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Thompson Boxing Promotions Brings a Night of Action to Fight Fans in Ontario

PicsArt_05-21-04.49.17By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña (At Ringside)
Photos by Cynthia “Cindy Lou” Saldaña (At Ringside)

Friday night inside of the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, California Thompson Boxing celebrated it’s 16 year anniversary entitled “New Blood” headlined by a match-up between Danny Roman, 17-2-1, 6 KO’s of Los Angeles, California and Christian Esquivel, 28-9, 21 KO’s in a 10-round NABA Super Bantamweight title fight. In addition to defending his 122-pound title, Roman was looking to extend his win streak to 11 while also holding onto, or improving upon, the number fourteen ranking by the WBA. The Southern California native Roman looked very impressive to start the fight as Danny was the faster fighter. Roman used his speed and technical boxing skills to outbox the veteran Mexican fighter through the first 3 rounds. Although the veteran Esquivel pushed forward he was caught on several occasions with big counter shots by Roman. In the 5th after a barrage of punches by Esquivel, Roman seemed to find another gear landing several power shots on the head of his opponent. Referee Raul Caiz, JR. stepped in at the 1:52 mark of round 5 to end the bout and give Roman his 11th straight victory. Roman improves to 18-2-1, 8 KO’s.

In the co-feature, former Olympian Taras Shelestyuk, 13-0, 8 KO’s of the Ukraine took on challenger Erick Martinez, 11-4-1, 5 KO’s of Mexico. The 10-round fight had championship implications, as Shelestyuk and Martinez fought for the WBA International Welterweight Title. In round 1 it was clear the former Olympian Shelestyuk would be in control of the fight as he came out with all pistons firing. Taras landed big combinations and his world class talent completely dominated his opponent. The next two round saw the same from Shelestyuk as after the third the ringside doctor called a halt to the bout as Martinez was unable to continue. Shelestyuk moves to 14-0, 9 KO’s

Also on the card making his United States debut was undefeated Thompson/Gary Shaw fighter and WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Champion Roberto “Dinamita” Arriaza, 11-0, 10 KO’s as he battled Cameron “Kid” Kreal, 8-9-2, 1 KO, from Las Vegas Nevada. From the start Arriaza came out firing heavy shots to the head of his opponent hurt the young Filipino Kreal early. Round 2 brought much of the same as Arriaza controlled the pace with precise body shots and big combinations as Kreal seemed to fight much of the round in a defensive mode. In round 3 Cameron seemed to close the distance on the taller Arriaza and began to find the target as 3rd round seen lots of back and forth action by both fighters.

The middle rounds were much of the same as both fighters landed big shots with Kreal landing the best shots of the fight in the 5th. Going into the 8th and final round Arriaza seemed to be slightly ahead in what turned out to be a very tough exciting fight. Kreal came out ready for was war landing big combinations backing up Arriaza as Roberto never found his comfort zone in the last round. After 8 the judges had it 77-75 x2 and 78-74 for the winner and still undefeated Roberto “El Dinmita” Arriaza. After the fight Arriaza stated “I was a bit nervous as this was my first fight in the United States. He was a tough opponent and it was a good learning experience for me and my team.”

In other bouts:

Rudy Garcia (Debut) vs. Joel Cano Castro, 0-2 (Bantamweights)

Result: Garcia 2nd round TKO

Chris Bautista, 3-0 vs. Brandon Broussard, 3-1, 1 KO (Jr. Welterweight)

Result: Bautista Unanimous Decision

Scott Alexander 11-1-1, 6 KO’s vs. Tracey Johnson, 3-2-3 (Heavyweight)

Results: Majority Draw

Ricardo Espinoza, 6-0, 5 KO’s vs. Sam Rodriguez, 3-1, 3 KO’s (Jr. Bantamweight)

Result: Sam Rodriguez by Unanimous Decision

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