Thompson Boxing Promotions (TBP) has become a Southern California standout with their first-class fight promotions. Be sure to check out their exciting new crop of talent this Friday, October 24th at “New Blood II” at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Ca.
Promoter Ken Thompson is proud to be showcasing a lineup of all So-Cal favorites, “These are homegrown fighters and their fan bases are overwhelming. It’s a night of hand-chosen local fighters who are all hoping to become world champions.”
He’s also looking forward to seeing Michael Santos return to the ring after a two-year layoff, “It’s going to be great to see our pro Michael Santos in the semi-main against Santiago Perez. This will be a stepping stone for Santos, to see if he will continue on to a championship.”
Since its inception in 1999, the Lubbock, Tx. native hosts at least ten shows a year with his “Path to Glory” shows and the startup of the “New Blood” series. TBP puts on high-energy fights at both indoor (Doubletree Hotel in Ontario) and outdoor (Omega Products International in Corona) venues. A big hit in the Southland, TBP’s outdoor boxing shows are now legendary and these annual summer shows will return next year, while the Doubletree shows always sell out fast with a standing-room-only crowd.Â
At Thompson’s action-packed fights, you get a lot of bang for your buck in the exciting bouts they offer. The popular promoter wants to make sure the crowd has a good time and often sprinkled in the audience are many familiar faces: Chris Arreola, Fernando Vargas, Marco Antonio Barrera, Bobby Chacon, Armando Muniz, Rodolfo Gonzalez and Rene Arredondo have all been at recent events.
The gregarious promoter says, “I’ve been involved in boxing all of my life, in one way or another,” adding with a laugh, “I’m addicted to boxing.”
The founder of Thompson Enterprises says,”We have tremendous fighters with knockout records on the card this Friday. Luis Ramos (7-0) is unbelievable and he’s on a quest to be champ.”
“Desert Storm” Timothy Ray Bradley Jr. and Dominic Salcido are just two of the fighters signed with TBP who are making a mark in boxing.
Alex Camponovo, is TBP’s matchmaker and is also the general manager at Thompson Enterprises for the past 15 years. He says of Bradley’s huge upset over Junior Witter in the U.K. five months ago , “At first, it was tense in England; being in a ‘foreign territory.’ I had confidence in our fighter, but it was a reserved confidence as we didn’t know what to expect. But we trusted our champ and it was an amazing victory. We were elated.”
After suffering his first loss as a pro to Vicente Escobedo last month, TBP’s Dominic Salcido will be coming back to fight on their November 28th card. Camponovo says the lightweight is going back down to 130 and will once again have a winning record within a couple of months.
The Bolivian-born matchmaker enjoys working with Thompson saying, “He gives me creative liberty and offers great leadership. He understands the game, the needs of the fighter, and is 100% fair.”
While promoting TBP, Camponovo has traveled to Spain, England, Mexico and most recently Biloxi, Ms. for 
Bradley’s win over Edner Cherry in September. He is currently gearing up for a flight to China for the annual World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention. Along for the ride will be the undefeated Bradley, as the junior welterweight has also been invited to attend the WBC’s boxing summit. This will be Camponovo’s third time to China and he’s looking forward to catching up with friends that he’s met during his past two trips to the country.
Besides Bradley and Salcido, their stable of contenders includes: Josesito Lopez, Yonnhy Perez, Pavel Miranda, Sergio Espinoza and Juan Carlos Burgos. The capable and hardworking Camponovo is also excited about five new fighters he’s getting ready to work with in the future.
Friday will be another sellout for the TBP team and Camponovo says of the upcoming night, “These kids have a lot of talent and ‘New Blood II’ will be a good test for them.”
Both Thompson and Camponovo were inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006.
Thompson, married to Vera for 40 years and the father three, is a former president of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and also received a Lifetime Achievement award from the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum this past June.
“New Blood II” at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Ca.
222 N. Vineyard Avenue
Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
First bell: 7:45 p.m.
Tickets: 75.00, 45.00 and 30.00
For info: 714-935-0900
PHOTOS: PROMOTER KEN THOMPSON
THOMPSON WITH FERNANDO VARGAS
Story and photos by Michele Chong