Thompson Boxing Promotions “High Stakes” card
“High Stakes” was the name of Friday night’s boxing show and it was a sure bet to say the crowd had a rollicking good time at the outdoor fights presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions.
For Southern California boxing fans, the outdoor Omega Products International in Corona is the perfect place to catch the live action while ushering in the start of another summer weekend. Promoter Ken Thompson and matchmaker Alex Camponovo featured five action-filled bouts including a WBC Championship fight in the headliner between Mauricio Herrera vs. Jason Davis.
The local fight scene is always a great way to catch up with all the latest boxing news in the L.A. community. I said hello to boxing manager and Espinoza Boxing Club President Frank Espinoza and inquired about his most famous member of his stable, Mexican warrior Israel Vazquez. The super bantamweight is looking to return to the ring, but no concrete plans have been finalized yet on date or opponent. Espinoza says that his fighter will hopefully return in the fall.
Also was happy to see World Boxing Council’s Jill Diamond and Rudy Tellez. The WBCares Chair Diamond has just arrived from the East Coast and had her pretty niece Whitney with her. It was Whitney’s first trip out to Cali and the two were looking forward to taking in all the sights. Later in the evening, Diamond and Supervisor Tellez awarded the WBC USNBC Jr. Welterweight belt to Mauricio Herrera, who retained his crown.
I ran into the always-busy Joel Diaz, trainer of champ Timothy Bradley, and a popular Coachella Valley fixture. His two brothers, Antonio and Julio (just as busy as their older bro) are both still active in the fight game. I asked Joel the status of the upcoming bout between Antonio and Zab Judah, which is to take place on the undercard of the Mayweather-Marquez September 19 battle. “Yes, it’s happening,” Diaz confirmed with a grin. “We just signed the contract last night!”
And at a sold-out boxing event, you never know who you’re going to run into. While making my way out of the ladies’ room, I encountered the crowd’s favorite heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola, who was with his stablemate Jose Lopez, trainer Henry Ramirez, and cutman “Indian” Willie Schunke. Arreola was wearing a fancy CA necklace, and earlier in the night when introduced in the ring had playfully put it around the neck of Thompson Boxing’s Camponovo. The cool and classy Alex is always a stylish dresser, but somehow the super-sized pendant suits the hulking heavyweight just a little bit better!
The fans were all abuzz about Arreola’s September 26 clash against Vitali Klitschko, with “The Nightmare” being the underdog against the veteran Ukrainian. Chris didn’t seem like he was letting any of that get to him, and it’s another safe bet to say it will be an exciting night when the well-liked Mexican-American steps through the ropes. Expect the L.A. crowd to show their support in full force!
The audience at Friday night’s fight were in a fun and festive mood while enjoying boxing under the stars with a live D.J. adding to the party atmosphere.
The “High Stakes” emcee was Sonny Franco who announced several local boxers to the audience including 2008 Olympian Shawn Estrada. The middleweight said he’ll be on the undercard of the aforementioned Arreola-Klitschko battle next month at the Staples Center. Estrada was also there to represent his good friend Walter “Schoolboy” Sarnoi, who was fighting that night. The two young boxers grew up together and went through the amateur ranks at the same time.
Also in attendance were Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, Mando Muñiz, Bobby Chacon and trainers Jack Mosley and Bennie Georgino. A sentimental “Ten Count” was held for three fallen legends the boxing community is mourning: Alexis Arguello, Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest.
Thompson Boxing’s next show will be at the Doubletree Ontario on September 11.
For a full fight recap: Click Here.
Photos by Michele Chong: The Omega scene: Chris Arreola and Jose Lopez; Olympian Shawn Estrada; Team Schoolboy; Walter wins!; Jack Mosley and Gwen Adair; WBC’s Jill Diamond, Whitney, and Rudy Tellez; Mando Muñiz strike a pose, “El Gato”; MyBoxingFans Publisher Edgar Gonzalez with Frank Espinoza