Alex Camponovo has embarked on a new mission with CBN Promotions, his upstart boxing promotion formed last year, following the discontinuation of Thompson Boxing after the tragic and sudden passing of owner Ken Thompson, to build another world champion.
CBN Promotions returns Saturday, June 22, with a card in Long Beach, California, at Thunder Studios. The headlining bout will be an eight-round lightweight fight between Tayden Beltran (8-0-1, 4 KOs), 25, from Huntington Beach, California, and Cesar Villarraga (10-9-1, 5 KOs), 38, of Colombia.
Camponovo was instrumental in the success of many fighters over the years. One fighter that made him beam with pride was Daniel Roman, the former unified junior featherweight titleholder. Camponovo also played a role in the careers of Timothy Bradley Jr. and Josesito Lopez while with Thompson Boxing. Now, he is starting a new journey, running shows in Long Beach, and is focused on building awareness around his new promotion.
“Obviously, it’s never easy to start a new brand, especially coming from 23 years with Thompson Boxing, a very successful run that we had there,” said Camponovo. “We built some really good prospects and world champions.”
One of the challenges the company faces is getting fans to find the telecasts. While Thompson Boxing shows were broadcast on YouTube and Facebook, CBN Promotions’ fights are on Fox Deportes and Fubo TV. Though these platforms are accessible, informing boxing fans about these outlets is a new hurdle.
“It’s not simple,” said Camponovo. “I think a lot has to do with continuity. Our plan at CBN is we have a busy schedule for the remainder of the year. After June 22, we’re back on August 10, and I think it has a lot to do with what type of fights we’re featuring or presenting to the crowd, to the broader audience, right?”
Camponovo also emphasized a global reach. Despite hosting shows in the Los Angeles market, they aim to distribute fights globally, which they believe will be key to their future.
When asked what type of fighter he looks to target for his promotion, Camponovo provided an honest answer as he looks to find his next world champion.
“Obviously, the guys that punch the hardest, that give you a great show, right, but that never happens,” said Camponovo. “You always want the guy that can punch hard, who is a good athlete, listens to his corner, and doesn’t have any troubles outside of the ring with his personal life.”
“I think the bottom line for everything is just hard-working fighters, ones that understand we all have limitations, and that they are actually trying to get better at it. People that are willing to work and are willing to take the risks as you build your career. And I always tell them the same thing: I’m going to match you to the best of your ability.”
“The only way to be ready for [a big fight] is not by people pumping you up, but because, you know you developed to get to that level. So that’s, that’s, that’s all you want somebody that can understand that there’s a plan behind all of it, and there’s a way that you try to do things in order for them to get better.”
This card will feature Beltran as the main event and Eric Mondragon (9-1-1, 4 KOs), 25, from Maywood, California, facing the 24-year-old Colombian Kevin Piedrahita Puerta (9-1, 8 KOs). Both Mondragon and Puerta enter with similar records, mirroring Camponovo’s commitment to matching fighters to their ability.
Though just starting out again, the U.S. economy is currently in an unsettling place. With high gasoline prices and regular items costing more than they did a few years ago, the trickle-down effect to promoters is real. Camponovo reflected on some of the hurdles that can come up on the grassroots level of matchmaking.
“The market’s a little bit different nowadays,” said Camponovo. “The economics of the sport are changing based on the economics that we have all around. Inflation is an issue for everybody. Opponents want to earn more money than before. The market’s a little bit crazy. Bringing talent from other areas like Mexico is very difficult because getting visas from there is like winning the lotto. So all in all, it is very difficult.”
Saturday’s event will coincide with the Copa America soccer tournament. The big match on Saturday involving Mexico will be broadcast prior to the fights starting at 8 PM PST.
“It’s played here this year. And that night, the 22nd, Mexico is playing Jamaica. So we’re going to start an event so people can come and watch on the big screens that we have over there at the venue, enjoy a couple of hours of soccer, and then we’re going to go into our fights starting at 8 PM. So it’s kind of like a combination of fun family event for everybody, and we’re hoping that we have a great turnout.”