Last Path To Glory Boxing Show Of 2006

On Monday, November 20, Thompson Boxing Promotions will stage the final 2006 show of its popular “Path to Glory” series, in what is predicted to be yet another sold-out event. Lightweight contender Josesito Lopez will step inside the ring with hard-hitting Adrian Navarrete of Durango, Mexico, in a 10-round main attraction for Lopez’s WBC Continental Americas championship.

“I want to end the year with a bang,” proclaimed Lopez about his upcoming bout, which will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA.

Lopez (17-2, 10 KO’s) has been itching to fight since his seventh round stoppage over veteran Anthony Martinez at Omega Products International in August. Last July, Lopez defended his WBC title against Sammy Ventura. The unfortunate bout lasted only 21 seconds after both fighters clashed heads. Ventura was knocked unconscious prompting the stoppage of the fight.

Despite it all, Lopez has high aspirations for this fight and for next year. “I have big plans for 2007,” said Lopez, the 22-year-old star from Riverside, CA. “I’ve been in the gym working on my defense against brawlers because we feel that is what Navarrete might do.”

Lopez will have his hands full. Adrian Navarrete (14-2-1, 12 KO’s) is a heavy-handed challenger. In his last fight, he knocked out Antonio Rosales in the third round of their scheduled ten. Navarrete began his professional career by knocking out his first eight opponents. He was undefeated in 11 bouts before finally losing to Reyes Sanchez in February 2005. His most significant fight was a six round unanimous decision loss to Benoit Gaudet in Canada, last March.

Also on the card, Michael Walsh (16-4-3, 13 KOs), from Los Angeles, against rough Juan Pablo Montes de Oca (8-10-2, 5 KOS), from Las Vegas, in a six-round welterweight battle; additionally, Yonnhy Perez (7-0, 5 KOs) from Cartagena, Colombia, will battle Arturo Bracamontes (8-10-2, 5 KOs), from Los Angeles, in a six round bantamweight rematch. Perez is the newest Thompson Boxing Promotions signing.

Also on the card will be Joel Mills (0-1), from Alberta, Canada, against Loren Myers (2-2, 1 KO), from Fresno, CA, in a four round jr. middleweight bout, plus featherweights Andrew Cancio (3-0-1, 3 KOs), from Blythe, CA, against Freudis Rojas (1-2, 1 KO), from Guantanamo, Cuba, in a four round scrap.

As part of the festivities, undefeated Palm Springs prospect Timothy Ray Bradley Jr. will be in attendance to sign autographs. Bradley (16-0, 10 KOs) inked a co-promotional contract with Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productionsand and will fight on Friday, December 1, in Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, against rugged Jaime “El Martillo” Rangel (30-9-1, 26 KOs) in an eight round special attraction. Bradley is ranked #11 by the WBC in the jr. welterweight division.

In addition, Thompson Boxing Promotions will proudly present a championship belt to former lightweight champion Chango Carmona twenty-four years after he won the title. On September 15, 1972, at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Carmona defeated Mando Ramos by way of technical knockout on the eighth round of their fight.

On November 11, 1972, Carmona lost his WBC title by TKO on the 13th round of his fight against Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles. After the fight he never recovered his belt. It is customary that a losing champion keeps his belt, but Carmona did not. The three former champs, Carmona, Ramos and Gonzalez, will be a part of “Path to Glory.”

Few tickets remain available for purchase at a price of $75, $45 and $30 by calling 714-935-0900 or through www.thompsonboxing.com The event will take place at the Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, located on 222 North Vineyard Ave. Doors will open at 6:30PM, with first bell scheduled for 7:45PM.