Unbeaten Slugger Scores Another KO
Heavyweight LaRon Mitchell (9-0, 9 KOs) keeps his perfect record intact with a dominating win over Tennessee’s Curtis Lee Tate (7-7, 6 KOs) on the “New Blood” show Friday night at the Omega Products Outdoor Arena in Corona, Calif. The card was promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil.
Scheduled for six rounds, this co-main attraction ended early as Mitchell delivered punishing blows on the body of his foe. After scoring two knockdowns, referee Ray Corona halted the contest at 1:18 in opening round after Tate once again tasted the canvas for the third and final time.
With this latest victory, LaRon and his team plan on staying busy while Mitchell continues to gain wins and experience in the ring.
I caught up with the Bay Area team after their Friday night knockout.
Mitchell was signed by Thompson Boxing Promotions President Ken Thompson and General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo last year. Since then, the slugger has kept his knockout percentage at 100%.
“I was surprised he got up,” he says of Tate initially getting back on his feet. “I hit him with some good body shots. I’d be ready to fight again next month if I could!”
LaRon was happy with his win–and is already hungry for more. He says he’s ready to lace up again soon and is hoping to get one to two more fights in before the year ends.
And while he may have just started boxing a few years ago, his team says the San Francisco State University grad is a natural athlete who also played football before become a fighter. And in an interesting twist, Mitchell balances the boxing gym with the classroom–he is a P.E. teacher in the Bay Area. At some
of his recent fights at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif, several of his young students were seen and heard cheering ringside.
Mitchell’s got a lot of believers in his corner including the Fire in the Ring Boxing Gym team which consists of manager Andy Nance (former pro fighter), Head Coach Jimmy Ford, Assistant Coach Clyde Sison, Cutman Gil “Candyman” Nieves and team member Pat McTiernan. Ford and Sison also have pro bouts under their belts.
The crew tells me that LaRon first entered their nonprofit gym (which allows kids to work out for free) with one of his students who was interested in working out and learning how to box. The gym in located in Brisbane (about 10 miles from San Francisco) and has helped out many at-risk children and teens in the community. But when the Fire in the Ring trainers took one look at the hulking heavyweight, they suggested he try on the gloves himself and thus, a pugilist was born.
The ascent was quick. The learning curve swift.
During his amateur career, Mitchell, 35, found success and a new calling. The Bay Area boxer defeated Olympian and fellow pro Dominic Breazeale in the 2012 Olympic Trials and his cornermen proudly tell me that LaRon was rated #1 in the country.
Now after just two years as a professional prizefighter, the future looks bright for this teacher turned boxer.
And it’s this duality that impresses his manager Andy Nance. Nance notched 22 victories while he was a pro and earned a USA California State title along the way. The veteran manager (who is also a California Boxing Hall of Famer) knows talent when he sees it and heaps praise on the humble Mitchell. When one first meets LaRon, his presence can appear intimidating but as soon as you shake his hand, his down-to-earth personality and easy smile comes through. He is one of those “quiet” ones who turns into beast mode in the squared circle.
I asked Andy to name LaRon’s best attributes.
“In or out of the ring?” Nance replies, “because he’s two different guys!”
Nance began working with Mitchell when the heavyweight first turned pro a couple years ago.
“LaRon is a solid, stand-up guy. He’s a physical education teacher and I think he will someday be a principal too,” Andy comments. “But when that bell rings, he’s a KILLER. He’s not there to play ‘patty cake,’ he’s gonna take your head off!”
Nance also adds that the team is very happy to be working with Thompson Boxing Promotions. “They are the best promoter; first class,” Andy says.
While chatting with the guys, I notice that the team has great chemistry between them. While Ford and Sison teach Mitchell the strict disciplines of the sweet science, outside the ropes the men have an easygoing rapport amongst the team members. Team Mitchell remains strong and focused while also finding time for kicking back and sharing some good-natured ribbing when there’s time.
Mitchell’s power and skills will continue to be honed to perfection with the Fire in the Ring team. His KO streak will be one to watch as they busy boxer looks ahead to the future. And he has a busy schedule ahead. LaRon continues to teach P.E. classes, is engaged to be married, and is climbing up the ranks in the heavyweight division.
Look for LaRon Mitchell and his team to be back in the ring in a couple of months as the puncher goes after his 10th pro victory!
Photos by Michele Chong