It was the identical, however by no means the identical.
The March 10 Thompson Boxing card on the Doubletree Resort in Ontario, California had the same old lineup of aggressive fights and knockouts that featured prospects and unbeaten fighters.
One particular person noticeably absent from his ringside seat was promoter Ken Thompson, who handed away on February 10. Mockingly, February 10 was the date Thompson Boxing promoted the primary present of its 2023 season.
Previous to the beginning of the March 10 card, which featured Angel Beltran defeating Louie Lopez by unanimous resolution, a ceremony that doubled as a celebration of life happened, honoring the lifetime of the 85-year-old Thompson. Readings from the New Testomony, acknowledgements of his life and a choir that sang songs highlighted the occasion.
Thompson’s life will proceed to be celebrated and acknowledged tomorrow (Saturday) at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. The occasion will happen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service and reception will each happen on the venue, which is situated at 6115 Arlington Avenue in Riverside.
Ken Thompson started his profitable promotional firm in 2000, selling struggle playing cards in Ontario and in close by Corona. He would promote playing cards that will function Timothy Bradley, Jr., Josesito Lopez, Mauricio Herrera, Yonnhy Perez, Chris Arreola, and Danny Roman, simply to call a couple of.
“Truthfully, I don’t suppose we had that sort of expectations (for the way large promotional firm grew to become),” Alex Camponovo, Basic Supervisor and Matchmaker of Thompson Boxing informed BoxingScene in a current interview. “Ken needed to be surrounded by good, hard-working individuals. Alongside the way in which, we began growing these completely different packages.
“Even after passing away, Kenny would have needed the corporate to proceed. He was all the time pondering forward and occupied with what was subsequent for the corporate and the exhibits we had been selling.”
Previous to his foray in boxing, Thompson was a profitable businessman, proudly owning a number of Thompson Constructing Supplies shops all through California. Thompson was identified for his private interactions with anybody who he encountered, whether or not it was with a colleague in his firm or somebody by way of boxing.
Camponovo was grateful for the instances they each shared, out and in of boxing.
“The best way he was so optimistic, he was such a driving power,” recalled Camponovo. “We shared the identical workplace. The identical constructing in these 23 years. His workplace was straight throughout from mine. Whether or not it was with Josesito Lopez or Danny Roman, he had that ‘Take no prisoners’ method.
We obtained very lucky. I obtained very lucky. He was my boss. He was all the time there.
“Kenny had an amazing character. He had an enormous firm with 800 workers. He spoke the identical approach to vital purchasers or somebody who would sweep the ground. He was very nice. He tried to make somebody’s day higher. His work ethic and acumen was sturdy. He went to the shops. Employees and clients, he made them really feel welcome.”
Thompson Boxing has carved out a distinct segment of manufacturing high quality struggle playing cards, all of the whereas transferring the fighters they promote ahead. Based mostly in close by Orange, Ken Thompson was all the time concerned with the corporate enterprise, sitting in on conferences with fighters or collaborating with different promoters.
Camponovo was amazed by the very fact Thompson entrusted him to handle the operations of the corporate. He was additionally humbled by Thompson’s reward of fighters succeeding within the ring.
“He informed me, ‘Listed here are the keys, drive the automobile,’” stated Camponovo. “As time progressed, our fighters succeeded and received. After an amazing win in Japan or England, we’d congratulate Ken. He would all the time reply, ‘No, No, you made it work. He cherished the popularity, however he was not a man with an enormous ego. He was thrilled with what we did.
“It wasn’t simple at first in 2000. We needed to be taught from scratch. We’ve achieved actually nice issues. At no time was he indecisive. He simply needed to push ahead. He was not solely a boss, however he was a mentor. We need to transfer ahead together with his legacy. He relied on good individuals. Now we have heavy hearts, however we’re transferring ahead. ‘Full tilt,’ as he would say.
Camponovo was adamant in regards to the legacy Thompson left in life, out and in of the ring.
“There’ll by no means be one other Ken Thompson, in particular person or in boxing.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached by electronic mail at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
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