ORANGE, Calif. (Aug. 20, 2019) – Unbeaten bantamweight prospect Saul Sanchez (12-0, 7 KOs) makes his main event debut against Edwin Rodriguez (10-5-1, 5 KOs) this Friday, Aug. 23, from Omega Products International in Corona, Calif.

The 10-round showcase fight can be streamed live on TB Presents: New Blood starting at 8:00 p.m. / 11:00 p.m. ET on Thompson Boxing’s Facebook page, YouTube channel: Thompson Boxing TV and online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

Sanchez, 22, is riding high after his eighth round stoppage of Brandon Benitez in May that earned him the WBO Latino title. The fight was the opening bout of a ShoBox: The New Generation triple header and Sanchez’s first on national television.

The No. Hollywood, Calif. native, who is trained by Joel Diaz and managed by Steve Martini, appears poised for his first main event attraction.

“This is what all boxers work toward when they’re first starting out,” said Sanchez, who turned professional in early 2016. “It’s a challenging fight in a lot of ways. I’m in the main event and fighting ten rounds for the first time. This is all very knew to me, but exciting as well.”

The soft-spoken and painfully shy Sanchez will be fighting from Omega Products for the fifth time in his young career. The outdoor venue, which recently hosted the previously mentioned Showtime broadcast in May, has showcased world champions such as Timothy Bradley, and more recently, Danny Roman, before they hit stardom.

“I think it’s great that I’m fighting in the same place as such great champions,” Sanchez said. “I put in a lot of work for this camp to make sure I win convincingly. I know Rodriguez is looking to pull the upset, but it’s not going to happen.”

Remaining tickets priced at $40, $60 & $100 are available for purchase on the day of the event from the venue starting at 5:30 p.m. local time. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout starting at approximately 7:45 p.m.

In the 8-round “New Blood” co-feature, Bobirzhan Mominov (10-0, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles puts his unbeaten mark to the test against Puerto Rico’s Javier Flores (14-2, 12 KOs).

In other action, heavyweight prospect Oscar Torrez (6-0, 3 KOs) of Rialto, Calif. battles an opponent to be named later (6-rounds).

Welterweight Luis Lopez (7-0, 3 KOs) takes on Demarcus Layton (7-1, 4 KOs) of Little Rock, Ark. in a fight set for 6-rounds.

Junior lightweight Sebastian Salinas (1-0, 1 KO) of Indio, Calif. fights an opponent to be named later (4-rounds).

All fights will stream live on TB Presents: New Blood via our Facebook page, YouTube channel and ThompsonBoxing.com. Beto Duran will handle blow-by-blow duties, while Doug Fischer provides expert, color commentary.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET.

Omega Products International is located at 1681 California Ave. Corona, CA 92881 and can be reached at 951-737-7447.

“New Blood” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

CORONA, Calif. – May 10, 2019 – Undefeated prospect Ruben Villa stayed true to his calm and consistent style, recording a unanimous decision over Luis Alberto Lopez in his first main-event appearance on ShoBox: The New Generation Friday from Omega Products Events Center in Corona, Calif.

The judges’ scorecards read 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 in the featherweight bout, although all three ShoBox commentators had Villa winning each round except the 10th round, giving the final round to Lopez (17-2, 8 KOs) in a fight that saw nearly 1,400 punches thrown.

“I give myself a ‘C’ grade,” said Villa, making his second consecutive ShoBox appearance. “He was a tough opponent and had a real awkward style and wasn’t really a boxer. It took me awhile to adjust to him and it was hard not to get frustrated.”

Taken the 10-round distance for the first time in his career, the 22-year-old Villa (16-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., took the first two rounds to get used to the top-15 ranked contender Lopez’s awkward style before he began landing heavy body shots to dominate the third round.

In the seventh round, Villa out-jabbed Lopez and continued the onslaught of body punches in the ninth round, but was not able to get the knockout against the game Lopez.

“I agreed with the judges’ scorecards,” the two-time National Golden Gloves Amateur Champion Villa said. “I still got the unanimous decision win so I have no problem with that. I can take a whole lot from this fight tonight.”

Lopez was coming off an upset victory over Ray Ximenez in his U.S. debut in February but could not repeat the feat against the highly regarded Villa.

“I hit him with the better shots,” Lopez said. “I was consistently throwing and landing the power shots while he was just jabbing. I felt good. It’s a complicated to fight a lefty, but I thought I landed the punches that scored.”

In the co-feature, undefeated 21-year-old rising prospect Michael Dutchover (13-0, 10 KOs) made quick work of late replacement Rosekie Cristobal (15-4, 11 KOs) of the Philippines, connecting on a right-left combination to Cristobal’s liver that sent him to both knees before being counted out by referee Zachary Young at 1:46 of the first round of a scheduled eight-round super lightweight contest.

In his ShoBox debut, Dutchover of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., by way of Midland, Texas, recorded six body connects among his 11 landed power punches in the fight that lasted just 109 seconds.

“I have to be able to adjust,” said Dutchover, a runner-up at the 2016 National Golden Gloves and a bronze medalist in the 2016 Olympic qualifiers. “I was given a tall lefty on short notice due to the original opponent dropping out. Part of being a professional is being able to adapt. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’ve seen pretty much every style through the amateurs and now during sparring sessions as a pro.”

Dutchover added: “I was patient and waited for the open shots. He wasn’t covering up the body so that was my target. The plan from the beginning was to break him down. I’m just happy I was able to end it early and give the fans something to talk about.”

In the opening bout of the tripleheader, undefeated bantamweight prospect Saul Sanchez (12-0, 7 KOs) recorded an eighth-round knockout against Brandon Benitez (14-2, 6 KOs) in an entertaining and all-action fight.

After an even first round, Sanchez and Benitez continued to trade shots over the first three rounds before Benitez’s legs began to betray him and he tired midway through the fourth, slowing the pace of the fight considerably. Sanchez, of North Hollywood, Calif., landed three huge punches that staggered Benitez as the fourth round came to a close, stoking the undefeated prospect with confidence as the fight reached progressed to the later rounds.

In the seventh round, Mexico’s Benitez suffered an injury over his right eye from a Sanchez punch, and referee Raul Caiz Jr. warned Benitez prior to the eight round to protect himself. At the start of the eighth round, a flush right hand by the 21-year-old Sanchez connected cleanly and Caiz Jr. stepped in and stopped the fight after just 18 seconds.

“I felt strong throughout the fight,” Sanchez said. “Benitez was tough so I had to be careful and aggressive at the same time. I know I hurt him a handful of times, but I know I can do better. My conditioning was great. I was ready to go the distance.”

Sanchez out-landed the 21-year-old Benitez 145-94 overall and 123-78 in power connects while landing 42 percent of his power shots to Benitez’s 29 percent.

“I was responding well in every round,” said Benitez from Queretaro, Mexico. “I don’t know why the referee stopped it. I had a lot more left. I’m just disappointed I wasn’t allowed to finish the fight.”

In Non-Televised Action

Former world title contender Petr Petrov (40-6-2, 20 KOs), who at 36 still campaigns as a lightweight, made easy work of former interim world title-chalenger Ruben Tamayo (27-13-4, 18 KOs)by dropping him three times in the second round to win via knockout at the 2:59 mark.

Petrov, stalked Tamayo from the opening bell and split his guard numerous times with a stiff right. Tamayo looked overwhelmed from the start and was fortunate to exit the fight when he did.

Middleweight contender and 2018 champion of The Contender champion Brandon Adams was interviewed during Friday’s telecast to discuss his June 29 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® showdown with undefeated Jermall Charlo, which was announced earlier on Friday.

“I’m a new face,” Adams told Hall of Famer Steve Farhood. “I’m in the top 10. I’m in the discussion and I think that’s enough to shake everything up. The guy that comes out to nowhere is a great story for boxing.

“I hope I get the best Charlo because I’m bringing the best ‘Cannon.’ I’m very fan friendly and I definitely go for the kill. When I get in the ring I like to entertain myself. I’m very much looking forward to fighting Charlo. It’s going to be exciting.”

Friday’s fights were promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. The full telecast will replay on Monday, May 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Chuck McKean directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2018) – In a thrilling back-and-forth fight, top bantamweight prospect Saul Sanchez (11-0, 6 KOs) narrowly outpointed the game Fernando Saavedra (7-6, 3 KOs) in the “Path to Glory” main event on Friday night.

Sanchez, 21, starring in his first main event, tasted adversity for the first time in his young career and accorded himself well by never backing off the action. Saavedra, who has now fought four straight undefeated prospects, took Sanchez’ best punches and even delivered plenty of his own during the 8-round slug fest.

Sanchez, however, landed the stronger shots and it was evident beginning in the third round when blood began dripping from Saavedra’s nose. The pair opened the fight without much feeling out, as both decided to put their stamp on the fight at the earliest opportunity.

“He was the toughest guy I’ve faced so far,” said Sanchez, who is trained by Joel Diaz and managed by Steve Martini. “His record is a little deceiving. He knows how to fight and can take a punch.”

To watch the fight, please click here for our YouTube channel.

Saavedra, who had an extensive amateur career in his native Mexico, made things interesting by pressing the action in the final two rounds. He sensed he needed a big finish to tilt the fight in his favor. Sanchez, meanwhile, carefully picked his spots and finished with a nice flurry to close out the fight. Defensively, Sanchez was able to slip a lot of the punches thrown by Saavedra.

“I knew I won the fight because my shots were backing him up,” said Sanchez after the fight. “I was the more accurate puncher.”

Scores: 77-75 twice, 76-76.

In the “Path to Glory” co-feature, welterweight prospect Loui Lopez (5-0, 3 KOs) of Corona, Calif. used a quick attack to sweep the scorecards over Ray Cervera (0-2) of Bakersfield, Calif.

Lopez, who is trained by Henry Ramirez, showcased his fast hands and strong punching ability throughout the four round fight. Lopez worked off a sharp jab that opened up the rest of his punching arsenal. Lopez went over the top with his right hand and followed up with hooks to the body.

One-sided scores: 40-36 all around.

Heavyweight Oscar Torrez (3-0, 1 KO) of Rialto, Calif. stayed unbeaten with a workmanlike decision win over Richard Soto (0-1) of Dinuba, Calif.

Torrez worked effectively from the outside and let his hands go in the fourth and final round. He backed up Soto, who was making his professional debut, with multiple power punches that caused Soto to take a knee. Overall, Torrez found the angels in virtually every round, while Soto mainly covered up and through defensive shots.

Scores: 40-35, 39-36 twice.

Junior middleweight Anthony Franco (3-1-1) of Redlands, Calif. capitalized on a big third round to defeat Antonio Hernandez (1-4) of Kansas City, Mo. by unanimous decision.

A left hook by Franco dropped Hernandez in the third. The knockdown, however, was a fortuitous one for Franco as he caught Hernandez extremely off balance. Nevertheless, Franco landed consistently throughout the four-round fight, while Hernandez only punched in spurts.

Scores: 40-35, 39-36, 38-37.

In an obvious mismatch, featherweight Rafael Rivera (26-2-2, 17 KOs) of Mexico made easy work out of fellow countryman Jose Ramos (11-15-1, 8 KOs) in the “Path to Glory” show opener.

Rivera knocked out Ramos at the 1:51 mark of the opening round. He dropped him once with power shots that caused Ramos to stumble on the ropes, which was ruled a knockdown. Rivera poured it on from there, landing hooks to the head and body. Ramos wasn’t answering and was locked in a guard positon, prompting referee Ray Corona to call the fight.

“Path to Glory” was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2018) – Unbeaten bantamweight prospect Saul Sanchez (10-0, 6 KOs) headlines his first event this Friday, Oct. 19, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Sanchez faces Fernando Saavedra (7-5, 3 KOs) of Mexico in the “Path to Glory” 8-round main event. Sanchez, who fights out of northern Los Angeles, but trains with Joel Diaz in Indio, Calif., is ready for the limelight.

“This is what I’ve been working toward this year,” said Sanchez, who turned 21-years-old in June. “I want to keep getting better. I’m always in the gym and all the work is paying off.”

Sanchez is coming off back-to-back knockout wins in June and August. Nicknamed “The Beast” for his intimidating fighting style, Sanchez plans to put on a show in his first showcase event.

“I think I’m always in exciting fights,” said Sanchez, managed by Steve Martini. “I like to cut off the ring and just go after guys. I don’t think I’m changing that anytime soon.”

Tickets for “Path to Glory” are priced at $40, $60, & $100, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

In the co-feature, welterweight Loui Lopez (4-0, 3 KOs) of Corona, Calif. meets fellow unbeaten prospect Isaiah Vernall (2-0, 1 KO) of Kenosha, Wash. in bout set for 4-rounds.

Leading the undercard are a pair junior lightweights from Mexico. Rafael Rivera (25-2-2, 16 KOs) and Jose Ramos (11-14-1, 8 KOs) will battle in a scheduled 8-rounder.

Heavyweight Oscar Torres (2-0, 1 KO) of San Bernardino, Calif. will look to stay undefeated against Richard Soto of Bakersfield, Calif. (4-rounds). Soto makes his professional debut.

Opening “Path to Glory” are junior middleweights Anthony Franco (2-1-1) of Redlands, Calif. and Antonio Hernandez (1-3) of Kansas, City, Kan. (4-rounds).

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: Path to Glory via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, and ThompsonBoxing.com.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert, color commentary.

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at 909-937-0900.

“Path to Glory” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. To follow the conversation on social media, please use #PathtoGlory, #TBPresents, and #ThompsonBoxing.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.