Double Celebration for SoCal Boxing Promoter
Today (February 10) marks the birthday of boxing promoter Ken Thompson. He had an early celebration during the Super Bowl game as guests at the private party rooted for their favorite football team while also celebrating the Hall of Fame promoter and businessman’s B-day.
It was a full house at the Ontario, Calif. fiesta with employees, vendors and clients from his Thompson Boxing Promotions and Thompson Building Materials all gathering at this annual gathering.
Thompson is President and Founder of Thompson Boxing Promotions, which is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. The TBP crew has a full slate of live boxing shows planned through the end of the year with a February 21 show coming up at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.
At the Super Bowl Sunday event, there was a special Ten Count for Laker superstar Kobe Bryant and also an appearance by the “Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez (who began his pro boxing career with TBP) and his brother Rafael Lopez. Ken’s wife Vera and daughter Lisa were also in attendance as well as hundreds of co-workers.
Longtime friend and World Boxing Hall of Fame alum Memo Santos surprised Thompson with a spectacular five-layer birthday cake with different flavors, T-shirts commemorating Ken’s birthday, and two large banners proclaiming 82 years young.
The well wishers remarked how Thompson is a big part of the community with his popular boxing shows, a yearly car show, a fundraising dinner/boxing event and more. Known for his fairness and generosity, the guests at the football/birthday party also mentioned his loyalty and business acumen.
And in his boxing dealings, Ken’s promotional company is known for their homegrown champions such as Josesito Lopez, Timothy Bradley, Mauricio Herrera, Danny Roman and others who got their start with TBP. And Thompson’s stable continues to swell with a talented crop of champs, contenders and young prospects.
For his birthday, former champ Sindy “La Alacrana” Amador shared her thoughts in a social media post: “Happy Birthday, Mr. Thompson…Thank you for all that you have done for all of us–the fighters that are chasing dreams. And thank you for believing in me and helping me to build my career and supporting me to become World Champion. You are an amazing human being, I love you and I appreciate you very much!”
David Malow (whose father worked with Thompson) added: “A classy, generous, gracious, fun and charming gentleman…And one helluva businessman!”
Combining an innate sense of business and a passion for boxing, Ken Thompson continues to make an impact in the sport.
Happy Birthday!
Photos by Michele Chong
