Fights this Friday on “New Blood”

ORANGE, Calif. – Heavyweight prospect Justin Davenport (1-0-1, 1 KO) recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Thompson Boxing Promotions, the Southern California-based promotional company announced today. The six-foot-six, 255-pound Davenport fought on the undercard of a recent Thompson Boxing event. He thrilled the crowd when he delivered a stunning first-round, one-punch knockout of Justin Goslee. Shortly thereafter, both sides began discussions on a promotional deal.

“Justin has the size, strength and determination to do wonderful things in the heavyweight division,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “The lack of a dominant American heavyweight is missing from the sport. We view Justin as a breath of fresh air and we plan on developing him quick, getting him the experience he needs to develop into a top contender.”

“I am extremely grateful to Ken and Alex Camponovo of Thompson Boxing for giving me this opportunity,” Davenport said. “I love everything there is about the sport. The training aspect, the nutrition side, everything is done with a purpose. Since it’s an individual sport, you get what you put in, and I plan on being the first one to enter the gym and the last one to leave.”

Davenport looks for his second straight knockout victory when he faces the equally young and talented Edward Ramirez (1-0, 1 KO) of Yuma, Ariz. in a four-round bout.  Davenport-Ramirez is part of the “New Blood” undercard promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions taking place this Friday, Feb. 28, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.  For full event details, clickhere.

Tickets priced $100, $60, $40 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 714-935-0900or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

The 28-year-old Davenport picked up the sport four years ago and had a brief amateur career going 8-0 with 3 knockouts. Davenport, a former basketball player at Fullerton Junior College in Orange County, Calif., is a natural athlete that is accustomed to the daily grind of roadwork and ring time that boxing requires.

“Justin is a tireless, self-motivated individual,” said Jerry Valencia, Davenport’s manager. “You have to push some boxers to work out hard, not to cheat drills, but not Justin. He is in shape year round and always wants to train. I wish every boxer had his enthusiasm for the sport.”

“Sometimes we need tell him to slow down because he needs to give his muscles a chance to rest and heal,” said Lisa Valencia, a former professional boxer that works as Davenport’s trainer. “He understands, however, that the more time you spend in the gym, the better you will become.”

Davenport trains out of the Valencia Boxing Camp in Lake Arrowhead, Calif., a high altitude mountain resort town in Southern California.

L to R: Ken Thompson, Justin Davenport & Manager Jerry Valencia

Team Davenport with Ken Thompson