Well done Carl + Huge respect for Rothman!!

[Kilburn]

I gave Thompson a decent enough chance to win beforehand and I was obviously delighted at the result but I agree with Knockout, I'd like to see Carl pack it in right now in a way, he can't be having wars like that at his age.

What a perfect countering right hand though, delivered absolutely brilliantly considering how exhausted he was. It was similar to that shot that Evander really rocked Tyson with, except Rothmann obviously failed to stay on his feet.

[jamesmcdonnell]

What I don't want to see, is Carl put in there with a fast handed puncher. Someone like Haye, although inexperienced, could probably put one hell of a beating on Carl. I'm not saying Carl couldn't win, he could if it went on long enough, but he'd probably have to take a pounding again.

Either a rematch with Nelson, a soft defence, or retirement.

[stujones]

I can't see Haye vs Thompson happening for the reason's that you've stated James. Also, should Haye win this hypothetical bout, where does that leave him. He'd be probably in the Worlds top ten with limited experience, any learning fight he choses to take will be considered a backward step. Listen to the crticism Enzo has faced after his last fight, but in truth the Scott fight just came a little soon for him, he still needs to learn.

The criticisms that would face Haye after a match with Thompson (if successful) would be 10 fold that of Enzo.

Haye should be focusing on the Lee Swaby's, Garry Delaney's of this world (no disrespect) first. If he beats world ranked Thompson, he can't go back to top 7 or 8 in the country.

I would like Thompson to try and negotiate an IBF title shot, it will be interesting to see his new ranking position. I think its either that or Nelson II for him.

[dondada]

Anyone who seriously thinks this knockout was some kind of work reflecting tactical genius is seriously mistaken. Carl's plan in general may have been to bring Rothmann to him and wear him down but I think tactics had little to do with the actual, unbelievable KO blow.

I was calling for Richie Davies to stop it about two seconds before The Cat came up with the goods. Mr Davies told me himself straight after the bout he was "just about to step in" before the boxers released and Carl delivered the shot.

Richie felt fantastic afterwards and Carl thanked him for not stopping it. Refs walk a very fine line...I'm sure Richie would have been given some right stick (justifiably?!) if Rothmann had landed that elephant tranquiliser of a punch!

[Vic Mackey]

Anyone have the full fight?

[jamesmcdonnell]

What I don't want to see, is Carl put in there with a fast handed puncher. Someone like Haye, although inexperienced, could probably put one hell of a beating on Carl. I'm not saying Carl couldn't win, he could if it went on long enough, but he'd probably have to take a pounding again.

Either a rematch with Nelson, a soft defence, or retirement.

Well, this comment aged badly!

[1143850]

Anyone have the full fight?

Only round four onwards.

[Deserter]

What I don't want to see, is Carl put in there with a fast handed puncher. Someone like Haye, although inexperienced, could probably put one hell of a beating on Carl. I'm not saying Carl couldn't win, he could if it went on long enough, but he'd probably have to take a pounding again.

Either a rematch with Nelson, a soft defence, or retirement.

Well, this comment aged badly!

Glad you dug it out though James as it was great to re-read the thread and it also made me go and check Carl's record again - had forgotten he finished on a winning streak, which made me happy (remembered the Haye victory but not what happened after that).

[skanksta]

What I don't want to see, is Carl put in there with a fast handed puncher. Someone like Haye, although inexperienced, could probably put one hell of a beating on Carl. I'm not saying Carl couldn't win, he could if it went on long enough, but he'd probably have to take a pounding again.

Either a rematch with Nelson, a soft defence, or retirement.

Well, this comment aged badly!

tbf he DID take a pounding for rounds until an overconfident, under-trained Haye blew a gasket.
Haye completely re-invented himself after that loss too - said it showed him talent wasn't enough.

[rhino222]

loved seeing that again..

Carl Thompson is one of the nicest guys to ever 'lace em up' and i dont think there has ever been a Brit with a better 'never say die' attitude.

Thompson retired at the end of a 6 fight winning streak which included a TKO of David Haye. But the timing was right, CAT was becoming too brave for his own health at the end of his career.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Anyone have the full fight?

Only round four onwards.

What a frigging fight it was!

[jamesmcdonnell]

What I don't want to see, is Carl put in there with a fast handed puncher. Someone like Haye, although inexperienced, could probably put one hell of a beating on Carl. I'm not saying Carl couldn't win, he could if it went on long enough, but he'd probably have to take a pounding again.

Either a rematch with Nelson, a soft defence, or retirement.

Well, this comment aged badly!

tbf he DID take a pounding for rounds until an overconfident, under-trained Haye blew a gasket.
Haye completely re-invented himself after that loss too - said it showed him talent wasn't enough.

Actually, looking at my comment again, I actually nailed it - I said he could win if he lasted long enough, which is precisely what happened. He did indeed take a shelling in that fight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Anyone have the full fight?

Only round four onwards.

What a frigging fight it was!

You have to wonder, did Thompson outfox him there at the end, because she shot that made him stagger back really was a nothing shot, Thompson was tired as hell by them, and maybe it was a last shake of the dice as he figured he could

I can still remember the atmosphere when Carl won, everyone including judges, and pundits leapt out of their seats, and everybody was screaming at the top of their lungs.

Definitely up there with my best nights of boxing that I covered over the years, a great fight and a truly electric frinish.

[Vic Mackey]

Anyone have the full fight?

Only round four onwards.

What a frigging fight it was!

Ive seen that would love to see the entire fight.

Cant find it anywhere.

[Lenny Cravats]

loved seeing that again..

Carl Thompson is one of the nicest guys to ever 'lace em up' and i dont think there has ever been a Brit with a better 'never say die' attitude.

Thompson retired at the end of a 6 fight winning streak which included a TKO of David Haye. But the timing was right, CAT was becoming too brave for his own health at the end of his career.

His last fight was a pretty dreadful watch.

[Controversial]

His interview with Tris Dixon is worth a listen, he admits to being 2 years older as he lied about his age when he turned pro, so he was 42 when he beat Haye.

[jamesmcdonnell]

My word, that really is incredible if true.

I mean he must have trained like a beast in the gym to be so well conditioned at that age.

[handsofstone]

Well, this comment aged badly!

tbf he DID take a pounding for rounds until an overconfident, under-trained Haye blew a gasket.
Haye completely re-invented himself after that loss too - said it showed him talent wasn't enough.

Actually, looking at my comment again, I actually nailed it - I said he could win if he lasted long enough, which is precisely what happened. He did indeed take a shelling in that fight.

I was just about to quote your previous post, looked bang on to me

[chinarich]

This was a good watch, there are four parts as I recall…

[polecateddy]

loved seeing that again..

Carl Thompson is one of the nicest guys to ever 'lace em up' and i dont think there has ever been a Brit with a better 'never say die' attitude.

Thompson retired at the end of a 6 fight winning streak which included a TKO of David Haye. But the timing was right, CAT was becoming too brave for his own health at the end of his career.

His last fight was a pretty dreadful watch.

Knees had gone so he couldn’t do roadwork for that last slog.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Anyone who seriously thinks this knockout was some kind of work reflecting tactical genius is seriously mistaken. Carl's plan in general may have been to bring Rothmann to him and wear him down but I think tactics had little to do with the actual, unbelievable KO blow.

I was calling for Richie Davies to stop it about two seconds before The Cat came up with the goods. Mr Davies told me himself straight after the bout he was "just about to step in" before the boxers released and Carl delivered the shot.

Richie felt fantastic afterwards and Carl thanked him for not stopping it. Refs walk a very fine line...I'm sure Richie would have been given some right stick (justifiably?!) if Rothmann had landed that elephant tranquiliser of a punch!

I think having watched it again, Carl had a last roll of the dice by retreating to the ropes to lure Rothmann in - the shot that sent him backward had nothing on it at all - and Carl had been known to play possum in the past, and in fact did the same thing to Haye after Haye blew himself out.

Carl took a lot of shots in that fight, in some instances 4-5 jabs in a row, followed by a right hand - he showed remarkable bravery and persistence to hang in there, and that right hand was a thing of beauty.

Probably my favourite ever turn around fight, a night of magic and was honoured to have been there.

[THEBUTCH]

Never tire of seeing that fight....an out & out classic

Carl had an amazing catalogue of exciting fights during his career (win or lose)....just another day at work for the The Cat

[funso banjo baby]

I'd forgotten about this gem

A must watch if you haven't seen

Also, it's worth mentioning this fight (and many other belters) were broadcast by the BBC as a direct result of Audley Harrison's original ten-fight deal which encouraged the BBC to take a brief interest in boxing again.

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Great fight and the commentary is top notch too.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think this is my favourite non world title featuring a brit after Michael Ayers v Wayne Rigby. If you've not seen that, dig it out. Truly special fight.