Last Show of the Year is a KO Night!
As 2015 comes to a close, here’s a recap of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ (TBP) final event of the year.
“New Blood” was billed as the last fight of the 2015 season and featured six bouts of action at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. Through the years, Thompson Boxing has featured competitive matchups and a chance for local boxing fans to see young rising stars, contenders and champs fight in their own backyard. And November’s “New Blood” event gave the crowd plenty of fireworks in the ring.
The main event was a welterweight clash between Giovani Santillan (18-0, 10 KOs) and Rosbel Montoya (16-6-1, 13 KOs) that was scheduled for eight rounds. San Diego’s Santillan (nicknamed “Gallo de Oro”) needed just two rounds to claim a TKO victory over Reynosa’s Montoya. Santillan, 24, remains unbeaten with 18 W’s and looks forward to a KO new year. After his performance, Gio said he was very happy with the win. His promoter said Santillan is ready to take on the bigger names in the sport so keep an eye out for “El Gallo.”
Also on the card was a Tijuana duel between warriors Carlos “Memin” Carlson versus Jose Estrella. After eight frames, Carlson won a unanimous decision over his Mexican counterpart. Other action included super flyweights Ricardo Espinoza and Francisco Lapizco. The duo wowed the crowd with an all-action six rounder that ended in a majority decision win for Espinoza. In other matches, a unanimous decision came for Indio’s Manuel Mendez over Jose Luis Ramirez; Rudy Puga Jr. stayed undefeated claiming his sixth victory in his unanimous decision against Juan Carlos Rojas; and opening the night was amateur boxer Jhordy Ramirez, who entered the pro ranks with a successful KO victory in his pro debut over Mexico’s Joel Cano.
President/Founder Ken Thompson and General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo have been promoting live shows since 2000. During the last decade and a half, Team Thompson has held shows at various SoCal venues including the Doubletree Hotel, Omega Products Outdoor Arena in Corona, etc.
During the recent “New Blood” show, ring announcer Jake Gutierrez introduced the evening’s luminaries and VIP guests ringside including Danny Roman, Isaac Zarate, Miguel Trejo, Carlos Bojorquez, Sindy Amador, 2016 Olympic boxer Karlos Balderas, amateur star David Mijares, former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, and more. There was also a special announcement celebrating the November 20 birthday of Vera Thompson, wife of TBP President Ken Thompson.
There was one very emotional moment during the night as well when a “Ten Count” was held for California State Athletic Commission’s (CSAC) Rose Saavedra, who passed away last month. Her son-in-law Martin “Regalado” Sandoval (a pro fighter) was in attendance to witness this poignant tribute.
In between bouts I caught up with many of the local sluggers associated with Thompson. Danny Roman and Isaac Zarate were with manager/trainer Eddie Gonzalez, who hopes to have his two young protégés fight on the same card in the upcoming months. Also sitting near the apron was Carlos Bojorquez, who fought in the very first TBP show and now provides ringside commentary during the live action. And IFBA champ Sindy “La Alacrana” Amador was also watching the battles in the ring. The petite puncher is always a big hit with the fans and says she loves attending the monthly Thompson fights.
While Thompson Boxing is taking a short hiatus from hosting their own live fights, look for their stable of fighters to be back at the first show in 2016 (slated for a February date)!
Photos by Michele Chong
