On paper, Tony “The Tiger” Thompson may appear old for a boxer. But don’t judge this boxer by his birth certificate! “Boxing matches aren’t contested on paper, they are fought inside a ring,” warns the 38-year old Silver Spring, Maryland-born, Washington, DC native, who takes on Jamaican veteran and former world title challenger Owen Beck (29-4, 20 KOs) in the April 16th, scheduled 10-round heavyweight main event of an ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” telecast from the Omni New Daisy Theater in Memphis, Tennessee..
Thompson started his pro boxing career at age 28, a time when most successful fighters are in their prime. Co-managed by former NBA All-Star, Steve Francis and Nate Peake, and trained by Tom Browner and Barry Hunter, Thompson won 27 straight bouts following his first loss in his fifth pro fight, primarily utilizing an awkward but effective southpaw style which featured knockout power in both hands with an almost impenetrable defense.
The lanky 6-5, 250-pounder’s last opponent 26-1 Chazz Witherspoon 10 years his junior, learned that lesson the hard way, as Thompson put on a boxing clinic before stopping him in the ninth round in Atlantic City, New Jersey back in December with a barrage of power punches.
And now thanks to an ankle injury suffered in training by originally-scheduled foe Jason Estrada — it’s the 33-year old Beck’s turn, as Thompson (33-2, 21 KOs), who lost via 11th round stoppage to Heavyweight World Champion Wladimir Klitschko back in July, 2008, has his “Eyes of the Tiger” focused on the next obstacle in his way toward a second World Heavyweight title shot.
“I am hungrier than before because I’m so much more experienced, both in and out of the ring,” Thompson said. “I need to get this win on ESPN, and then put my focus on getting one last opportunity to become World Champion. I’m big enough, good enough and most importantly, smart enough now to do it this time.””
“Tony is coming off a dominating win over a solid World Contender in Chazz Witherspoon and with Beck he brings KO power and experience against Tony,” Tom Brown, matchmaker for Thompson’s promoter, Goossen Tutor Promotions, said, noting that Beck was stopped by then-WBA Champion Nicolay Valuev in a June, 2006 WBA Heavyweight Title fight.
Typical of Tony’s mindset, he doesn’t care who he is fighting. He’ll fight anyone and as he’s shown, anywhere. A good win over Beck on ESPN2 and Tony will be the beneficiary of great exposure in a great fight town.”
Thompson, whose other big wins came against the likes of once-beaten Timur Ibragimov in a WBC Continental Americas Title defense and Luan Krasniqi in a WBO Heavyweight Eliminator, feels that his combination of size, power and experience puts him in a class by himself of heavyweight title contenders.
“I may be 38, but I haven’t taken the punishment of a 28-year old much less a 38-year old,” Thompson pointed out. “I have a much younger body than others my age. Truth be told, I am the only big man that has a shot of beating the Klitschkos. I learned a lot from my first experience against Wladimir, and I know I am capable of beating him or his brother. Hopefully, everyone watching on ESPN2 on the 16th will feel the same way after I take care of Owen Beck.”
Integrated Sports Media Distributing May 29 “Undefeated Champions” PPV
3 World Title Fights in Puerto Rico – Vazquez, Jr.-Bedak, Martinez-Mungia, Gabriel-Pena
HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 13, 2010) – Integrated Sports Media, North America’s undisputed champion of major pay-per-view boxing distribution, announced today that it’ll be involved in the May 29th “Unbeaten Champions,” featuring three world title fights live from Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
The 12-round main event features the first title defense of local favorite, WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr. (18-0-1, 15 KOs), against No. 1 contender Zsolt “Mr. Lefthook” Bedak (14-0-1, 12 KOs).
Another local star, WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (23-0-1, 14 KOs), defends his belt against Gonzalo “El Destructor” Mungia (17-6-3, 13 KOs), currently rated No. 10 by the WBO and the reigning WBO Latino title holder, in the 12-round co-feature.
The third world title fight on this exciting card matches females Hanna Gabriel (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and Gardy Pena (9-1-2, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO super welterweight crown in a 10-round bout. Fighting on the undercard are the Arroyo twins, bantamweight McJoe (1-0, 1 KO) and McWilliams (1-0, 1 KO), the former Puerto Rican Olympians. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
“Undefeated Champions,” presented by PR Best Boxing in association with Al Star Boxing, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.
“We’re excited to be working once again with PR Best Boxing and All Star Boxing,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “We distributed Vazquez’ great title-winning fight (Feb. 27) against (Marvin) Sonsona. Integrated Sports has also distributed two pay-per-view shows featuring Rocky Martinez, as well as the pro debuts of the Arroyos on the Vazquez-Sonsona card Topping it all off with a women’s world title fight between Gabriel and Pena makes for a sensational night of boxing for fans watching in the United States.”
Phil Williams Prepares for Minnesota Super Middleweight Title Fight
Minneapolis,MN- With the Super Six Boxing Classic underway Minnesota will get a taste of it’s own super middleweight action when fan favorite Phil Williams(11-3) battles Caleb Truax(14-0) for the state super middleweight belt April 23 at the St. Paul Armory.
Williams kicked off a six week camp recently to prepare for what he considers the most important fight of his career. Coming off of losses to Matt Vanda, and Donovan George Williams aims to redirect his career, while standing by his mission to fight the best.
“After losing to George I was throwing punches in my sleep, I’m a fighter, I can’t give this up. I can still do anything the rest of these guys can do, I feel good enough to fight until I’m 40” Williams noted on the opening day of camp.
Truax, an undefeated prospect, was bested by Williams in the amateur ranks, but has since compiled a flawless professional record including a WBF middleweight title win over Kerry Hope in November.
Truax-Williams will be a ten round affair with the Minnesota Super Middleweight title on the line. Tickets are available at ticketweb.com, and are 25$ general admission, and 75$ VIP.
With break neck power in either hand Phil Williams quickly became a fan favorite in Minnesota. Recording an impressive 80% knockout rate in his first ten bouts, Williams now aims to share the ring with the highest quality opposition available.
Training at the Uppercut Gym under Jacque Davis Williams holds impressive knockout wins over Marcus Upshaw, and Antwun Echols and brought Grand Casino Hinckley record attendance numbers during his bout with Matt Vanda in 2009.
For Phil Williams media access contact: Brett Mauren(publicist) 612-275-2885
For information on the “St. Paul Brawl” visit soboxing.com