The Scene at “Path to Glory”
The “Path to Glory” fight night got the weekend off to a blash with seven bouts of action featured Friday, October 21, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario in Ontario, Calif. Presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions, the evening featured everything from a heavyweight tussle to a comeback victory to a pro debut and more.
The promotional company (with President/Founder Ken Thompson and General Manager Alex Camponovo) have held their series of live shows since 2000 and are known for their competitive fights and lively atmosphere at their venues.
Friday’s main event featured a rumble between heavyweights LaRon Mitchell vs. Scott Alexander in a 10 round bout for the vacant NABF Junior heavyweight title. When the scorecards were read by ring announcer Thomas Treiber, it was Mitchell’s hand raised in victory with a unanimous decision win for the unbeaten slugger hailing from San Francisco. The WBC’s Mo Noor was ringside to present the brand new champ his green and gold strap as Thompson Boxing adds another champion belt to its stable.
After the win, I caught up with LaRon to hear his thoughts about his new hardware. As he held held the shiny belt across his shoulder, the new champ told me, “I’m ready for whatever comes next. Since I’m in the Top 15, I’m always focused and ready for any match that comes up!” After his victory, the fighter/school teacher had manager Andy Nance, trainer Jimmy Ford and cornermen/team Gil “Candyman” Nieves, Clyde Sison and Pat McTiernan all celebrating with friends and family who traveled down south to witness the win.
Also relishing a big victory was Juan “Pochito” Reyes. In his comeback clash, Juanito won a unanimous decision over tough Cesar Villaraga (a former Olympian). Reyes used his aggressive nonstop punching style to score a win over Villaraga. The two have known each other for a while and an hour after their war was over, the boxers showed great sportsmanship by greeting each other in the hallway and having a friendly conversation about their bout. Reyes took a hiatus from the ring but plans to stay busy in the future. Beginning with Friday night’s win, he is newly focused and dedicated. “I really gave it my all in the ring,” he said as a group of family members (including his grandmother who traveled from Mexico) surrounded the victor.
New Thompson Boxing signee Michael Dutchover also scored a “W” in his professional debut in the Southland. The amateur star is now training in SoCal with noted trainer Danny Zamora and is one to watch. Dutchover got a third round victory when his opponent Cesar Partida could not continue the battle. The young rising star told me he’s happy to be a professional prizefighter and he can’t wait to get in the ring again.
All in all, the “Path to Glory” fights continue to showcase new talent and future champs.
Seated in the audience were many current and past champs, pro sluggers and amateur boxers including Hall of Famer Tony “The Tiger” Lopez, heavyweights Chris Arreola, Gerald Washington, Dominic Breazeale, Courage Tshabalala and Mario Heredia, Jhonatan Romero, Martin Castillo, Carlos Bojorquez, Danny Roman, Oscar Negrete, Ruben Villa IV, Sindy Amador, Isaac Zarate, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Mando Muniz, Rudy Garcia, Charlie Sheehy, Miguel Gaona, trainer Abel Sanchez (Gennady Golovkin) and many more.
It was Tony “The Tiger” Lopez’s first time at the Thompson fights and he said he really enjoyed the fights with their back-and-forth action. The former champ and new West Coast Boxing Hall of Famer traveled from Sacramento to check out the main event action with its Northern Cal connection of Team Mitchell and Fire in the Ring Boxing Gym.
During the night, a father-son duo of boxing officials was also introduced to the crowd. California State Athletic Commission’s (CSAC) boxing referees/judges Raul Caiz Sr. and his son Raul Caiz Jr. worked till the late hours on Friday night–on the eve of their 2016 induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. Their hard work and dedication to the sport was noted in the ring.
For fight fans in SoCal, Thompson Boxing has two upcoming fight nights on the horizon. There will be a Showtime “ShoBox” card at Omega Products Events Center (co-promoted with Banner Promotions) and a November 18 show back at the DoubleTree.
It’s been a busy year of live fights for the Thompson Boxing squad and the next two shows promise to bring more championship action!
Photos by Michele Chong
