Alex Camponovo has embarked on a new mission to develop new world champions with CBN Promotions, the upstart boxing promotion he founded last year after the tragic and sudden death of owner Ken Thompson led to the closure of Thompson Boxing.
CBN Promotions will return to action on Saturday, June 22nd at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The main event will be an eight-round lightweight bout between 25-year-old Tayden Beltran (8-0-1, 4 KOs) of Huntington Beach, California and 38-year-old Cesar Villaraga (10-9-1, 5 KOs) of Colombia.
Camponovo has been instrumental in the success of many fighters over the years. One fighter who made Camponovo smile with pride was former unified junior featherweight titleholder Daniel Roman. During his time with Thompson Boxing, Camponovo also helped shape the careers of Timothy Bradley Jr. and Josecito Lopez. Now, he's embarking on a new path, hosting shows in Long Beach and focusing on raising awareness for his new promotion.
“Needless to say, starting a new brand is never easy, especially after 23 very successful years with Thompson Boxing,” Camponovo said. “We've developed some really promising fighters and world champions.”
One of the challenges the company faces is getting fans to discover its television broadcasts. Thompson Boxing shows have aired on YouTube and Facebook, while CBN Promotions fights are broadcast on Fox Deportes and Fubo TV. While these platforms are accessible, letting boxing fans know about these broadcasters is a new hurdle.
“It's not that simple,” Camponovo said. “I think it has a lot to do with continuity. CBN's plan is to have a busy schedule for the rest of the year. After June 22, they'll resume on Aug. 10, but I think a big question is what types of matches they're going to feature or present to their spectators and their broader audience.”
Camponovo also emphasized their global reach: despite having their shows in the Los Angeles market, they aim to broadcast their matches on a global scale, which they believe is key to their future.
When asked what type of fighter he was looking to target for his promotion, Camponovo was honest about his search for the next world champion.
“Obviously, the guy who throws the hardest punches puts on a great show, right? But those guys are hard to come by,” Camponovo said. “You're always looking for a guy who can throw hard, who is a good athlete, who listens to his corner and doesn't have any trouble in his personal life outside the ring.”
“The bottom line in everything is being a hard worker. A player who understands that everybody has limitations and is really trying to get better. A player who is willing to put in the work and is willing to take risks as he builds his career. I always tell them the same thing: I'm going to get the best out of you.”
“The only way to prepare [a big fight] “It's not because people are encouraging you, it's because they know you've developed to get to that level. So, all you want is someone who can see that there's a plan behind it all and a way that you're going to work hard to help them get better.”
The card will feature Beltran in the main event, as 25-year-old Maywood, California native Eric Mondragon (9-1-1, 4 KOs) takes on 24-year-old Colombian Kevin “Piedrahita” Puerta (9-1-8 KOs). Both Mondragon and Puerta come into the fight with similar records, reflecting Camponovo’s policy of selecting opponents based on the ability of their fighters.
With the U.S. economy still in a precarious position, even as it restarts, and with gas prices soaring and everyday items more expensive than they were a few years ago, the trickle-down effect on promoters is real. Camponovo reflected on some of the obstacles that can come up in grassroots matchmaking.
“The market is a little bit strange these days,” Camponovo says, “The economics of the sport are changing based on the economics around us. Inflation is an issue for everyone. Opponents want to make more money than they used to. The market is a little crazy. It's very hard to bring in talent from other places, like Mexico, because getting a visa from there is like winning the lottery. So, overall, it's very difficult.”
Saturday's events will coincide with the Copa America soccer tournament, with Mexico's big match on Saturday broadcasting at 8pm PST before kick-off.
“This year it will be held here, and on the evening of the 22nd, Mexico will play Jamaica. We will have an event where people can watch the match on a big screen at the venue, enjoy a few hours of football, and then the match will start at 8pm. We hope it will be an event that the whole family can enjoy, and that we will see a lot of people come.”
