Avila Perspective, Chap. 224: Thompson Boxing Promotions, Texas Shootout and More

Two decades in the fight game, Thompson Boxing Promotions starts its 22^nd year promoting boxing cards in Ontario, California and other spots in Southern California.

It was Carlos “El Elegante” Bojorquez who headlined the first show I remember at the Doubletree Hotel. In March 2001, he fought to a technical decision draw stopped because of cuts.

Since that first show 22 years ago, Thompson Boxing has discovered and groomed numerous champions and contenders like Bojorquez. One interesting side note: two months later in Bojorquez’s very next fight, he defeated the great Pernell “Sweetpea” Whitaker.

Whitaker would never fight again.

This Friday, Feb. 10, George “Yuyu” Acosta (13-1, 1 KO) headlines against Marlin Sims (8-1, 4 KOs) in a super featherweight contest at the Doubletree in Ontario. This fight was originally set to occur a year ago. Circumstances did not allow it.

“I’ve had a long training camp because we were scheduled to fight last year, but something happened, and the fight fell through,” said Acosta who fought only once in 2022.

Acosta will be facing a taller southpaw fighter in Sims, who hails from Minnesota. Also, six undefeated fighters will be participating on the boxing card that begins at 7:30 p.m. The list includes Nelson Oliva (5-0, 5 KOs) who opposes Louisiana’s Wayne Boudreaux (2-0, 1 KO) in a scheduled 6-round super welterweight bout. The fights will be shown on www.thompsonboxing.com.

Showdown in San Antonio

Two-division world titlist Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) of Mexico faces O’Shaquie Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBC super featherweight title on Saturday Feb. 11, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Showtime will televise.

Vargas is moving up a weight division to fight Foster and for the first time will be fighting someone the same height or taller. Will he be able to cope with the size, speed and power that the Texan possesses?

“He’s very valiant fighter. We know and appreciate his style. I’m ready for everything. I have a hunch he’s going to come forward and be aggressive with me. My hunch is he is going to try and come after me.”

Foster blew out Mexico’s Miguel Roman a couple of years ago and in his last fight a year ago, he eliminated the undefeated record of Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov at Dubai. This is a big moment for him to finally fight for a world title.

“Honestly, it didn’t matter who it was. It just makes it better that he (Vargas) is a two-time champion and 36-0. He’s a champion and a current champion. I should get my props after the fight,” said Foster. “He’s definitely the most accomplished I ever fought.”

Local fighter and ex-world titlist Mario Barrios (26-2, 17 KOs) returns home to San Antonio after successive losses and faces Puerto Rico’s Jovanie Santiago (14-2-1, 10 KOs) for a regional welterweight title.

Barrios lost to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and then Keith Thurman. He put on respectable performances in each of those bouts.

Santiago also suffered back-to-back defeats, losing to Gary Antuanne Russell and Adrien Broner. He’s seeking to reaffirm his place in line. A win against Barrios is key.

MarvNation in Pomona

Undefeated super featherweights from the West Coast face off as Las Vegas’ Ezequiel Borrero (6-0, 2 KOs) meets San Diego’s Austin Brooks (9-0, 3 KOs) in the main event on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Derby Room in Pomona, Calif.

Both Borrero and Brooks are southpaws. Brooks has beaten four undefeated fighters already. Borrero has knocked off two. Whose record will be marred?

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Fights to Watch

Fri. www.thompsonboxing.com 8 p.m. George Acosta (13-1) vs Marlin Sims (8-1).

Sat. Showtime 6 p.m. Mario Barrios (26-2) vs Jovanie Santiago (14-2-1); Rey Vargas (36-0) vs O’Shaquie Foster (19-2).

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