Chris Martin signs with Thompson Boxing Promotions
On September 20, 2012, Thompson Boxing Promotions signed two of their four new boxers to a promotional contract. (L to R) Christopher Martin’s advisor Lou Messina, Thompson Boxing Promotions’ CEO, Ken Thompson, newly signed boxers Chris Martin and Derrick Murray, TBP General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo, Murray’s co-managers Jason Schlessinger and Repo Rick. Photo: Jim Wyatt
From Orange, California came the headline, “The infallible four!!!! Thompson Boxing Promotions inks Christopher Martin, Juan Reyes, Javier Torres and Derrick Murray
The use of the word “Infallible!” is certainly over the top, a headline grabber to get you excited when in reality it’s just another workaday occurrence. On Friday, September 28, 2012, Thompson Boxing Promotions officially announced they had inked and committed themselves to pave the “Path to Glory” for their newly signed prospects super bantamweights Christopher Martin and Juan Reyes, heavyweight Javier Torres and super featherweight Derrick Murray.
The props from their PR staff continue: “Seasoned super bantamweight and San Diego, CA native, Christopher Martin has a history of taking fights to the final bell and walking away with the hard fought victory.
“As a long time business owner there is always a concern to give the customers the latest and greatest merchandise,” said Ken Thompson, founder and president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “It’s important to follow this same business model in the sport of boxing. Fight fans deserve the best new talent and that’s exactly what we have done by signing Chris Martin (24-2-3, 7 KOs). He will be an integral part of our company and the future of the sport of boxing. It thrills us to grow his career.
When my general manager and matchmaker, Alex Camponovo, suggested that I sign Martin, I agreed without hesitation. He is a relentless and rugged fighter who doesn’t run.”
The comments attributed to Martin, the former WBO-NABO super bantamweight titleholder regarding his new signing: “The opportunity to sign with a great promoter presented itself after my last performance against Roberto Castañeda at their June outdoor show in Corona, CA (an Omega Products International Show). They liked what they saw that night and my record shows what I can do in the ring. They know my boxing style and what I am capable of. It feels good to know they believe in me. I will work hard to pave the way to a championship.”
The Martin vs. Castaneda fight was indeed trial under fire. The Thompson people were trying out the merchandise before purchase. The tough 21 year-old (Castaneda) from Mexicali, Mexico, (20-1-1 with 15 KOs), did indeed have the right stuff but Martin dismantled him with body shots to the liver to not only get the win but another knockout.
As far as an early highlight reel, we have Christopher Martin (top left) landing a big overhand right to the chin of Chris Avalos while the two battled it out on Showtime’s Championship Boxing back on August 6, 2010. (bottom left) On May 20, 2011, we have Martin delivering a left uppercut to the chin of Charles Huerta. In the third photo (right side) we see Martin posing for a photo with his friend Emmanuel Robles after Robles won his pro-debut at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, September 10, 2010. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Top: Can you name the boxers with Martin? (L to R) Antonio DeMarco, Emilio Bojorquez, James Parison, Christian Bojorquez, Jorge Marron Jr., Alan Sanchez and then Martin. They say, “People judge you, by the company you keep.” Bottom right: shows Martin on the attack against Jose Luis Araiza, September 10, 2010. Bottom left: Martin lands a straight left to the chin of Roberto Castaneda, June 29, 2010.
The bouts Chris Martin would rather forget? His April 27, 2012 meeting with Luis Orlando Del Valle (top) and his October 1, 2011 meeting with Jose Angel Beranza – both losses.
Talk is they’re planning to have Martin headline a late October, early November show. Over the last two years, Martin is 3-2-1, with that win over Castaneda and wins over Charles Huerta and Jose Silveira. Then there were those almost inexplicable losses to Luis Del Valle and Jose Angel Beranza and the draw with Teon Kennedy.
Super Bantamweight Juan Reyes (R) signs on the dotted line with Thompson Boxing Promotions of Orange, CA.
We mustn’t skim over the rest of the signings as if they were just window dressing. Juan Reyes (7-1-1, 1 KO) also signed a promotional contract. His comments: “I am happy to be promoted by Thompson Boxing. I am proud that they sought me out and saw the talent in me. There are a lot of tough prospects in Riverside but the fact they chose to sign me indicates they believe I have what it takes to be a super bantamweight contender.”
In his debut, Reyes fought a draw with David Morales. On January 28, 2011, Morales lost to Emmanuel Robles of Old School Boxing in San Diego.
Javier Torres (3-0, 2 KOs), who recently made his Thompson Boxing Promotions debut on September 21 against Avery Gibson (a narrow split decision victory), is an all-action heavyweight from Long Beach, CA.
At the weigh-in for his bout on September 21, 2012, the 6’3″ heavyweight, Javier Torres, held his arms in this unusual, yoga like posture. Despite the stance, he still weighed in at 216½ lbs. Photo: J. Wyatt
Torres had this to say, “I’m excited to be a part of Thompson Boxing. I have a strong work ethic and know we can do a lot for each other. They can offer me great opportunities as long as I am putting in the hard work and showing my dedication to the sport. We’re going to do great together!”
Thompson Boxing Promotions’ new signee, Derrick Murray, poses for photos at his weigh-in on September 20, 2012 for his bout with Pedro Toledo who came all the way from Ecuador. Photo: Jim Wyatt
With zero losses on his young super featherweight career, Derrick “Whoop Dat Ass” Murray (4-0-1, 3 KOs) said: “I’m thankful for an opportunity to work with Thompson Boxing. I had an exciting fight last week that ended in a draw. Thompson Boxing saw that I have heart and just how much I want to be a champion. They understand me and are going to help me reach my goal.”
In that fight, Murray took on Pedro Toledo, an Ecuadorian with a ton of Amateur bouts but only one Pro fight. With Repo “the top gun of hype” Rick in his corner and acting as his co-manager, I’m amazed that with Rick’s browbeating he wasn’t able to put a better spin on things. That fight on September 21 must have been tough. All three judges had the same scores of 37-37. After Toledo went down in Round one, Murray went down in Round four.
Said Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing Promotions, “We’ve had a lot of success building champions from the ground up and when I see these four kids, I know they have what it takes to get there. On October 19, I will showcase Javier Torres and Juan Reyes as my latest additions to Team Thompson and they are going to do make Inland Empire proud!”
Regarding Martin, Thompson went on to say, “There is something about bringing an accomplished sportsman like Christopher Martin to fight under the Thompson regime. We’re all hard workers and as history repeats itself, I am sure his track record will bring fight fans to their feet!”
It certainly would be a feather in his cap if Martin were to become a huge success after he was let go by Top Rank. Top Rank has 48 boxers under contract, double the number of Thompson and their fighters come from all over … the Philippines, Australia, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Mexico, both the East and West Coast of the United States plus Canada. Of course they’ve been at it for a much longer period, forty some years.
About Thompson Boxing Promotions
Launched in May of 2000 by Ken Thompson, the former President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Thompson Boxing Promotions has risen from not only being one of the top promotional firms on the West Coast and consistently providing shows that live up to the adage ‘never a dull moment’, its now become a nationwide powerhouse and made household names out of the following gents: Timothy Bradley (29-0-0, 12 KOs), Yonnhy Perez (20-2-1, 14 KOs), Josesito Lopez (30-5-0, 18 KOs), Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-0, 20 KOs), Artemio Reyes (17-2-0, 13 KOs), Mauricio Herrera (18-2-0, 7 KOs), Efrain Esquivias (16-2-0, 9 KOs), Abraham Lopez (17-0-0, 12 KOs), Aron Martinez (18-2-1, 4 KOs), Richard Contreras (9-0-1, 8 KOs), Danny Hernandez (11-0-0, 6 KOs), Alex Theran (9-0-0- 6 KOs), Carlos Padilla (11-0-0, 5 KOs), Darley Perez (26-0-0, 19 KOs), Daulis Prescott (26-1-0, 19 KOs), Janer Gonzalez (11-0-0, 10 KOs) and Jhonatan Romero (22-0-0, 12 KOs).
Of the 25 boxers now under contract, their current weight has 90% of them fighting between bantamweight and welterweight. This situation must make it easy for Thompson Boxing Promotions to keep everyone busy and everyone happy. The Chris Martin saga will be continued.
