Knockout action at Thompson Boxing!
Last Friday night could be called a real “knockout” of an evening at Thompson Boxing Promotions’ exciting “New Blood” series held at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
Fans did not dare look away with the multitude of fireworks going off in the ring and the majority of the matchups not going the distance:
Alberto Herrera vs. Chris Chatman: 6 Rounds (Main Event)
Chatman wins by TKO at 2:47 in Round 4 (Herrera down twice in Round 1)
Christopher Rizo vs. Alex Viramontes: 6 Rounds (Co-Main)
Rizo gets unanimous decision with scores of 60-54
Oscar Andrade vs. Federico Martinez: 4 Rounds
Andrade pounds his way to a first round KO at 2:07 after opening bell
Donyil Livingston vs. Steve Macomber: 4 Rounds
Livingston adds second pro victory with TKO at 2:55 in Round 2
Sergio Nuñez vs. Mike Cross: 4 Rounds
Nuñez is the victor in Round 2 with stoppage at 2:36
Daniel Roman vs. Cristian Cruz: 4 Rounds
Roman debuts with a speedy TKO win in just 43 seconds of first round
And in between bouts, with promoter Ken Thompson and General Manager and Matchmaker Alex Camponovo by his side, announcer Sonny Franco took center ring while he held a “Ten Count” for boxing aficionado Stacy White, who passed away on September 28.
Also seen at the fights were boxers Efrain Esquivias, Josesito Lopez and Rodolfo Gonzalez, trainer Bennie Georgino and former World Boxing Hall of Fame President (WBHF) Dr. Joe Noriega. Thompson, a former WBHF President himself, was also a very proud grandfather with his handsome grandson and college student Ben making a special appearance at the fight night.
A couple of famed gyms were represented at the “New Blood” show as well. A group from Wild Card came out in support of DonYil Livingston’s second successful pro effort, including welterweight Rashad Holloway. Rashad has moved back to Cali and said he’s happy to be in L.A. again. Another SoCal visitor at the fights was female fighter Trina Ortegon. The former pro and I chatted about her state of New Mexico and its homegrown crop of boxers. Besides Ortegon, Archie Marquez, Holly Holm and Johnny Tapia are just 
some of the many talented Albuquerque sluggers that Trina says have represented her hometown.
Also in attendance were fighters Daniel Ponce De Leon, Freddy Hernandez and Kina Malpartida. The trio are all from the same Maywood gym and came out to watch their stablemate, Sergio Nuñez, in his pro debut. Looks like all three warriors will be back on the canvas before the year ends too. Southpaw Ponce told me there’s talk of an upcoming December 4 scrap in Cancun; Freddy says he will be lacing up on November 27 against Andre Berto in Vegas for the WBC Welter title.
The enthusiastic Hernandez is really looking forward to battling Berto. “Andre is fast, strong and is good technically,” Freddy allowed with a nod. “But while he may be a little dangerous…he is NOT invincible!”
“Any predictions?” I asked him during a break in the “New Blood” wars.
“No predictions,” he replied diplomatically. “You can just say that I’ll be ready!”
One fighter that was ready last Friday was the main event star, Chris Chatman. With the upset of local favorite and formerly unbeaten Alberto Herrera, Chatman–whose ring name is “The Last Chapter”–was reveling in the glory after closing the book on Herrera in the fourth round of their fight. Long after his KO victory, the energetic southpaw was seen still clad only in his black and red-fringed trunks celebrating his big win. The challenger from San Diego couldn’t hide his joy as his supporters patted him on the back in the lobby of the venue. Seeing the oversized “New Blood” posters that touted Herrera vs. Chatman placed all around the entrance, Chris picked one up with a winning smile as he continued his celebration.
As for his foe, Alberto Herrera, look for the young Riverside fighter and younger brother of another tough pug, Mauricio Herrera, to be back soon.
The Friday fight replay will be broadcast on Fox Sports en Español (check your local listings). The next card presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions is scheduled for November 12.
See you at the fights!
Photos by Michele Chong/ RING PHOTOS BY RAY FLORES