Heavyweight’s KO Streak Intact
California heavyweight LaRon Mitchell is certainly on a knockout streak.
The southpaw has fought 13 times, winning by KO in each pro fight thus far. On June 24, the 6’4″ slugger scored his latest knockout–Lucky #13 as he headlined Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “Locked N’ Loaded” card at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.
In his latest outing, Mitchell locked horns with Colombian veteran Epifanio “El Diamante” Mendoza (42-23-1, 36 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder. LaRon went to work and took care of business early within three rounds of action. While Mendoza used his smothering tactics to go head to head with Mitchell, the younger fighter was not deterred or frustrated. The battle for the inside advantage continued as the two men traded punches. The Barranquilla puncher is no newbie in the ring; Mendoza has faced off against Luis Ortiz, Travis Kauffman, Dominic Breazeale, Amir Mansour, Sullivan Barrera, Lateef Kayode, Chad Dawon, Jeff Lacy, and many more during his lengthy career (he debuted back in 1999). With his ring experience and 36 knockouts, Mendoza was no walkover.
But LaRon showed his power and skills inside the ropes going toe to toe with his rival. With Mendoza continuing his inside game, Mitchell kept his poise, looking for openings and landing a thudding body shot at the 52 second mark in Round 3. As “El Diamante” collapsed to the canvas, referee Raul Caiz Sr. halted the contest when Mendoza was clearly unable to continue.
With this consecutive knockout, Mitchell’s KO “Express Train” to the top continues. Ask his opponents and they may tell you he’s more like a freight train of power.
I caught up with the Bay Area boxer right after his victory. Inside the ring, he is fierce and focused. Outside the ropes, LaRon (who works as a teacher) is a amiable, humble guy. The San Francisco State University alum trains at the Fire in the Ring Boxing Gym in Brisbane and counts on his corner for his quick ascent in the fight game. Team Mitchell includes manager Andy Nance, trainer Jimmy Ford, cornermen Clyde Sison and Gil “Candyman” Nieves and team member Pat McTiernan.
I asked LaRon about Mendoza’s smothering style? He said he actually liked fighting in that style and was up for the challenge. This active KO king also replied that he was happy with his win against a rugged more experienced fighter like Mendoza.
Since his pro debut in 2013, the athlete has kept extremely busy. He is a 2014 signee with Thompson Boxing Promotions and won “2016 Fighter of the Year” honors at this year’s National Boxing Hall of Fame awards. And in between, he’s gloved up plenty. The SoCal slugger, 36, has laced up five times in 2015 and has fought three times already in 2016 with bouts in February, March and June of this year.
Thompson Boxing Promotions’ Ken Thompson and Alex Camponovo see the talent, drive and potential in this prospect when they chose him as the main event in Friday night’s sold-out show in Ontario. It was LaRon’s very first time headlining a card. And with this June 24 victory in the books, Mitchell remains undefeated with his perfect record strong.
His win streak intact, what’s next for the heavyweight?
While he took a quick honeymoon with his new bride Dachelle, he will get back in the gym, readying for the next match on the horizon. Continuing to gain experience in the squared circle, the rising star plans on keeping busy. LaRon told me he’s ready to go anytime and he and the “Fire in the Ring” crew are excited about the future. As the big guy remains unbeaten, his manager gives some well-earned praise to his hardworking puncher.
Manager Andy Nance is a California Boxing Hall of Famer and former California State boxing champ. He knows the sport very, very well. Having spent decades working in boxing, Nance isn’t the extremely bitter or jaded type…but he also isn’t the type to heap false compliments or toss hyperbole around like some managers are apt to do while hoping to get their young fighters noticed. He’s been around the block in boxing and has seen it all by now. So if Andy Nance gives some serious praise complimenting their protégé, you best believe it. And he and trainer Jimmy Ford have long sensed the potential in their heavyweight.
“I personally feel that this was LaRon’s best performance since he turned professional!” Nance relayed to me. “He was really using his head in the ring and not just going for the quick KO even though it did end quickly.”
Andy first began working with LaRon almost three years ago. In a prior interview, he told me, “LaRon is a solid, stand-up guy.” The “Fire in the Ring” team is a close-knit group with great chemistry. And the team hopes the LaRon Mitchell “knockout tour” continues. Fans will be able to see him fight again this summer.
“Our next fight is on August 26,” Nance mentions. This will be Thompson Boxing’s highly-anticipated outdoor show at the Omega Products Arena in Corona.
Be sure to keep a watch on LaRon Mitchell as he ignites with “Fire in the Ring”!
Photo by Michele Chong