Thompson Boxing Promotions continues to add to its roster by signing two undefeated prospects to exclusive promotional contracts, the Southern California-based promotional company announced today. Super bantamweight prospect Heriberto “Tremendo” Delgado (9-0, 5 KOs) of Tijuana, Mex. and featherweight prospect Erick Ituarte (6-0-1, 1 KO) of Santa Ana, Calif. by way of Mexico are the latest editions to the company.
“We’re extremely excited about having Heriberto Delgado and Erick Ituarte join our team,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “Delgado comes from a strong amateur background, has an inside and outside game and has numerous knockout punches. He has a style that resonates with boxing fans.”
“Iturate, like Delgado, had a solid amateur career, and since turning professional in 2011, has continued to improve and develop into a quality prospect in the featherweight division. We look forward to featuring both young prospects on one of our upcoming Thompson Boxing events.”
The 19-year-old Delgado turned professional last year after going 47-3 in the amateurs and winning Mexico’s version of the Golden Gloves in April 2012. As a professional, he strung together four straight knockouts before winning his last fight against Carlos Casillas by unanimous decision in September.
“Words can’t express how happy I am to sign this agreement with Thompson Boxing,” Delgado said. “They have a track record for developing young talent and I hope I continue to improve under their guidance. I’ve been boxing since I was 10-years-old and since that time, I’ve spent most of my life inside a boxing gym. Boxing is what I love to do.”
“Heriberto is a technical fighter that is always moving forward,” said Roberto Sandoval, Delgado’s manager. “He processes information very quickly, strikes fast and has a great feel for the sport. He takes well to coaching and is fearless in the ring.”
Delgado trains out of the Capy Boxing Gym in Tijuana and is trained by Gabriel Vega.
Delgado and Alex Camponovo of Thompson Boxing sign the agreement
L to R: Trainer Gabriel Vega, Heriberto Delgado, Alex Camponovo, Manager Roberto Sandoval
Delgado and Camponovo at the Capy Boxing Gym in Tijuana, Mex.
Ituarte, who fought his first three professional fights in Mexico, has since relocated to Los Angeles with the hopes of making a name for himself in the more lucrative American market.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said the 18-year-old Ituarte. “I’m very thankful to everyone at Thompson Boxing for giving me this chance. I’m a young boxer that has high aspirations and I’m going to train hard to accomplish my goals.”
“We like what Erick brings to the table and are excited to see him compete and grow as a featherweight,” said Alex Camponovo, general manager and matchmaker for Thompson Boxing Promotions.
Ituarte first laced up the gloves in his native Mexico when he was thirteen-years-old. A year later he started his amateur career fighting between the super bantamweight and featherweight divisions. After two years amassing a 43-7 record in the Mexican amateurs, Iturate turned professional at sixteen years of age. Now eighteen with seven professional fights under his belt, Ituarte looks for continued improvement and maturation, and with it, the hopes of one day challenging for a world title.
“I know it takes a great deal of work to become a world champion,” Ituarte said. “I feel most at ease when I’m inside a boxing gym working the speed bag, sparring, hitting the mitts or jumping rope. There isn’t any element of the sport that I dislike. I have the talent, determination and opportunity to reach the top.”
Ituarte looked the part of promising featherweight prospect during his last fight on the undercard of Thompson Boxing Promotion’s monthly event at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. Ituarte cruised to a unanimous decision win over Roberto Ventura (3-5, 1 KO) sweeping it 40-36 on all three scorecards (Friday, Oct. 18).
“I used the first round to get comfortable and get a feel for what Ventura planned to do,” Ituarte said. “After that, I opened up on him and started scoring clean hits.”
From the second round forward, Ituarte slammed home left hooks to the head and body. On more than a few occasions, Ituarte rattled Ventura with timely combinations and showcased excellent footwork throughout the four-round fight.
Ituarte is co-managed by Hector Lopez and Brad Barnette and trains out of the TKO Boxing Gym in Santa Ana.
