Outdoor Fights With the Big Guns!
The stars came out at night to check out Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “New Blood” show held this past weekend at Omega Products International in Corona. SoCal boxing fans always look forward to this special outdoor show which featured seven live bouts. “This is my favorite event of the year!” voiced many from within the standing-room only crowd.
Boxing under the stars was the added draw of this “New Blood” series, presented by promoter Ken Thompson and Matchmaker/General Manager Alex Camponovo, which had many Southland fighters and boxing luminaries in attendance. At the Thompson fights, a fun prize drawing was offered with donations benefiting a local gym in need.
Before the bouts began and before the sun went down, I had a chance to make the rounds to catch up with some familiar faces in the local boxing scene. Making my way around the large venue, I caught up with the Franco family. Trainer Al Franco’s son Daniel was on the card this night. His fighting brother Mike “Lil Warrior” Franco was also there to lend support, along with sister and ring card girl Vanessa, their mom Teresa, brother Nick, and a big group of Franco fans. Later that night Daniel “Twitch” Franco would get a unanimous decision in his match versus Mauro Brenes. Look for this undefeated rising star to stay busy through the rest of the year.
I next chatted with Al Franco, trainer Henry Ramirez, and new pro fighters Rashad Hughes and Saul Rodriguez (who will make his professional debut soon). Ramirez also had a busy night last Friday as his fighter Roberto Crespo faced off against Lalo Castro’s Javier Albonica in an exciting four-round war that had people calling it the “Fight of the Night.” Crespo, nicknamed “The Puerto Rican Prince” won in a 39-37 decision. The crowd was riveted by this fierce back and forth battle and if these two ever rematch, it would be a win for the fans.
Also there to cheer on his fellow Thompson Boxing stablemates was unbeaten super bantamweight Jonathan Arellano, who’s trained by Henry Ramirez as well. Looks like “Lil Thunder” will be back in the ring September 23 at the Doubletree Ontario show. Another Thompson fighter in attendance was Danny “El Travieso” Hernandez. After being shot in the head last year, the courageous warrior has been back in the gym sparring and hopes to return to the ring soon.
As the night progressed, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. introduced many of these familiar faces at ringside including fighters Josesito Lopez, Jose Reynoso, Rafael Lopez, Sindy Amador, Jhon Ortega, Bobby Velardez, Hall of Fame trainer Bennie Georgino, and World Boxing Hall of Fame’s Dr. Joe Noriega.
There were two belts on the lines this night: an NABF strap and a WBC Latino title.
In the main event Efrain Esquivias Jr. squared off against Juan Ruiz for the NABF Super Bantamweight Championship. While Esquivias, the pride of Carson, would win this bout via unanimous decision he did not claim the belt after coming in over the contracted weight at the official weigh-in.
For Colton’s Artemio Reyes, the welterweight was able to capture his first title after a second-round knockout over Miguel Angel Munguia in the co-main. “King” Reyes is now the reigning WBC Latino Welterweight Championship.
As World Boxing Council (WBC) Supervisor Rudy Tellez was readying the belts at ringside, I joined former heavyweight champ Lamon Brewster to check out the gleaming metal. As the slugger tested out the belts, I mentioned to him that I can tell he misses being in the ring.
“Oh yeah,” the fighter called “Relentless” replied. “I sure like these belts.” He then pretended to walk away, teasing, “I’m gonna ‘steal’ these!”
Since his last bout in 2010, Brewster has been very busy outside the ring. His new business (FightingConnection.com) bands the fight community to work together in sparring and training, promotions, fights, and more. Lamon’s associate Barry was also there to catch all the action at “New Blood.”
There was also a big heavyweight “collision” outside the ropes. WBC Fecombox Champ Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola and “Relentless” Lamon Brewster met up as they greeted each other with a friendly handshake. This hard-hitting pair both last fought in the 230-235 range. No doubt there would’ve been fireworks on the canvas if Arreola and Brewster had ever traded leather. In a fistic connection between the two, there’s been a lot of buzz that Chris may be facing Wladimir Klitschko in the future. Brewster holds the distinction of being the last man to KO the Klitschko brother.
But when these two big guns of Brewster and Arreola met up in person there was no snarling face-off or glaring stare down between this bomb-throwing duo.
In this boxing fraternity, the boxers showed mutual respect with the only clash being their big smiles against the flashbulbs.
Check out some of my snapshots from the “New Blood” fights under the sky at Omega and see you at the fights!
Photos by Michele Chong
