07.02.05 – ORANGE, CA – Thompson Boxing Promotions is picking up where they left off in 2004 with a stellar five-bout card this Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. In the main event, world-ranked Miguel Angel Huerta will step in against Jesus Santiago in a 10 round Lightweight bout..
Huerta hopes to build upon the success he had in 2004. In his last bout, Huerta defeated Marco Angel Perez by fifth round knockout at Omega Products International in Corona. With the victory, Huerta won the WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title and a WBO ranking. Huerta is currently ranked number 10 by the WBO in the Lightweight division.
Huerta has won his last four bouts in a row against top competition. Before the Perez fight, Huerta won a split-decision over Super Lightweight contender Rolando Reyes. In April 2004, Huerta knocked out former world title challenger Allan Vester, winning the NBA Light Welterweight title. In 2003, he even had world champion Julio Diaz on the canvas before being stopped in the eighth round.
Huerta, (22-6-1, 15 KO’s) is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, but now resides in West Covina.
His opponent, Santiago, hopes to upset Huerta in this bout. The fighter from suburban Seattle, WA has lost his last three bouts in a row, but has faced some of the best young fighters in the Super Lightweight and Lightweight divisions. Santiago (9-9-1, 1KO) has been inside the ring against Emanuel Augustus, Paul Malignaggi, Al Gonzales, Alex Velardez, and Emmanuel Clottey. Santiago is a durable fighter who has gone the distance in his last seven defeats.
In the semi main event fight fans are encouraged not to blink in this eight round Junior Middleweight bout, as Ishwar Amador will face Ramon Espinoza.
Both fighters have fought before at the Doubletree Hotel. Amador is sure to have the crowd behind him in this fight as he resides in Riverside. Amador, (10-6, 6 KO’s) is originally from La Paz, Mexico, and hopes to turn around a stretch of having lost two out of his last three bouts.
On the other hand, Espinoza thrilled the Doubletree Hotel crowd in October with a six round split-decision victory over previously unbeaten Jailson Dos Santos. Espinoza, (6-2, 3 KO’s) from Pacoima, CA, has won his last two bouts.
Also fighting on the card is Jose Lopez, a young local fighter from Riverside, who has become one of the top Super Featherweight fighters in California.
In his last bout in October Lopez knocked out Ulises Peña in a battle of two of the top 130-pound fighters in Southern California. Lopez (11-1, 7 KO’s) has won his last nine bouts in a row and hopes to have a productive year as he had in 2004.
Lopez will face Gustavo Tapia, a veteran of 33 professional fights who will look to outbox and frustrate the young 20-year-old over six rounds of action.
Also on the card will be two undefeated fighters hoping to keep their unblemished records intact. Junior Bantamweight Jose Albuquerque, (4-0, 2 KO’s) from Porto Alegre, Brazil, will face Benjamin Garcia (7-4-3, 1 KO) in a six round rematch. In their first encounter both opponents battled to win “Best fight of the Night”(3/19/04). Also, Super Middleweight Danny Garcia, (2-0, 1 KO) from Pomona, CA, will face Cromwell Gordon (0-2), from Los Angeles, CA.
Tickets for the “Path to Glory” event are available for sale by calling 714.935.0900 at a price of $75, $45, and $30 or by visiting www.thompsonboxing.com. This exciting night of boxing will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, located on 222 N. Vineyard Ave., off the 10 freeway, exit Vineyard Ave. Doors of the Event Center will open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
A press conference will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at Misty’s Lounge, which is located inside the Doubletree Hotel.