Promoter Ken Thompson and his “New Blood” fight card
On a scorching hot July night, “New Blood V” featured 12 super hot prospects all squaring off under the stars at Omega Products International in Corona, California. Presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions, the crowd was treated to six fights of blistering action at the outdoor venue from the opening bell to the final bell.
Promoter Ken Thompson offered the first of his summer fight series at this SoCal site with Daniel “El 
Travieso” Hernandez vs. Jovann Jones in the main event. An amateur standout, the 19-year-old Hernandez joined Thompson’s talented stable of fighters just last month. After six rounds of trading punches with Jovann Jones, the unbeaten lightweight added one more victory to his still-perfect record of now 7-0.
Arriving at the event last Friday, I had a chance to catch up with Thompson before the fights began. The L.A.-based entrepreneur, founder and owner of Thompson Building Materials, has been promoting his “Path to Glory” and “New Blood” boxing shows for over a decade. The enthusiastic promoter always draws a sell-out audience and this fight night was no different. “We do have another full crowd tonight–to the ‘Nth’ degree!” he confirms with a thumbs up.
Thompson, who was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame, has a knack for spotting future champs. He is the co-promoter of WBO champion Timothy Bradley, who will be taking on Nate Campbell on August 1 at Agua Caliente, and also co-promoter of top IBF bantamweight contender Yonnhy Perez, who looks forward to facing Joseph Agbeko soon. Thompson addresses both of his fighters’ recent successes, “In 2001, Tim Bradley made his pro debut here at this very same venue–now he’s our very own homegrown champ!”
Regarding Colombian boxer Perez going toe-to-toe against “King Kong” Agbeko (who beat Vic Darchinyan on July 11) for a title shot, promoter Thompson tells me, “Yonnhy’s fight could be in October or November. He (Agbeko) has never seen anyone who can hit this hard. Yonnhy’s ready for him!”
During our conversation, boxer Alejandro Perez stops by to say hello to Thompson. I ask the pugilist, a WBC USNBC Super Bantamweight Champion, about his next battle in the ring. “I’m hoping to fight in August, maybe here at Omega,” he says with a smile.
Young Ruben Gutierrez, whose father is a Thompson team member, also comes by to say hi to the 
promoter. Gutierrez, out of the Fontana Boxing Club, is an aspiring future champ and tells us about his recent trip to Mississippi where he won his division in the Title Boxing National Championships. The humble boxer smiles as he shows us his new belt he brought home from the amateur tournament and says he hopes to someday be on a Thompson pro card.
Thompson Boxing’s outdoor shows always feature great live boxing, music, food and entertainment. “We’ve got some real slick guys on the card tonight,” says the boxing promoter in regards to Thompson matchmaker Alex Camponovo’s lineup. “We have Jonathan Arellano who is making his debut; I’m looking forward to seeing him fight. And it’s also his 22nd birthday today!” Arrellano, trained by Henry Ramirez, would later come out to impress the fans on his way to earning his first victory against the tough Rufino Serrano. With his pro debut a smash hit, keep an eye on this exciting super bantamweight.
During the event, former boxing radio host and Main Street Gym’s Johnny Ortiz came by with a friendly greeting to tell me all about his new book coming out soon, a biography chronicling his many decades in the business. Ortiz has known Thompson for years and says he always enjoys coming out to the 
fights, adding that these outdoor bouts are especially nice. The veteran boxing aficionado is right. We have a major heat wave going on in L.A. right now, and the breezy outdoor venue is the perfect way to catch the action.
Back up in the ring, the night’s emcee, Sonny Franco, held a special Ten Count tribute for two fallen warriors, Alexis Arguello and Arturo Gatti. The dapper Franco also introduced the fighters and special guests in attendance including popular heavyweight Chris Arreola, Jose Lopez, Mauricio Herrera, Alejandro Perez, former fighters Mando Muñiz, Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, trainers Jack Mosley and Bennie Georgino, and WBC’s Dr. Joe Noriega.
If you’re a true boxing fan, the “New Blood V” show is a perfect way to start the weekend, and an escape from the sweltering summer heat!
You’ll have another chance to join the fun if you missed out on Friday’s live boxing; Thompson Boxing Promotions’ next show will take place on August 14 at their Omega location.
And for full fight results by MyBoxingFans Founder & Publisher Edgar Gonzalez, clikc Here.
Photos by Michele Chong: Ken Thompson, Alejandro Perez, Ruben Gutierrez, early arrivals Bennie Georgino and Rodolfo Gonzalez, Emcee Sonny Franco, Ring Girls, El Travieso’s corner, and MyBoxingFans Edgar Gonzalez with a group of loyal boxing fans!
