Thompson Boxing Promotions presented an exciting six bout "Path to Glory" card" on Friday night from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. In the main event Super featherweight Jose Lopez knocked out Ulises Pena with a punishing right hand at 1:01 of the first round. The fight was billed as a crossroads fight for both men. Lopez and Pena came in riding seven fight win streaks, and a win would catapult the victor up the proverbial ladder.

Fireworks were expected during Friday's main event, as both fighters are known as action come right at you fighters. The expected fireworks did happen, they just didn't last very long. From the opening bell both fighters came out firing. Punches flew everywhere, and as the round was still getting started Lopez landed a huge overhand right to the chin of Pena during an exchange, which sent Pena down immediately. Pena went down hard flat on his back, and made an attempt to beat the count, but wasn't able to. Just like that, Jose Lopez scored the biggest win of his young career in impressive fashion. This makes the 2nd first round stoppage in a row for Lopez.

The win should send Lopez up the Boxing charts, as his exciting style combined with his performance make for an entertaining spectacle. Lopez improved to 11-1 with the win, and has 7 KOs. Pena of Pacoima, California falls to 11-5 with the loss. Lopez registered the KO at 1:01 of the first round.

In the semi-main event Brazilian KO artist Joilson Dos Santos battled Ramon "Killer" Espinoza of Pacoima, California in a six round middleweight fight. The fight may have stolen the show in Ontario on Friday night. Dos Santos came in with a KO reputation, sporting a 6-0 record with 6 KOs. Espinoza came in with a 5-2 record, but had defeated two undefeated fighters in his career. The first round was close, as Dos Santos appeared to be a little bit sharper.

In round two Espinoza came out smoking. He landed a good straight right to the head early in the round. Dos Santos came back with a good right hand to the body. Later in the round Espinoza cornered Dos Santos and landed a solid right uppercut followed up by a good straight right to the cheek. Espinoza was able to corner Dos Santos a lot during the fight, and was most effective when doing so. Espinoza landed a great left hook, and followed it with another late in the round. Dos Santos came back with a solid combination to the head, but Espinoza capped the round with a strong combination to the head. Espinoza cornered Dos Santos on the ropes early in round three. Dos Santos did pretty good work with his back against the ropes, but again Espinoza capped the round with a huge overhand right.

Espinoza came out strong again in round four, as he landed a good right cross to the head. Once again Espinoza was able to corner Dos Santos and land good shots. Espinoza landed the cleaner and stronger shots during this round. Espinoza was able to get inside and corner Dos Santos through most of the fight which kept Dos Santos from getting extension on his punches. Espinoza came out in round five and landed two solid straight right hands to the head. Again Espinoza cornered Dos Santos and landed a good left-right combo to the body. Espinoza once again capped the round with a great overhand right to the chin.

The fight turned around in round six, as Dos Santos took the initiative and aggressively went after Espinoza. It was by far Dos Santos's best round of the fight. Dos Santos was able to land some big shots during the round, but his biggest came at the end of the round. Dos Santos landed a huge right cross on the chin of Espinoza, which dropped Espinoza flat on his back. Luckily for Espinoza it was near the end of the round, and the bell saved him. Dos Santos finally showed his power, but just a little too late. The fight went to the cards and Espinoza squeaked out a split decision win. Two judges scored the fight 57-56 for Espinoza, while the other judge scored the fight 57-56 for Dos Santos. BRC scored the fight 57-56 for Espinoza. Once again Espinoza was able to knock off an undefeated fighter. With the win he improved to 6-2, while Dos Santos fell to 6-1. 

There were four other fights on the "Path to Glory" card. In a six round junior welterweight fight Nino Grajeda of Anaheim, California upset Alex Viramontes of Riverside, California by split decision. This was a good fight that was fought at close quarters throughout. Grajeda was able to impose his will on Viramontes and wear Viramontes down. Viramontes appeared tired after the 2nd round, and Grajeda was able to land more and edge out a victory over the game Viramontes. Grajeda improved to 6-4-1 with the win, while Viramontes fell to 5-2.

Undefeated lightweight prospect Shaun Plessis of Sparwood, Canada defeated Mauricio Borquez of Culiacan, Mexico in a six round lightweight bout. Plessis, who is trained and managed by 2004 world boxing hall of fame inductee Jesse Reid improved to 9-0 with a dominating win over Borquez. Plessis won by a shutout unanimous decision. In a four round super middleweight bout, Danny "El Oso" Garcia knocked out Pablo Platas in the first round. Garcia landed a devastating overhand right to the chin of Platas, which sent Platas down hard. Platas made an attempt to beat the count, but could not. Garcia improved to 2-0 with the impressive victory, while Platas took the loss in his pro debut.

The final fight of the six bout "Path to Glory" card was a four round junior welterweight bout between Timothy Ray Bradley of Palm Springs, California and Raul Nunez of Bakersfield, California. Bradley took the fight to the game Nunez and won a shutout unanimous decision victory. Bradley was too fast and too sharp for the gutsy Nunez. Nunez gave all he had, and fought the whole fight with blood rushing down his face from a busted nose. Bradley was just too much for him, and was able to land a far better ratio of punches. Bradley looked solid and improved to 2-0, while Nunez falls in his pro debut.

This capped off a exciting night of Boxing at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. Six good fights, with an explosive 1st round knockout in the main event. This card was promoted by Thompson Promotions, and it was announced that their next card will be held on November 22 from the Doubletree Hotel in California. The main event for that card was also announced, as Eddie Sanchez will battle Carlos Bojorquez in a junior middleweight fight. Sanchez is fresh off his shocking upset over J. C. Candelo, and Bojorquez is coming off a loss to Verno Phillips in a fight  for the vacant IBF junior middleweight title.

10-29-2004