“New Blood” Brings Out the Stars

Covering the Scene in Ontario!

There was plenty of pound-for-pound star power sharing the canvas last Friday night at Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “New Blood” card held at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

Featuring five bouts of action, SoCal fight fans were treated to a night of some great back and forth action in some very close fights. The evening began with a knockout victory for Jhon Ortega over Hector Garza (who failed to beat the referee’s count) and continued all the way to the main event of IBF Light Welter Champ Mauricia Herrera’s win over time-tested veteran Cristian Favela; and in between were some tough bloody wars thrown in the mix.

The “New Blood” series, presented by promoter Ken Thompson and General Manager and matchmaker Alex Camponovo, has become known for their exciting matchups supported by a huge crowd that came out this past weekend.

During the evening I had time to catch up with many familiar faces in the local scene; it’s an especially busy time for boxing with tons of fights just around the corner. The majority of the boxers I visited with all have fights lined up in the next few weeks–and it looks like May will be one busy month.

Popular “Contender” star Alfonso Gomez came out to support his fellow boxers, watching East L.A. pal Aaron Martinez win a split decision over Riverside’s Alberto Herrera in an all-out brawl. Looking lean and ready to go, Gomez himself will lace up against Calvin Green on May 21 at the Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa. Besides being a prizefighter, the WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Champ also is in the music biz with Hy3rid, a band formed by brothers Robb and Zeuz. The band, showcasing a blend of rock and hip hop in Spanish, recently performed in a San Diego “Kick it with the Band” competition.

Also caught up with 2008 Olympian Javier Molina and Carlos Molina. The two “Bash Brothers” were there with their father and ex-amateur boxer, Miguel. The guys told me the third fighting brother, Oscar Molina, is in Mexico. Javier will be fighting May 14 on the Andre Ward-Arthur Abraham clash while older bro Carlos will be fighting on May 27 in Pico Rivera. Both boxers are undefeated and look to keep their perfect records going.

In the lobby, there was also a poignant reminder honoring WBC Junior Lightweight Champ Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez, who has been battling a rare and deadly form of cancer since October 2008. Promoter Ken Thompson is holding a special raffle with all proceeds going to Hernandez, to aid and assist him in the mounting medical bills he has faced. Fans attending the fight had a chance to purchase a raffle ticket to win a car. The donations from the raffle will be given to the World Boxing Council and presented to “Chicanito.” “The WBC contacted me with the idea to help Genaro,” the California Hall of Fame promoter tells me, “so with this raffle, I will be giving away a Mercedes S500 before Father’s Day!”

While heading into the venue, I was also happy to see one of the stars from the World Series of Boxing competition, David “Dream Catcher” Imoesiri. The heavyweight competed with the Los Angeles Matadors team in a tough international series. The Long Beach favorite just finished wrapping up their season–which brought a brand new audience to the sport of amateur boxing. Look for Imoesiri to continue making his mark in boxing and beyond.

From the amateur rising stars to the pro champions, all packed into the ballroom to take in the fights.

But in this brotherhood of boxers, one fighter got some much-deserved added recognition. Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. told the audience that during Thursday’s weigh-in boxer Jhon Ortega became a true ring hero. As he was waiting by the hotel pool, the junior welterweight from New Hampshire saved a small boy from drowning. This real-life drama and courageous act was applauded by all the fans.

Lennon Jr. then announced the hearty group of champions and contenders in attendance. Besides Alfonso Gomez, the Molina brothers and David Imoesiri, included in the line-up were heavyweight champ Chris Arreola (fighting May 14 in Carson), WBC Latino Featherweight Champ Daniel Ponce de Leon, NABF Light Welter Champ Josesito Lopez (fighting May 27 in Reno), WBA champ Efrain Esquivias, Charles Huerta (fighting May 20 in Orange County), young amateur champion Saul Rodriguez, former champions Bobby “School Boy” Chacon and Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, female fighter Lissette Medel, trainer Bennie Georgino and Timothy Bradley Sr., WBC Judge of the Year Max De Luca, former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Dr. Joe Noriega, former Chief Inspector Dean Lohuis, “Business of Pain” author Araceli Martinez Rose, among many others.

It was a star-studded showing on the canvas as the boisterous crowd voiced their approval.

Thompson Boxing Promotions will host their next show on June 24.

For more on the fights click here:

Photos by Michele Chong