Competitive, heavyweight matchups generate buzz unlike any other. So much so that tickets for LaRon Mitchell's (15-0, 13 KOs) title defense against Michael Bissett (14-9, 8 KOs) on Friday, Aug. 25, have been sold out since last week.

Due to high interest, Thompson Boxing Promotions will open an additional section of tickets that will be available for purchase - at the door - on the day of the event starting at 6:00 p.m. local time.

Mitchell vs. Bissett is the 8-round "Path to Glory" main attraction taking place from Omega Products International in Corona, Calif. To access the promotional video, please click here, or on the graphic above.

Mitchell, who is based in San Francisco, will make the first defense of the NABF Junior heavyweight title he won last October. He captured the vacant championship by unanimous decision over Scott Alexander.

"Bissett is a tough customer," said Mitchell, who is a southpaw.  "He had a good amateur background, but he was matched tough early in his career. I expect a tough battle. I'm ready to win in any way possible. Whether it's by decision or knockout, it doesn't matter to me."

For Mitchell, arriving at this stage has been a remarkable accomplishment considering he didn't pick up the sport until his early thirties. The former college football tight end had a brief amateur career highlighted by a runner up finish at the 2012 U.S. National Championships.

"I'm a totally different fighter mentally," said Mitchell, referring to his progress. "The confidence is there. I have progressively gotten stronger and my technique has improved. My game is more refined from when I first started."

Mitchell will need every tool in his arsenal to get passed Bissett, who sits on a four-fight winning streak.

"I've watched him fight before," Mitchell said. "He's one of those fighters that you have to beat. You're not going to beat him just by showing up. If you're not sharp, he'll make you look bad."

In addition to advancing his boxing career, Mitchell works full time as a physical education teacher at St. Elizabeth's in Oakland, Calif.

The 8-round "Path to Glory" main event, along with the entire undercard, will be streamed live on TB Presents: Path to Glory.

In the 8-round co-feature, NABF Junior featherweight champion Erick Ituarte (17-1-1, 2 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. makes his first title defense against Alberto Torres (10-0-2, 4 KOs) of Modesto, Calif.

The featured bout on the "Path to Glory" undercard pits a pair of undefeated junior lightweights in Roberto Meza (8-0, 4 KOs) of Temecula, Calif. and Giovanni Cabrera-Mioletti (8-0, 2 KOs) of Chicago (6-rounds).

Watch the LIVESTREAM on ThompsonBoxing.com or on the Thompson Boxing Facebook Page beginning at 8:00 p.m. PST / 11:00 p.m. EST.

The "Path to Glory" broadcast team features Beto Duran on play-by-play, with Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 8:00 p.m. The Omega Products International is located at 1681 California Ave., Corona, CA 92881 and can be reached at 951-737-7447.

Shane Shapiro's No Limits Mindset, LLC is pleased to announce the signing of lightweight contender, Mason Menard to an exclusive managerial contract.

Menard of Rayne, Louisiana has a record of 33-2, 24KO's.

Menard, 28 years-old and is a 10 year-professional.

Menard catapulted to national prominence with with explosive knockout victories over Eudy Bernardo (21-0), and Bahodir Mamadjonov (19-2) on ShoBox: The New Generation.

"The thing I love about Mason is that he is a fighter who is extremely dedicated to his craft, he is very easy to talk to and he is a family man who has his priorities in order. Mason is the type of fighter every manager wants to work with, the kind of guy who is always in the gym and will fight anyone I put in front of him," said Shapiro.

"Big things! I've been waiting a while for something like this to happen. It's exactly what I need,"said Menard. "Shane stepped in and is willing to help me get to the level I need to be at. We both are big believers in God and this is all God's work through answered prayers.  Looking forward to the future with my man Shane. We are two young and hungry guys helping out each other with our God given talents. All I can say is, world stay tune, we coming for the straps!"

Shapiro seemed very excited to add Menard to his stable of fighters. Shapiro stated "The thing I love about Mason is that he is a fighter who is extremely dedicated to his craft, he is very easy to talk to and he is a family man who has his priorities in order. Mason is the type of fighter every manager wants to work with, the kind of guy who is always in the gym and will fight anyone I put in front of him" when asked what made him most excited about signing Menard.

The sky's the limit for Menard according to Shapiro.

 "I don't see any other scenario than Mason owning a piece of the Lightweight World Championship crown fighting against all the big names at 135. If he continues to dedicate himself to his craft, I believe my team will get him the biggest fights possible."

A change in training camps is also what Shapiro believes will lead to a new and improved Mason Menard.

 "One thing that me and Mason both spoke about is the fact that I am based out of Los Angeles, and that we would look to move his training camps out here in LA, where there is better sparring available to him outside of what he has been accustomed to in Louisiana. I believe that with a change in training environment and better sparring this will result in even better performances from Mason inside the ring in future fights."

Louisiana based fight fans better pay close attention to the next time you see Mason Menard (They are shooting for an early 2018 return) on a fight poster, according to Shapiro.

"I think we will have Mason have 1-2 fights locally in Louisiana and then look to showcase him across the United States."

The move seems to be a positive one for the Menard camp as he mentioned that the signing with No Limit Mindset means.

"Big things! I've been waiting a while for something like this to happen. It's exactly what I need. Shane stepped in and is willing to help me get to the level I need to be at. We both are big believers in God and this is all God's work through answered prayers.  Looking forward to the future with my man Shane. We are two young and hungry guys helping out each other with our God given talents. All I can say is, world stay tune, we are coming for the straps!" finished Menard.

Menard is coming off of an 8 round decision victory over Carlos Cardenas (22-14) in March of this year. Menard was also featured on an HBO card against rugged veteran Ray Beltran. A fight in which Menard suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery that has kept him out of action for the remainder of 2017.

Shapiro is also the manager of Super Middleweight prospect Cem Kilic (8-0 5 KOs) and Middleweight prospect Kalvin Henderson (7-0 4 KOs).

STATEN ISLAND-Today, Boyd Melson, former WBC USNBC champion, 2008 Olympic alternate, and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, publicly launched his campaign for Congress against Republican Dan Donovan. The campaign released a video to mark the announcement which highlights Melson's dedication to helping others through his service to our country, his passion and commitment to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, and the personal struggle and vow he made to help those struggling with drug addiction.

Melson's deep passion for helping others motivated his stalwart advocacy and support for spinal cord research. He donated all of his professional boxing winnings and worked to raise a combined total of nearly $400,000 to fund research to cure spinal cord injuries. Melson has continued to support the non- profit he co-founded "TEAM FIGHT TO WALK" and has also taken on a new challenge-raising awareness about opiate and opioid addiction. He has donated earnings from fights to a non-profit which aims to defeat drug addictions among young adults and he conducts a weekly free boxing clinic on Staten Island for any resident in the borough who is battling a drug addiction.

"I've spent my entire life fighting-for people I love, for causes I believe in, and for this country," said Melson. "I want to represent those who live on Staten Island and in South Brooklyn because I can be their Champion and make sure their voices, needs, and concerns are heard throughout the halls of Congress."

Melson, who is mixed with Louisiana Creole and Jewish, is a native New Yorker who spent most of his childhood in South Brooklyn and Staten Island. After graduating from High School, he earned an appointment at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, following in the footsteps of his family to serve his country. While at West Point, Melson was quickly recognized as a skilled pugilist and racked up many achievements,  including his winning of the National Collegiate Boxing Association National Championship.

 "The struggle that so many people here in New York, in this district, and all over the country are facing every day is tragic," said Melson. I understand the challenges and barriers individuals with a drug addiction face and I want to do everything I can to help them. Ramping up law enforcement part of the solution, but by itself, is not the solution. We need to tackle this issue by helping people and giving them the resources they need to get healthy."

Melson filed paperwork to run for Congress in April. For four weeks spanning from May to June following Melson's filing, he was away on Active Duty orders serving at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. His campaign raised more than $50,000 in the second quarter of the year.

For more information on the campaign, please visit : www.boydmelson.com