BoxRec

IBO cruiserweight champ, Sebastian Rothmann, who defends his title on February 6 in Sheffield against Manchester's hard-hitting but aging Carl Thompson, is already looking past that date to Carnival City in his native South Africa on April 18.
On a joint Rodney Berman-Don King promotion, WBC cruiserweight champ Wayne Braithwaite defends against hard-hitting O'Neil Bell, with three South Africans on the undercard. Phillip Ndou will face-off in a world lightweight title eliminator with Stevie Forbes, and Cassius Baloyi defends his IBO super-featherweight belt against experienced Argentinian Juan Cabrera, the man who took Michael Brodie 12 rounds last year. The fourth slot will be filled by Rothmann in another defence of his IBO title against an opponent still to be arranged.
"If Sebastian wins, he will eventually fight for the WBC or WBA title," says Berman.
"That's the benefit of the King connection."
Get the feeling they're taking Thompson for granted....

bennie wrote:IBO cruiserweight champ, Sebastian Rothmann, who defends his title on February 6 in Sheffield against Manchester's hard-hitting but aging Carl Thompson, is already looking past that date to Carnival City in his native South Africa on April 18.
On a joint Rodney Berman-Don King promotion, WBC cruiserweight champ Wayne Braithwaite defends against hard-hitting O'Neil Bell, with three South Africans on the undercard. Phillip Ndou will face-off in a world lightweight title eliminator with Stevie Forbes, and Cassius Baloyi defends his IBO super-featherweight belt against experienced Argentinian Juan Cabrera, the man who took Michael Brodie 12 rounds last year. The fourth slot will be filled by Rothmann in another defence of his IBO title against an opponent still to be arranged.
"If Sebastian wins, he will eventually fight for the WBC or WBA title," says Berman.
"That's the benefit of the King connection."
Get the feeling they're taking Thompson for granted....

On Thompson's last showing its hard not to take this fight for granted. I hope he proves me wrong, and I'm glad he's taking the chance. He did the IBO belt a great service when he captured their title and is worthy of another shot (cause he's still winning), but he looked old last time.

Rothman was due to face Mormeck last year, but the whole event was pulled I'd like to see that match. Also, don't count out Virgil Hill even at this late stage in his career, there is still a bounce in his step and was impressive against Lanlonde, who according to ALL reports gave James Toney problems when preparing for Jirov.

Yeah it looks like "the cats" puch resistance is on the wane bigtime..,hope im wrong.

This fight will be easy for Rothmann IMO, Thompson was always chinny in his prime days but now at 40 or whatever he is he has a good chance of Rothmann stopping him, which i think he will within 4 rounds.

As much as i despise Don King i must admit he puts on some good shows, his massive bill in December was awesome and now this South African card on April 18th looks great too. Braithwaite-Bell, Baloyi-Cabrera and N'dou-Forbes and then probably Rothmann too, as well as a customary huge undercard. You have to hand it to old Don just lately.

Its a shame because Carl is a great guy and was a good fighter.

But I feel Rothmann is going to do a number on him.

On that note, Uriah Grant, the grizzled Jamaican who Carl stopped for the IBO cruiserweight title a couple of years ago, has retired. The Miami resident retired after his knockout loss to heavyweight Eliecer Castillo on Saturday night.
''Uriah has been one of those guys who has been a credit to the sport,'' said Florida Boxing director Chris Meffert.
Long before Grant was an opponent to title hopefuls like Castillo, he was one of the best fighters in his weight class. Six years ago, Grant beat Adolpho Washington to capture the IBF cruiserweight title. He beat Tommy Hearns (injury) to win his IBO title in 2001.

For me Thompson is still every bit the fighter he ever was in terms foot/hand speed and general movement around the ring. His motivation appears not to have dwindled and he's sounded very confident of late. Questionable chin or not he's surely got to do better than Crawford Ashley wouldn't you think?

I'm not expecting Carl to beat Rothmann but it's no walk over. The S.African is no James Toney.

Go to do better than Crawford? I don't think he will, I believe Ashley would have beaten Thompson. Both were world class, but unfortunately Crawford was at a weight with tremedous quality competition, Thompson beat Ralf Rochigiani, quite possibly the worst world champion of all time (although recent WBA Light Middleweight champion Garcia is up there in that list).

Not taking away anything from Thompson, but just because Ashley never wore a world championship belt, it doesn't mean to say he wasn't as good as Thompson.

stujones wrote:Go to do better than Crawford? I don't think he will, I believe Ashley would have beaten Thompson. Both were world class, but unfortunately Crawford was at a weight with tremedous quality competition, Thompson beat Ralf Rochigiani, quite possibly the worst world champion of all time (although recent WBA Light Middleweight champion Garcia is up there in that list).

Not taking away anything from Thompson, but just because Ashley never wore a world championship belt, it doesn't mean to say he wasn't as good as Thompson.

You're right. Ashley would have beaten him. He stopped him in six rounds in 1989.

bennie wrote:

stujones wrote:Go to do better than Crawford? I don't think he will, I believe Ashley would have beaten Thompson. Both were world class, but unfortunately Crawford was at a weight with tremedous quality competition, Thompson beat Ralf Rochigiani, quite possibly the worst world champion of all time (although recent WBA Light Middleweight champion Garcia is up there in that list).

Not taking away anything from Thompson, but just because Ashley never wore a world championship belt, it doesn't mean to say he wasn't as good as Thompson.

You're right. Ashley would have beaten him. He stopped him in six rounds in 1989.

Ashley was arguably more shot than Thompson is now when he faced Rothmann....

At their peaks it would have been a great contest. Thompson was a bit green in their fight!!!

I'm well aware of the result of Thompson v Ashley but we're talking what 15 years ago? The Ashley that turned up for Rothmann was absolutely on his last legs. Thompson on the other hand is still fresh enough to make a decent fight of it.

Disagree with you there Kilburn, Ashley went in his chin more so than his offensive ability, legs etc. Very similar to Thompson.

stujones wrote:Disagree with you there Kilburn, Ashley went in his chin more so than his offensive ability, legs etc. Very similar to Thompson.

i disagree. my personal feeling with the ashley fight was that it was one last payday in this one i think Thompson wants it and has more in the tank.

they are both however well past their best and either would have battered Rothmann in their prime!!!

Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

Kilburn wrote:Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

On another note all this talk about how good Ashley was (which I agree with) makes you wonder just how great fighters like Michael Nunn, James Toney(is), Mike McCallum were, when you consider the way Nunn disposed of Ashley.

If my memory serves me correctly he crucified him with body shots?

Am I correct or thinking about another fight?

knockout artist wrote:

Kilburn wrote:Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

On another note all this talk about how good Ashley was (which I agree with) makes you wonder just how great fighters like Michael Nunn, James Toney(is), Mike McCallum were, when you consider the way Nunn disposed of Ashley.

If my memory serves me correctly he crucified him with body shots?

Am I correct or thinking about another fight?

McCallum destroyed Michael Watson with body shots.

The big fights which a prime Ashley lost were to Michael Nunn (lost 6th round KO), Dennis Andries (4th round KO), Virgil Hill (wide points defeat), Ole Klemesten (2nd round KO).

Other notables on his record include Gracino Rochigiani (very close points loss), Yawe Davis (draw), Nicky Piper (close points win), Johnny Nelson (points defeat), Siluvangi (unaminous points win), Clinton Woods (lost 8th round TKO) and Lee Swaby (unaminous decision victory).

His chin was his biggest weakness.

stujones wrote:

knockout artist wrote:

Kilburn wrote:Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

On another note all this talk about how good Ashley was (which I agree with) makes you wonder just how great fighters like Michael Nunn, James Toney(is), Mike McCallum were, when you consider the way Nunn disposed of Ashley.

If my memory serves me correctly he crucified him with body shots?

Am I correct or thinking about another fight?

McCallum destroyed Michael Watson with body shots.

The big fights which a prime Ashley lost were to Michael Nunn (lost 6th round KO), Dennis Andries (4th round KO), Virgil Hill (wide points defeat), Ole Klemesten (2nd round KO).

Other notables on his record include Gracino Rochigiani (very close points loss), Yawe Davis (draw), Nicky Piper (close points win), Johnny Nelson (points defeat), Siluvangi (unaminous points win), Clinton Woods (lost 8th round TKO) and Lee Swaby (unaminous decision victory).

His chin was his biggest weakness.

But I'm almost certain that Nunn stopped Ashley with body shots.

Perhaps Bennie can clear this up for me?

knockout artist wrote:

Kilburn wrote:Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

On another note all this talk about how good Ashley was (which I agree with) makes you wonder just how great fighters like Michael Nunn, James Toney(is), Mike McCallum were, when you consider the way Nunn disposed of Ashley.

If my memory serves me correctly he crucified him with body shots?

Am I correct or thinking about another fight?

No, I recall the fight. Nunn did look very good. Ashley was a dangerman, but too erratic. I once saw Ole Klemetsen spark him out when Crawdford was on the verge of another world title shot.

I am sorry but i don't know which Carl Thompson some people are seeing of late but he looks more fragile than he did in his prime and i cannot see him getting past the fourth against Rothmann.

knockout artist wrote:

Kilburn wrote:Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

On another note all this talk about how good Ashley was (which I agree with) makes you wonder just how great fighters like Michael Nunn, James Toney(is), Mike McCallum were, when you consider the way Nunn disposed of Ashley.

If my memory serves me correctly he crucified him with body shots?

Am I correct or thinking about another fight?

Yeah thats right Nunn did stop Ashley with bodyshots in the 6th round, but Ashley fought a very good fight up to that point

In fact, if McCoy can remember correctly Nunn actually broke one of Ashley's ribs early in the fight, Crawford showed tremendous courage to go on & fight as well as he did under the circumstances

Rothman in 3. Thomspon needs to realise he's not what he was, and should focus on the domestic scene.

The REAL McCoy wrote:

knockout artist wrote:

Kilburn wrote:Ashley had virtually no offensive ability left with which to trouble Rothmann. He was a sitting duck with only his experience helping him last as long as he did.

Thompson on the other hand still looks just about as ready for a tear-up as he did 10 years ago.

On another note all this talk about how good Ashley was (which I agree with) makes you wonder just how great fighters like Michael Nunn, James Toney(is), Mike McCallum were, when you consider the way Nunn disposed of Ashley.

If my memory serves me correctly he crucified him with body shots?

Am I correct or thinking about another fight?

Yeah thats right Nunn did stop Ashley with bodyshots in the 6th round, but Ashley fought a very good fight up to that point

Ashley was at an artificially low weight for this fight - Super Middle, so was vulnerable to a body attack.

I can believe that Ashley suffered broken rib(s) as I remember the look of massive pain he had on his face when being dropped by body punches.

This was one of Nunn's more destructive performances, along with his shock KO of Kalumbay.
Got to say Nunn was never a favourite of mine and I was an instant James Toney fan when he went to Nunn's home town and ripped his Middleweight title away...

Look at the state ex-champ Nunn has got himself in now - caught in a sting trying to sell drugs in his home town of Davenport. Such a sad demise. What happened to his considerable ring earnings?

adamiw wrote:Rothman in 3. Thomspon needs to realise he's not what he was, and should focus on the domestic scene.

Ahh, but is he back for the glory of Boxing or for some final paydays? The Rothmann fight will pay him more than many domestic constests would....

steve689 wrote:

adamiw wrote:Rothman in 3. Thomspon needs to realise he's not what he was, and should focus on the domestic scene.

Ahh, but is he back for the glory of Boxing or for some final paydays? The Rothmann fight will pay him more than many domestic constests would....

well that's sad then.