Exclusive: Ken Thompson on Former Champ’s Return
Former boxing champion Jhonatan “Momo” Romero (31-1, 17 KOs) hopes to be back in the ring and fighting on U.S. soil again soon.
The amateur star and Cali, Colombia native laced up last year in Bogota. But he hasn’t fought in the United States since a 2016 victory in Tustin, California. His promoter Ken Thompson (Thompson Boxing Promotions) is hoping that the Latino warrior will once again be able to wow the crowds in Southern California and beyond.
Thompson, General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo and the Thompson Boxing Promotions (TBP) crew have long been one of the busiest promotional companies in SoCal. They stage at least one live boxing show a month and 2019 is already shaping up to be another jam-packed year of sold-out events taking place in Ontario, Orange, Sacramento, Corona and more. With TBP’s full slate of live shows beginning with last Friday’s (February 8) “New Blood” show all the way through November 2019, boxing fans will get to see all the action as the prizefighters showcase their power in the ring. Their shows are known to feature competitive matches, a friendly atmosphere, celebrity guests in a high octane atmosphere for all ages.
And Thompson is optimistic that Momo will give the spectators more exciting performances in the future. I caught up with the busy entrepreneur to hear his thoughts on the return of Romero.
“Momo really brings a level of excitement to any arena he fights in; the crowd loves him,” comments the Hall of Fame promoter. “And he wants to come back and fight in the U.S. to prove he’s still a world champ.”
South America’s Jhonatan Ecchemomo Romero Preciado (known as “Momo”) has been involved in the fight game for many years. He made his professional boxing debut in 2009 and his U.S. debut in 2014. The athlete has just one defeat on his record (a loss to Kiko Martinez back in 2013) and a career highlight was winning the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Super Bantamweight championship. He has fought the likes of Alejandro Lopez, Chris Avalos, Efrain Esquivias, Ruben Tamayo, etc. en route to a successful career in the sweet science.
And his promoter believes the featherweight is ready to fight for another title in the future.
“He’s ready to get back in the ring and in front of the U.S. audience,” Thompson tells me, “and he really wants to prove he will be ready for another chance to fight for a title in the future.”
Ken Thompson has been in the sport for decades and is well respected in boxing circles. He and Camponovo have built a top notch stable of talent including current champs, former world titlists and Olympians, rising contenders and hungry young prospects. Through the years, they have nourished homegrown heroes and watched these boxers become stars with their loyal fan bases cheering on the punchers.
Thompson says Romero, 32, still fits right in in this explosive crop of TBP champions and prizefighters and that boxer’s got plenty of gas left in the tank.
“When you see Momo in the ring, he is dynamite!” Thompson expresses. “He’s got speed, desire and with his style of fighting, Momo is one of the most exciting and charismatic fighters you can see.”
While he packs a punch inside the squared circle, Jhonatan has worked hard to elevate himself from humble beginnings and a hardscrabble childhood. I asked Ken his thoughts of Romero as a person outside the ropes?
“As a person, he represents hard work, ethics and high morale standards,” Thompson quickly replies. “He worked hard to make his dreams come true; Momo is an outstanding guy and an exciting fighter to watch!”
While Jhonatan “Momo” Romero is currently in Colombia, Thompson Boxing Promotions is hopeful that the former champion will return to the U.S. soon to prove he’s still got the skill and will in his quest for another chance at a title.
Photos courtesy of Thompson Boxing Promotions