Eddie Cahill at Thompson Boxing Show
It’s no secret Tinseltown loves boxing with many films and TV shows paying homage to the sweet science. Many famous faces from Hollywood are often seen going to the big fights in Vegas and there has always been a link between boxing and movie stars.
At last Friday night’s “New Blood” live boxing show presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions, there was a popular TV star catching all the action ringside. “CSI: NY” star Eddie Cahill was at the six-bout card taking place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. The tall lanky actor told me he loves the sport. And as several people greeted him, it quickly became apparent that he has been a boxing aficionado for a some time now.
During breaks between the bouts, I had a couple of minutes to chat with the New York thespian who is also known for his stint on “Friends” as the assistant of Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). You may also recognize him from his performance as Olympic hockey star Jim Craig (“Miracle on Ice”) in the hit “Miracle” film.
Eddie knew some of the officials at the fights including fellow New Yorker Jack Reiss. He also is friends with many boxers including Scottish southpaw Craig McEwan, who just fought Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin in Cancun over the weekend. A fan of our favorite bloodsport, we talked about McEwan’s tough loss to Andy Lee and all the heart that fighters have.
Sitting ringside, Cahill, sporting a newsboy cap, and “CSI” editor John Keris caught a great night of boxing with a torrid main event between Efrain Esquivias vs. Fernando Beltran Jr. for an NABF championship.
Promoter Ken Thompson and General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo also invited the actor up into the ring as emcee Sonny Franco announced Cahill to the sold-out crowd. Inside the ropes, Eddie joined several of the other VIP guests including boxers Daniel Ponce De Leon, Artemio Reyes Jr., Aaron Garcia, Jose Reynoso, Jonathan Arellano, Bobby Chacon, Armando Muniz, female fighter Wendy Rodriguez, All-American Heavyweight star George Faavae, and trainer Bennie Georgino among others.
The actor from the popular crime show also “bonded” with two-time former world champ Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon, who asked for a “knuckle sandwich” from the TV star, who jokingly obliged. Meeting the actor was a highlight for many of the fans’ (mostly female) as he posed for photos with them too.
This “New Blood” show was the very last of 2011 for Thompson Boxing. But fans can get ready for a big 2012 as the New Year will explode with at least nine live boxing shows offered by Thompson Boxing Promotions. The TBP team will be back February 24 in Ontario with their full stable of over 20 talented fighters.
At Friday’s show, the night ended with a bang as Efrain Esquivias got a hard-fought victory over the tough Fernando Beltran Jr. It was a bloody, sizzling war that had the spectators cheering loudly in appreciation of these two warriors.
And for the “CSI: NY’s” Eddie Cahill, there was no “mystery” was he loves boxing. The evidence was all there in six rousing fights.
Check out these exclusive pics of the actor at the Ontario fights!
Photos by Michele Chong