Carl Thompson (boxer)


Adrian Carl Thompson is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2005. He held multiple championships at cruiserweight, including the WBO title between 1997 and 1999, and the IBO title twice between 2001 and 2005. Additionally, he held the British title in 1992 and 1999, and the European title in 1994 and 2000. He is also a former Muay Thai fighter, who fought in 1987 and 1989 for World Titles.

Professional career

Early years

Nicknamed "The Cat", Thompson turned professional boxer in 1988. He went 8-0 before losing to Crawford Ashley by TKO in round 6 for the British Central Area light heavyweight title after taking a thumb to the eye. In 1990 he was outpointed by Franco Wanyama, and in 1991 he was KOd by Yawe Davis. However, his punching power in his right hand brought him to contention, stopping the undefeated Nicky Piper in three rounds.
Thompson won the vacant British cruiserweight title by beating Steve Lewsam in eight rounds in June 1992, then in his next fight won the WBC International title in two rounds against Arthur 'Stormy' Weathers at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London in February 1993.
In February 1994, Thompson traveled to Ferrara, Emilia Romagna, Italy and won the European title by defeating Massimiliano Duran by KO in eight rounds, and in his next bout knocked out France's Akim Tafer in six rounds at Epernay, Marne, France to retain his European title.
After winning two mark-time fights, Thompson was matched against Ralf Rocchigiani in a bout for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title at the G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester in June 1995. Both fighters were knocked down in round five, and Thompson lost during round eleven after dislocating his shoulder.

WBO cruiserweight champion

After returning with three wins, Thompson won the WBO cruiserweight title via decision over Ralf Rocchigiani in a rematch in Stadionsporthalle, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany in October 1997. He defended the belt twice, beating the smaller Chris Eubank in 1998 before losing it via a controversial referee stoppage to Johnny Nelson in 1999.
Thompson regained the vacant British title with a twelfth round knockout of Terry Dunstan in December 1999, then regained the vacant European title with a sixth round stoppage of Alain Simon.

Thompson's winning streak ended in a fourth round knockout defeat to Ezra Sellers in 2001.

Thompson vs. Rothman

After three low-key wins, Thompson met South African, Sebastian Rothman. Thompson had been on the end of beating for most of the bout. The BBC commentators on the night, Jim Neilly and Colin McMillan, were calling for Carl's retirement, saying he was finished, taking the beating needlessly, and that the fight should have been stopped.
Rothman forced Thompson on to the ropes during the ninth round and the referee looked at Thompson ready to stop the fight. Somehow Thompson got away from the ropes and forced Rothman into the middle of the ring. With 17 seconds remaining in the round, Rothman dropped his left hand for what seemed like a fraction of a second, allowing Carl to deliver a flush right hand to the South African's head knocking him to the canvas.
Rothman bravely tried to get back on his feet but his legs had gone and the referee had no option but to stop the fight, handing Thompson a famous victory.

Thompson vs. Haye

In September 2004 at 40 years of age, Thompson boxed the up-and-coming David Haye in a classic 'youth vs experience' matchup. Haye started fast and caught Thompson with constant barrages of power punches, coming close to forcing a stoppage at numerous points over the first few rounds.
Gradually, despite the early punishment he received, Thompson warmed up and worked his way into the fight whilst Haye seemed to tire and slow down. Thompson began to pressure Haye and knocked Haye down with a chopping right hand in round five. With seven seconds left in the round, Thompson landed two jabs followed by a flush right hand which rocked a fatigued Haye, and compelled Haye's corner to throw in the towel.
Thompson retired at the end of 2005 after a points win over Frederic Serrat.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
40Win34–6 Frédéric SerratPTS1026 Nov 2005 Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, England
39Win33–6 David HayeTKO5, 2:5310 Sep 2004 Wembley Arena, London, EnglandRetained IBO cruiserweight title
38Win32–6 Sebastiaan RothmannTKO9, 2:576 Feb 2004 Ponds Forge, Sheffield, EnglandWon IBO cruiserweight title
37Win31–6 Paul BonsonPTS67 Nov 2003 Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, England
36Win30–6 Hastings RasaniKO1, 2:015 Sep 2003 Ponds Forge, Sheffield, England
35Win29–6 Phil DayKO4, 0:3510 Jun 2003 Ponds Forge, Sheffield, England
34Loss28–6 Ezra SellersKO4, 1:3626 Nov 2001 Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, EnglandLost IBO cruiserweight title
33Win28–5 Uriah GrantTKO5, 2:203 Feb 2001 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, EnglandWon IBO cruiserweight title
32Win27–5 Alexey IlyinTKO2 25 Sep 2000 Metrodome, Barnsley, EnglandRetained European cruiserweight title
31Win26–5 Alain SimonTKO6, 2:2513 May 2000 Metrodome, Barnsley, EnglandWon vacant European cruiserweight title
30Win25–5 Terry DunstanKO12, 2:403 Dec 1999 Bushfield Leisure Centre, Peterborough, EnglandWon vacant British cruiserweight title
29Loss24–5 Johnny NelsonTKO5, 1:4227 Mar 1999 Storm Arena, Derby, EnglandLost WBO cruiserweight title
28Win24–4 Chris Eubank9, 3:0018 Jul 1998 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, EnglandRetained WBO cruiserweight title
27Win23–4 Chris Eubank1218 Apr 1998 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, EnglandRetained WBO cruiserweight title
26Win22–4 Ralf Rocchigiani124 Oct 1997 Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, GermanyWon WBO cruiserweight title
25Win21–4 Keith McMurrayTKO4 26 Apr 1997 Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland
24Win20–4 Jason NicholsonPTS89 Nov 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
23Win19–4 Albert CallTKO5 13 Apr 1996 Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, England
22Loss18–4 Ralf RocchigianiTKO11, 0:3810 Jun 1995 G-Mex Centre, Manchester, EnglandFor vacant WBO cruiserweight title
21Win18–3 Tim KnightKO5 13 Oct 1994 Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France
20Win17–3 Dionisio Lazario NascimentoTKO1, 1:0610 Sep 1994 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
19Win16–3 Akim TaferTKO6 14 Jun 1994 Épernay, FranceRetained European cruiserweight title
18Win15–3 Massimiliano DuranKO8 2 Feb 1994 Ferrara, ItalyWon European cruiserweight title
17Win14–3 Willie JakeKO3 25 Jul 1993 Oldham, England
16Win13–3 Steve HarveyKO1 31 Mar 1993 York Hall, London, England
15Win12–3 Arthur WeathersKO2 17 Feb 1993 York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant WBC International cruiserweight title
14Win11–3 Steve LewsamTKO8 4 Jun 1992 Cleethorpes, EnglandWon vacant British cruiserweight title
13Win10–3 Nicky PiperTKO3 4 Sep 1991 York Hall, London, England
12Loss9–3 Yawe DavisTKO2 1 Apr 1991 Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco
11Win9–2 Terry DixonPTS87 Mar 1991 Festival Hall, Basildon, England
10Loss8–2 Franco WanyamaPTS621 Apr 1990 Sint-Amandsberg, Belgium
9Loss8–1 Crawford AshleyTKO6 31 Oct 1989 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, EnglandFor vacant British Central Area light-heavyweight title
8Win8–0 Peter BrownKO5 11 Jul 1989 Variety Club, Batley, England
7Win7–0 Steve OsbornePTS812 Jun 1989 Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
6Win6–0 Tenko Ernie4 4 May 1989 Hilton, London, England
5Win5–0 Keith HalliwellTKO1, 1:044 Apr 1989 Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester, England
4Win4–0 Sean O'PhoenixTKO4 7 Mar 1989 Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester, England
3Win3–0 Steve OsbornePTS613 Feb 1989 Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester, England
2Win2–0 Paul Sheldon611 Oct 1988 South Staffs Sporting Club, Wolverhampton, England
1Win1–0 Darren McKenna2 6 Jun 1988 Free Trade Hall, Manchester, EnglandProfessional debut