“I’m a fighter, and I’ll fight anyone, anywhere” – Mark Thom
Posted: 21 Sep 2007, 07:48
“I’m a fighter, and I’ll fight anyone, anywhere” – Mark Thompson
Whilst some fighters tread water and build up “impressive” unbeaten records, others, such as Manchester Welterweight Mark Thompson, prefer to do things the old fashioned way. Coming off a career first defeat to world ranked South African light middleweight Vincent Vuma, Mark took some time out from training to have a chat about his upcoming season, and the frantic finale to his last.
Following the mandatory pleasantries Mark took a seat on the ring apron at Olivers gym. His workout had included four fairly intensive rounds on the pads with his trainer, Humphrey Harrison. During a session I’d recorded for the VIP Boxing web site, the pair had been working on combinations in close, and out of the clinch. The ferocity of Mark’s power, and the intensity of the rounds, was frightening upon watching the tape back later that evening. Something I’m told is par for the course when Mark trains.
I was fully aware that my first question to Mark was one he’d undoubtedly been asked on multiple occasions since his only professional defeat back in July. It was simple, you can wrap a fighter in cotton wool and amass a pretty 25-0 record, but the real acid test is how a fighter responds to that first defeat.
“I’ve gained so much experience from that one fight its unreal. The African is ranked 16th at light middleweight (Mark campaigns at Welterweight) with the WBC. I had six days notice. That resulted in me weighing 10st 10lbs whilst eating a banana on the scales. Vuma on the other hand was bang on the 154lb limit, he weighed just over a stone heavier than me come the first bell. But hey, I’m a paid fighter and that’s what I’ll do”
I decided to press Mark for further details on the experience he gained from the fight. Many fighters would buckle, swerve the question, and talk of their next fight, or their previous win. But as up front as his fighting style can at times be, Mark pressed on.
“I’d never been down as an amateur or professional. If I would’ve stayed down in the fourth, I think I’d be thinking a little differently now. But I didn’t. I got up and in the very next round put him on the seat of his pants. I think that answered some questions, not only for the paying fight fans, but for me too. Okay, I lost the fight in the 8th, but how many British prospects have that kind of experience in their twelfth fight? I learnt more from that defeat than I would’ve beating ten knockover jobs”
Mark had not only gained experience from the Vuma contest, he’d also gained valuable exposure.
“It was my first time on Sky, headlining the show was a real honour. Every other time I was due to feature (on Sky) the main bout, and supporting bout had gone the distance, so mine would be missed off the televised bill. I just can’t wait to get on again now”
Mark wont have long to wait. He is pencilled in to fight Scotish Welterweight Kevin Mcintyre, in what will be a British Welterweight title eliminator, on the undercard of Jamie Moore’s second bout with Andrew Facey in October.
“I’m fighting a Dutch kid, Ronnie Daniels, at Robin Park on September 22nd. If all goes well I should be chief support to Moorseys (Jamie Moore) next title defence. It’ll be a British title eliminator against Kev Mcintyre, he recently out pointed Tony Docherty, so I know it’ll be a tough one”
My mind took a second to process the information, and then the name clicked into place, Kevin Anderson. For a twelve fight novice the prospect of fighting ‘Ando’ for the British title within six months must be daunting.
“Anderson’s the champ, and I’ve got a big fight I can’t afford to look past with McIntyre coming up. Should I win the eliminator of course I’d jump at the chance to fight Anderson. I’d fight him in Manchester, or I’d fight him in front of his fans in Scotland. When it comes to the crunch there’s just the two of us in the ring. I’m a fighter, and I’ll fight anyone, anywhere. If that’s Kevin Anderson, for the British title, all the better”
Mark Thompson takes on Ronnie Daniels on this Saturday’s (September 22nd) VIP show at Robin park, Wigan. Tickets can be purchased through the fighters, or on the door. Doors open at 18:30, with the evenings boxing to commence at 19:30. Also on the card are Alex Matvienko, Brian Rose, Mark Moran, Stuart McFadgen & Martin Murray. For full details on this show, and future shows, please visit the news section at http://www.vipboxing.com
Whilst some fighters tread water and build up “impressive” unbeaten records, others, such as Manchester Welterweight Mark Thompson, prefer to do things the old fashioned way. Coming off a career first defeat to world ranked South African light middleweight Vincent Vuma, Mark took some time out from training to have a chat about his upcoming season, and the frantic finale to his last.
Following the mandatory pleasantries Mark took a seat on the ring apron at Olivers gym. His workout had included four fairly intensive rounds on the pads with his trainer, Humphrey Harrison. During a session I’d recorded for the VIP Boxing web site, the pair had been working on combinations in close, and out of the clinch. The ferocity of Mark’s power, and the intensity of the rounds, was frightening upon watching the tape back later that evening. Something I’m told is par for the course when Mark trains.
I was fully aware that my first question to Mark was one he’d undoubtedly been asked on multiple occasions since his only professional defeat back in July. It was simple, you can wrap a fighter in cotton wool and amass a pretty 25-0 record, but the real acid test is how a fighter responds to that first defeat.
“I’ve gained so much experience from that one fight its unreal. The African is ranked 16th at light middleweight (Mark campaigns at Welterweight) with the WBC. I had six days notice. That resulted in me weighing 10st 10lbs whilst eating a banana on the scales. Vuma on the other hand was bang on the 154lb limit, he weighed just over a stone heavier than me come the first bell. But hey, I’m a paid fighter and that’s what I’ll do”
I decided to press Mark for further details on the experience he gained from the fight. Many fighters would buckle, swerve the question, and talk of their next fight, or their previous win. But as up front as his fighting style can at times be, Mark pressed on.
“I’d never been down as an amateur or professional. If I would’ve stayed down in the fourth, I think I’d be thinking a little differently now. But I didn’t. I got up and in the very next round put him on the seat of his pants. I think that answered some questions, not only for the paying fight fans, but for me too. Okay, I lost the fight in the 8th, but how many British prospects have that kind of experience in their twelfth fight? I learnt more from that defeat than I would’ve beating ten knockover jobs”
Mark had not only gained experience from the Vuma contest, he’d also gained valuable exposure.
“It was my first time on Sky, headlining the show was a real honour. Every other time I was due to feature (on Sky) the main bout, and supporting bout had gone the distance, so mine would be missed off the televised bill. I just can’t wait to get on again now”
Mark wont have long to wait. He is pencilled in to fight Scotish Welterweight Kevin Mcintyre, in what will be a British Welterweight title eliminator, on the undercard of Jamie Moore’s second bout with Andrew Facey in October.
“I’m fighting a Dutch kid, Ronnie Daniels, at Robin Park on September 22nd. If all goes well I should be chief support to Moorseys (Jamie Moore) next title defence. It’ll be a British title eliminator against Kev Mcintyre, he recently out pointed Tony Docherty, so I know it’ll be a tough one”
My mind took a second to process the information, and then the name clicked into place, Kevin Anderson. For a twelve fight novice the prospect of fighting ‘Ando’ for the British title within six months must be daunting.
“Anderson’s the champ, and I’ve got a big fight I can’t afford to look past with McIntyre coming up. Should I win the eliminator of course I’d jump at the chance to fight Anderson. I’d fight him in Manchester, or I’d fight him in front of his fans in Scotland. When it comes to the crunch there’s just the two of us in the ring. I’m a fighter, and I’ll fight anyone, anywhere. If that’s Kevin Anderson, for the British title, all the better”
Mark Thompson takes on Ronnie Daniels on this Saturday’s (September 22nd) VIP show at Robin park, Wigan. Tickets can be purchased through the fighters, or on the door. Doors open at 18:30, with the evenings boxing to commence at 19:30. Also on the card are Alex Matvienko, Brian Rose, Mark Moran, Stuart McFadgen & Martin Murray. For full details on this show, and future shows, please visit the news section at http://www.vipboxing.com
