Former Eubank opponent, Tony Thornton, passes on

[coghaugen11]

Tony Thornton has passed away, through a motorcycle accident.

We all remember watching him fight Eubank on the old ITV, punching postman.

He defined the term 'solid pro'. That concrete bald head and sneaky hard right-hand. The Ring actually did an article on him in 1987, instigating he may be the next big thing and might have the best right hand punch in boxing behind Tommy Hearns.

If not for major hand injury he may have knocked out super chins like Doug DeWitt or Steve Collins (Eubank I doubt, as his chin was super-duper).

His skill was good as well, as can be seen in his gap-closing performance against awkward Merqui Sosa - tight defence and tight offense.

A consummate pro. Just got on with it. And never gave up his job as a mailman or managed to get any time off, even in camp for Eubank, James Toney and Roy Jones Jr!

A good honest guy by all accounts too.

[TerribleTerry]

Gutted. RIP the Punching Postman. What a hard, good pro he was.

[Datsue]

RIP.

[steve689]

Sad news to hear the postman passed away. I remember him going in with Roy Jones as well.

[Quixall]

Very sad to hear this news

R.I.P

[stujones]

Yeah, gutted about this news. Agree with lots of the OP - very much a "solid pro". However, Collins chin was made of cast also.

[McCannW14]

Very sad. True pro, no frills or dressing up. Just a real fighter. RIP

[TerribleTerry]

He gave Steve Collins a stiff test when the Irishman was plying his trade in the states too.

[alexpaterson]

RIP a very tough fighter

[Ketchel]

I was just reading in The Ring website an interview with James Toney who says that Thornton had the best chin of all his opponents.

RIP

[chinny]

Sad news.

He was pretty much the only 'real' number one contender Eubank faced in his WBO reigns. Thornton was ranked no 1 by every one.

What a solid bloke he seemed.

[terrez]

Strive in Vallhalla warrior....

Thanks

[Autobarn]

good tidy pro. gave james toney a brisk workout and many feel he beat eubank.

sorry to hear this.

[dondada]

Ah, that's a damn shame.

Really good, solid, underrated pro.

[Greg Nicholas]

RIP

[Greg Nicholas]

He gave Steve Collins a stiff test when the Irishman was plying his trade in the states too.

Collins was a big underdog.. Prob Steves best win behind Eubank No.2 fight, tho it wasnt a clearcut win and he nearly lost his ear..!

Thornton was truly hard.. He fought a peak Roy Jones with a shoulder injury nd dislocated it during the fight..

[FLINT ISLAND]

Tony Thornton has died from injures suffered in a motorcycle accident

He fought Steve Collins and Chris Eubank and James Toney got blizted in 3 rounds by Roy Jones.

RIP

[Arnie]

R.I.P champ

[Bomber 1]

Pushed Eubank very hard and was a great pro..

Very sad times.. :(

R.I.P Mr Thornton...

[Old bones Ian]

Saw in BN that Tony Thornton was killed in a motorcycle accident.
This guy was a tough boxer, Chris Eubank had to put in one of his better displays to beat him, and i remember him beating John Scully and completly destroying Darren Zenner after that.
He also beat Dave Tiberi, Merqui Sosa.

Only stopped by punches from a prime RJJ.

R.I.P Tony

[Gray-Fox]

RIP