Rising junior welterweight prospect Giovani Santillan (16-0, 9 KOs) suffered an injury during training camp, and consequently will not be featured in Thompson Boxing Promotions main event, next Friday, May 29. Santillan was scheduled to face the talented Kendal Mena (20-1, 11 KOs).
Thompson Boxing’s 15th Year Anniversary show, titled “Path to Glory,” will continue with a triple-header featuring the free-swinging super bantamweight Danny Roman (14-2-1, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles facing Chris Martin (28-5-3, 9 KOs), a savvy boxer-puncher from San Diego (8-rounds).
Also on the card, featherweights Efrain Esquivias (17-3-1, 10 KOs) of Carson, Calif. and Jose Haro (8-1-1, 6 KOs) of Salt Lake City (8-rounds). Esquivias, who not long ago was in an IBF title eliminator with future world champion Jhonatan Romero, is trying to climb back to elite level status.
In the other marquee match up, super bantamweight Juan Reyes (12-1-3, 2 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. brings his exciting brand of boxing to the more experienced Robert Castaneda (21-9-1, 15 KOs) of Mexico in an 8-round scrap.
“Since all three fights are worthy of main event status, we will be doing something a little different in determining the show order,” said Alex Camponovo, matchmaker and general manager at Thompson Boxing. “Next Thursday, during the weigh in, we will draw numbers as to which one of these fights are the main event, co-feature, and special attraction.”
“Determining the order of fights through a chance system speaks to the strength of the card,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “It is a fantastic way for us to celebrate fifteen years in the boxing business.”
There is intrigue and drama for each of the fights featured in the triple-header. Roman is riding a six fight winning streak, while the veteran Martin is trying to get his career back on track after dropping two straight.
“Roman is a classic, in your face type of fighter that pressures you relentlessly,” Thompson said. “Martin likes to counter-punch, so this fight will have plenty of fireworks.”
Esquivias, who was a top contender at 122 pounds, has moved up to featherweight in hopes of shaking up that division. He faces a young charge in Haro that packs power and is searching for a signature win.
Reyes, who is never in a dull fight, will have his hands full with the experienced and heavy handed Castaneda.
In other action, undefeated lightweight prospect Cesar Villarraga (6-0, 4 KOs), a former Colombian Olympian, meets an opponent to be named later (6-rounds).
Opening the “Path to Glory” event is junior welterweight Rigoberto Flores (6-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles. An opponent will be announced at a later date (4-rounds).
Ken Thompson launched Thompson Boxing Promotions in May 2000, and since then, the company has enjoyed tremendous success. The fifteen-year-old promotional company boasts a diverse list of former and current world champions that are currently, or at one point, promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. The list includes: Yohnny Perez, Timothy Bradley, Jhonatan Romero, and Darleys Perez (interim).
The company continues to grow and nurture the future stars of the sport by carefully mapping the careers of young and talented prospects, such as: Josesito Lopez, Juan Carlos Burgos, Artemio Reyes, Efrain Esquivias, Giovani Santillan, Jose Roman, Cesar Villarraga, Carlos Carlson, LaRon Mitchell, among others.
