It was the same, but never the same.
The March 10 Thompson Boxing card at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California had the usual lineup of competitive fights and knockouts that featured prospects and unbeaten fighters.
One person noticeably absent from his ringside seat was promoter Ken Thompson, who passed away on February 10. Ironically, February 10 was the date Thompson Boxing promoted the first show of its 2023 season.
Prior to the start of the March 10 card, which featured Angel Beltran defeating Louie Lopez by unanimous decision, a ceremony that doubled as a celebration of life took place, honoring the life of the 85-year-old Thompson. Readings from the New Testament, acknowledgements of his life and a choir that sang songs highlighted the event.
Thompson’s life will continue to be celebrated and acknowledged tomorrow (Saturday) at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service and reception will both take place at the venue, which is located at 6115 Arlington Avenue in Riverside.
Ken Thompson began his successful promotional company in 2000, promoting fight cards in Ontario and in nearby Corona. He would promote cards that would feature Timothy Bradley, Jr., Josesito Lopez, Mauricio Herrera, Yonnhy Perez, Chris Arreola, and Danny Roman, just to name a few.
“Honestly, I don’t think we had that type of expectations (for how big promotional company became),” Alex Camponovo, General Manager and Matchmaker of Thompson Boxing told BoxingScene in a recent interview. “Ken wanted to be surrounded by good, hard-working people. Along the way, we started developing these different programs.
“Even after passing away, Kenny would have wanted the company to continue. He was always thinking ahead and thinking about what was next for the company and the shows we were promoting.”
Prior to his foray in boxing, Thompson was a successful businessman, owning several Thompson Building Materials stores throughout California. Thompson was known for his personal interactions with anyone who he encountered, whether it was with a colleague in his company or someone through boxing.
Camponovo was grateful for the times they both shared, in and out of boxing.
“The way he was so positive, he was such a driving force,” recalled Camponovo. “We shared the same office. The same building in those 23 years. His office was straight across from mine. Whether it was with Josesito Lopez or Danny Roman, he had that ‘Take no prisoners’ approach.
We got very fortunate. I got very fortunate. He was my boss. He was always there.
“Kenny had a great personality. He had a huge company with 800 employees. He spoke the same way to important clients or someone who would sweep the floor. He was very pleasant. He tried to make someone’s day better. His work ethic and acumen was strong. He went to the stores. Workers and customers, he made them feel welcome.”
Thompson Boxing has carved out a niche of producing quality fight cards, all the while moving the fighters they promote forward. Based in nearby Orange, Ken Thompson was always involved with the company business, sitting in on meetings with fighters or collaborating with other promoters.
Camponovo was amazed by the fact Thompson entrusted him to manage the operations of the company. He was also humbled by Thompson’s praise of fighters succeeding in the ring.
“He told me, ‘Here are the keys, drive the car,’” said Camponovo. “As time progressed, our fighters succeeded and won. After a great win in Japan or England, we would congratulate Ken. He would always reply, ‘No, No, you made it work. He loved the recognition, but he was not a guy with a big ego. He was thrilled with what we did.
“It wasn’t easy in the beginning in 2000. We had to learn from scratch. We’ve achieved really great things. At no time was he indecisive. He just wanted to push forward. He was not only a boss, but he was a mentor. We want to move forward with his legacy. He relied on good people. We have heavy hearts, but we’re moving forward. ‘Full tilt,’ as he would say.
Camponovo was adamant about the legacy Thompson left in life, in and out of the ring.
“There will never be another Ken Thompson, in person or in boxing.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
