in her power, determination and relentlessness. Many in the crowd were not used to seeing girls fight but as the bout went on, I heard comments of awe and admiration for both ladies. It was a rough-and-tumble affair that left the fans wanting more. Look for both women to be back in the ring soon.
Southern California boxing fans have had a great week of boxing. In the span of less than a week, loyal fans have had back-to-back fight nights with Thompson’s “Locked N’ Loaded” last Friday and the Goossen Tutor card on Saturday. And now, everyone is looking forward to this promising night of action in Corona.
One Riverside talent is really looking forward to Thursday evening.
What’s better than the much-loved ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights”? A rare airing of “Thursday Night Fights”!
Singer and entertainer Pobedy Montes (“La Unica a Caballo”) was the designated anthem singer at the Arreola-Stiverne bout. And this week, she’ll have an encore performance on this Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions event. Montes has expressed her excitement in singing the National Anthem. A boxing aficionado and friend of cutman “Indian” Willie Schunke, Pobedy is honored to be making her Omega debut.
It’s on Thursday night: Mauricio Herrera vs. Ji-Hoon Kim.
DON’T MISS THE ACTION.
Thompson Boxing Promotions/ESPN Fights
Tickets: (714) 935-0900
Doors Open: 5 PM
First Bout: 5:45 PM
All bouts subject to change.
