Willie Thompson returns

5 October 2010 – Steve Wellings

Ballyclare boxer Willie Thompson will put a 17-month spell of inactivity behind him on Sunday October 10 when he meets Ashley Theophane in a six-rounder at the famous York Hall venue in Bethnal Green. The welterweight, who boasts a 6-1-1 record, has signed with Scottish promoter Paul Graham (a former BBBofC referee) and now expects the fights to flow, with a second bout already penciled in for November 19.

Not that Willie is overlooking, or indeed concerned about, the tough test that lies ahead in the form of Theophane, who has been enjoying a purple patch over in America.

No Im not worried by Theophane but I wasnt worried about Michael Jennings and I dont think hes in the same class as Jennings, confirmed Thompson. Im confident of going in there and sticking to my gameplan for the six rounds.

Now 30 years old, Willie cannot afford to hang around for too much longer and is keen to get back into the sort of form that saw him reel off six straight wins after turning pro in June 2007. A draw with Karl Chiverton and then the loss to Jennings stunted his progress, but Willies absence was not without good reason.

I lost my father and havent had a good year, losing time out of the ring but Im settled now and ready to start working again, he revealed. I can hopefully start with an Irish title over here but Im targeting a shot at the British title and with a couple of good wins behind me I can get back on track again.

John [Breen] is coming over on Sunday and Ive been getting great work in the gym, sparring with the likes of Neil Sinclair, Joe Rea, Paul McCloskey and Stephen Haughian, all the top names that John has. Im feeling fresh and ready to go.

Theophane, who holds wins over DeMarcus Corley and Delvin Rodriguez, has been predicting via a Hoodstripes press release that the fight will be a real tear-up. Thompson says that this will suit him and its these type of fights that made him sign with his new promoter.

My new promoter Paul Graham got the fight for me and I had communicated with Paul on the internet before he came over to John Breens gym to watch me spar and asked if I would be interested in signing with him. I had been in training for four weeks and got a bad cut on my eye and then another week I suffered a bruised arm so I had to contend with that during preparations.