Meet the WBC Youth Champion “Lil’ Thund’r”
On April 6, unbeaten Jonathan Arellano (12-0-1, 3 KOs) got his 12th victory as a pro after a seventh-round stoppage of Mexicali’s Jose Angel Cota (15-6, 11 KOs) at Thompson Boxing Promotions “Path to Glory” show at the Doubletree in Ontario, Calif. For this undefeated super bantamweight, the win keeps him on that straight and narrow path to finding continued success.
Announced as “Lil’ Thund’r” every time he enters the ring, the young fighter has built a strong 
local fan base since his 2009 pro debut. His last fight brought out a large contingent of friends, family and loads of support from his surrounding community of Ontario.
“It was great to have so many people there,” Jonathan told me this past weekend while at a boxing gathering. “It felt good in my fight and I hope to fight again in June.”
The Southern California fighter, coached by Henry Ramirez, trains out of cornerman “Indian” Willie Schunke’s private gym in Riverside, where champs and contenders Mikey Garcia, Chris Arreola, Saul Rodriguez and others also lace up. One of the highlights of Jonathan’s burgeoning career was winning the WBC Intercontinental Youth Champion in September of last year.
Right after his recent victory over Cota, in a bout scheduled for eight rounds, veteran boxing scribe Bill O’Neill raved about the boxer’s win. “Jonathan was sharp tonight,” O’Neill, a former amateur slugger and one of the first Presidents of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, told me as we watched Team Arellano score another victory. “I’ve seen his boxing skills really improve through the years,” Bill nodded. “His left hook is his best weapon!”
Arellano, a 2005 Chaffey High School alum and Ontario PAL youth boxer, has become a hero and mentor to many of the young amateurs he meets along the way. The hometown hero has also kept his connections to the past just as strong.
“A lot of my high school teachers came to my fight!” he says with a smile. “I love all the support from everyone.”
Also in attendance at the April 6 show was a foursome of Lopez beauties, including Jonathan’s wife, Selina, who was there with her three sisters. Cheering on their favorite fighter were Selina’s siblings–recording artist and actress T Lopez, Dele (DJ Dill Tronic) and Freezy. With the gals were four-year-old Josiah and baby Jorden, the Arellanos two kids.
How does Jonathan balance boxing, fatherhood and everything else coming his way?
He’s been fielding offers from the entertainment world (the Lopez sisters grew up working in showbiz) while striking a pose at many red carpet affairs. Jon’s a natural in front of the cameras and is also trilingual–speaking English, Spanish and Tagalog (Arellano has Filipino ancestry).
Comfortable in the studio as well as a boxing ring, Jonathan juggles his love of the fight game with his recent segment on the TV series “LatiNation,” where he credits his family as his secret to his success.
With wife Selina by his side, the close-knit clan provides a solid foundation built by hard work, faith and discipline.
But there’s still plenty of time for fun for this attractive pair and their two little boys. Josiah, 4, is an aspiring actor/model/YouTube sensation who has already acquired his own fan following when he appears ringside at his fathers fights–often decked out in kids’ size boxing gloves, miniature robe, or hipster outfits that make him the best-dressed toddler around. While chatting w
ith the couple, the duo tell me funny anecdotes about raising two kids. And in my conversation with the two, I also learn about Arellano’s “hidden talent”!
When hearing about the athlete’s background in sports while as a teen, his wife reveals Jonathan’s other passion besides fisticuffs: Break Dancing.
It’s really not such a stretch to imagine that he’d be adept as a dancer who’s agile in hip hop, break dancing, Krumping and more. Fighters use fancy footwork and slick moves to excel in the ring. It’s just that Arellano took that “Boxer’s Shuffle” to the extreme and beyond.
“He was the best dancer; he was phenomenal!” Selina, a successful events planner says with a smile. “He would always win the competitions. He had a studio where he taught dancing too.”
I try and get the boxer to show me some moves but I’m out of luck, even as I threaten to bust out my best “Cabbage Patch” in a dance-off with him. The boxer doesn’t budge.
So can his fans expect to see any dance moves either in his walk outs or on the canvas?
Arellano laughs. “Probably not for a while,” he replies, preferring to keep his boxing separate from his days competing as a “B-Boy” star back in the day. He does show me some photos he had in his phone of his crew on stage performing in shows and competitions.
Selina explains that her husband reached the point in his dual careers of boxer and dancer where he had to choose one or the other.
The sweet science ruled out. And the Arellano camp has never looked back.
In looking ahead, the horizon remains open ended for the telegenic prizefighter.
While there’s been a bit of a buzz of a friendly rivalry with fellow Thompson Boxing fighter Richard “El Terminador” Contreras (who may return to the ring in June), Jonathan says the two camps remain on good terms. Arellano’s trainer Henry Ramirez and Contreras’ coach Joe 
Esquivel are compadres who used to work in the ring together. Esquivel has told me previously he gives Henry props for the experience he gained while working with Team Arreola. But many in boxing circles would still love to see this super bantam clash between the boxer and the slugger in a crosstown rivalry. Since Arellano and Contreras are both promoted by Ken Thompson, it remains to be seen if this matchup will make sense fight-wise or dollar-wise for all parties involved, no matter how much the local fans are clamoring for this.
Thinking big, I ask Jonathan who his all-time dream opponent would be if he could face anyone in the future?
“Nonito Donaire!” is his immediate reply.
With the “Filipino Flash” now fighting at 122, “Lil’ Thund’r” Arellano dreams of his shot someday against superstar Donaire.
For now, the unbeaten Jonathan Arellano will remain on his own “Path to Glory” with more championship goals in sight.
Photos by Michele Chong/ Ring photos by Marlene Marquez