Irish slugger at California fight scene!
“Irish” Micky Ward recently traveled to the West Coast to take in the action at Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “Locked ‘N Loaded III” card at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. The popular Massachusetts slugger was checking out the action alongside his friend, boxing coach Julio Peña. The trainer from New Hampshire was in the corner of Jhon Ortega, who battled to victory against German Bacho. Also in attendance was Peña’s star pupil, Patrick “El Elegante” Lopez. The junior welter is promoted by Ken Thompson and fights TONIGHT on the ShoBox broadcast from Chumash Casino Resort in the Santa Ynez Valley. Lopez will be facing Tim “The Pit Bull” Coleman for the USBA/IBF belt.
Micky was a big hit with his fellow fighters and fans in attendance at the sold out Thompson Boxing event held in September. In between bouts, I asked the bomb thrower if he would be staying in Southern Cal for Lopez’s upcoming fight. “I’d love to be there!” the humble and reserved pug said. “But unfortunately, I already had other commitments so I don’t think I can make it.”
We also chatted a bit about his legendary trilogy (or “Thrillogy”) with the late Arturo Gatti. Former foes in the ring, the two became fast friends outside those four corners. But “Thunder” and “Irish” won’t be featured too prominently in the new film “The Fighter” about Micky and his half-brother Dickie Ecklund. Mark Wahlberg portrays Ward and Christian Bale is the beleaguered Dickie Ecklund in the movie that’s already creating a huge buzz. But Hollywood could surely make another two-hour drama just focusing on those Ward-Gatti wars alone–with a never-ending bloody highlight reel. “Fight of the Year” was an understatement in their three Battle Royales.
Having fan favorite Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) at the fights was an added bonus to the exciting bouts featured during this latest installment of “Locked ‘N Loaded.” As the crowd watched constant back-and-forth action, they didn’t dare blink as non-stop punches were thrown with a few knockouts occurring just for good measure.
Before the Riverside rivalry main event between Jose Reynoso and Hector Serrano, Ward was given a thunderous welcome from the crowd as emcee Sonny Franco brought him up into the ring. Flanked by many special guests, the former champ received a career achievement award–a bronze statue fittingly called “The Fighter.”
Also in attendance were fighters Chris Arreola, Kassim Ouma, Antonio Diaz, Bobby Chacon, Josesito Lopez, Jonathan Arellano, Alejandro Perez, Saul Rodriguez and Danny “El Travieso” Hernandez, amongst others. I was especially happy to see Danny taking in the fights–and healthy on his feet. He was shot in the head in a tragic accident in March but the tough warrior has really battled back, never down for the count. “I can’t wait to get back in there,” the hopeful young boxer said to me as he looked up inside the ropes. Former World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF) President Dr. Joe Noriega, WBHF Director and sculptor of Ward’s statue, Steve Harpst, and a couple of future 
Hall of Fame trainers were also introduced. I later ran into the two friendly guys and great coaches, Jack Mosley and Juan West. I told both of the trainers, “Good luck!” as Jack’s son, “Sugar” Shane, and West’s daughter, Kaliesha, were both set to fight at the Staples Center the very next night. Kaliesha won a championship belt and Shane fought to that infamous draw.
Back in Ontario, outside of the fight arena, ring card girls Melissa and Daisy greeted all the guests with a smile and a nice photo op. I had time to catch up with the promoter and President of Thompson Boxing Promotions earlier in the evening. “It’s been fantastic having Micky Ward here!” enthused Ken Thompson, as the ticket holders began to line up. “The fans love him. From the weigh-in on, he’s been swarmed by EVERYONE!” Thompson’s Matchmaker and General Manager Alex Camponovo echoed the sentiment. “Micky’s a great guy, it’s been a lot of fun to have him here,” Alex added with a smile.
There was also one other special guest at the Doubletree, the promoter’s daughter, Kelly. The ebullient brunette rarely gets to be at her father’s events due to a busy work schedule as an in-demand nurse. But the tall young woman quickly fit in at the fight scene. Meeting Kassim Ouma and Micky Ward, she was right at home amongst the champions. Kelly brought some friends with her who witnessed boxing up close for the first time. They said they loved it and will be back.
And Ward, the pride of Lowell, Massachusetts, mentioned he’ll be back out to California as well. While he had to head back home after the weekend show, the brawler mentioned he will be back out here in a couple of months. “Yes, I plan on coming back here for ‘The Fighter’ premiere in Los Angeles,” he told me. The highly-anticipated movie will be released in December.
The packed audience (with actual busloads of hundreds of loyal fight fans and boxer’s friends and families streaming in) was surprised and excited to have Micky Ward at ringside, making a rare SoCal appearance at this Ontario show.
You just never know who you’ll get to meet at the fights! And the Thompson Boxing team already is planning an upcoming show–NEXT Friday, October 8th with their hard-hitting “New Blood” series featuring Alberto Herrera vs. Chris Chatman, Donyil Livingston vs. Steve Macomber, Christopher Rizo vs. Alex Viramontes, Sergio Nuñez vs. Mike Cross, Oscar Andrade vs. Federico Martinez and Daniel Roman vs. Salvador Cifuentes on the lineup.
See you at the fights!
Photos by Michele Chong
