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Carl Thompson retires!!
Former WBO and IBO cruiserweight champion Carl Thompson has officially retired, finally choosing to bring the curtain down on his illustrious 18-year career. The 41-year-old, one of British Boxing’s most exciting prizefighters ever, has become increasingly disillusioned by the lack of lucrative paydays on offer in the cruiserweight division.
“I was nominated to fight Mark Hobson but without wishing to sound disrespectful I didn’t want to drop back down to British title level for the money that is on offer there. Nor was I willing to fight Lee Swaby either,” explained Thompson, who was ranked no.10 by the IBF.
The Bolton bomber has been in talks however about the possibility of a rematch with current European ruler David Haye, the former amateur star Thompson schooled in five rounds in September 2004.
“They approached me and made an offer but it wasn’t acceptable,” said Thompson. “I’ve been doing this for 18-years and I’ve dedicated my life to Boxing but I don’t do it for the fun of it. If the money’s not there I’m not going to put myself through it anymore.”
Thompson finishes with an impressive 34-6 (25) slate, containing a catalogue of memorable up-and-down slugfests, and insists that his lacklustre points win over Frenchman Frederic Serrat in November last time out had no bearing on his final decision.
“It played no part at all. You have to remember that I’d been out of the ring for 14 months and was recovering from an injury. I’m retiring because the financial incentives just aren’t there. I was hoping to secure a final eliminator for the IBF title but even then it might be two years before I’d get a shot at the world title. In Boxing there are no assurances and unfortunately time has run out for me,” he admitted.
Despite his obvious disappointment “The Cat” recalled fondly some of his greatest moments in his rollercoaster career. “Stopping Akim Tafer to retain my European title (in six rounds in 1994) was one of my most satisfying wins because I was getting my butt kicked in that fight. After I’d won I remember shouting out for joy in the ring afterwards. And beating Ralf Rocchigiani in Germany to win the world title (the WBO’s version in 1997) meant a lot especially given I had to retire in the first fight after dislocating my shoulder (Thompson was in a commanding lead on all three judges’ scorecards when forced to pull out in round 11).”
Thompson followed this up with back-to-back victories over Chris Eubank (UD 12, TKO10) but it was the eccentric showman Eubank who captured the hearts of the British public during their two breathtaking battles.
“I didn’t get the credit I deserved for those wins,” bemoaned Thompson. “The critics said that had Chris been younger he would probably have beaten me but they forget that I was older than him when we fought! (Eubank was 32, Thompson 34). Had I been a bit younger I think I would have stopped Chris sooner.”
But Thompson was quick to praise Eubank, too.
“Chris was an entertainer, a real showman. There aren’t many entertainers around these days and Boxing is duller as a result.”
Aside from spending time with his family, Thompson has no immediate plans now that he has hung up his gloves except for making a point of thanking those who have helped him in his career.
“There are so many people that I am going to have to ring and thank. Maurice (Core), Ensley (Bingham), Dennis (Hobson) and Fight Academy for giving me another opportunity when people no longer believed in me. And I must also thank my wife for supporting me and putting up with me!”
The humble Thompson will be remembered as a throwback warrior who made the very best of his abilities and for a never-say-die attitude that allowed him to snatch some unlikely victories from the very brink of defeat. Thompson’s decision to retire is not before time. He finishes with a win but more importantly with his reputation and health intact. Thanks for the memories, Carl.
Great warrier has been in some great fights down the years, the two eubank fights and the fight with Sellers sticks out, but he is a great guy and i wish him all the best in retirement.
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Originally Posted by Britkid
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