Adrian Carl Thompson (born 26 May 1964) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2005. He held multiple championships at cruiserweight, including the WBO title between 1997 and 1999, and the IBO title twice between 2001 and 2005. Additionally, he held the British title in 1992 and 1999, and the European title in 1994 and 2000. He is also a former Muay Thai fighter, who fought in 1987 and 1989 for World Titles.

Professional career Early years Nicknamed "The Cat", Thompson turned professional boxer in 1988. He went 8–0 before losing to Crawford Ashley by TKO in round 6 for the British Central Area light heavyweight title after taking a thumb to the eye. In 1990 he was outpointed by Franco Wanyama, and in 1991 he was KOd by Yawe Davis. However, his punching power in his right hand brought him to contention, stopping the undefeated Nicky Piper in three rounds.

Thompson won the vacant British cruiserweight title by beating Steve Lewsam in eight rounds in June 1992, then in his next fight won the WBC International title in two rounds against Arthur 'Stormy' Weathers at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London in February 1993.

In February 1994, Thompson traveled to Ferrara, Emilia Romagna, Italy and won the European title by defeating Massimiliano Duran by KO in eight rounds, and in his next bout knocked out France's Akim Tafer in six rounds at Epernay, Marne, France to retain his European title.

After winning two mark-time fights, Thompson was matched against Ralf Rocchigiani in a bout for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title at the G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester in June 1995. Both fighters were knocked down in round five, and Thompson lost during round eleven after dislocating his shoulder.

WBO cruiserweight champion After returning with three wins, Thompson won the WBO cruiserweight title via decision over Ralf Rocchigiani in a rematch in Stadionsporthalle, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany in October 1997. He defended the belt twice, beating the smaller Chris Eubank in 1998 before losing it via a controversial referee stoppage to Johnny Nelson in 1999.

Thompson regained the vacant British title with a twelfth round knockout of Terry Dunstan in December 1999, then regained the vacant European title with a sixth round stoppage of Alain Simon.

Thompson's winning streak ended in a fourth round knockout defeat to Ezra Sellers in 2001.

Thompson vs. Rothman After three low-key wins, Thompson met South African, Sebastian Rothman. Thompson had been on the end of beating for most of the bout. The BBC commentators on the night, Jim Neilly and Colin McMillan, were calling for Carl's retirement, saying he was finished, taking the beating needlessly, and that the fight should have been stopped.

Rothman forced Thompson on to the ropes during the ninth round and the referee looked at Thompson ready to stop the fight. Somehow Thompson got away from the ropes and forced Rothman into the middle of the ring. With 17 seconds remaining in the round, Rothman dropped his left hand for what seemed like a fraction of a second, allowing Carl to deliver a flush right hand to the South African's head knocking him to the canvas.

Rothman bravely tried to get back on his feet but his legs had gone and the referee had no option but to stop the fight, handing Thompson a famous victory.Thompson produces one punch to capture title, 9 February 2004, The Independent. Retrieved 8 November 2009.The Soldier looks to give Bell hell, 26 August 2005, The Sweet Science . Retrieved 8 November 2009.

Thompson vs. Haye In September 2004 at 40 years of age, Thompson boxed the up-and-coming 23 year old David Haye in a classic 'youth vs experience' matchup. Haye started fast and caught Thompson with constant barrages of power punches, coming close to forcing a stoppage at numerous points over the first few rounds.

Gradually, despite the early punishment he received, Thompson warmed up and worked his way into the fight whilst Haye seemed to tire and slow down. Thompson began to pressure Haye and knocked Haye down with a chopping right hand in round five. With seven seconds left in the round, Thompson landed two jabs followed by a flush right hand which rocked a fatigued Haye, and compelled Haye's corner to throw in the towel.

Thompson retired at the end of 2005 after a points win over Frederic Serrat.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes40Win34–6Frédéric SerratPTS1026 Nov 200539Win33–6David HayeTKO5 (12), 10 Sep 200438Win32–6Sebastiaan RothmannTKO9 (12), 6 Feb 200437Win31–6Paul BonsonPTS67 Nov 200336Win30–6Hastings RasaniKO1 (6), 5 Sep 200335Win29–6Phil DayKO4 (6), 10 Jun 200334Loss28–6Ezra SellersKO4 (12), 26 Nov 200133Win28–5Uriah GrantTKO5 (12), 3 Feb 200132Win27–5Alexey IlyinTKO2 (12)25 Sep 200031Win26–5Alain SimonTKO6 (12), 13 May 200030Win25–5Terry DunstanKO12 (12), 3 Dec 199929Loss24–5Johnny NelsonTKO5 (12), 27 Mar 199928Win24–4Chris Eubank9 (12), 18 Jul 199827Win23–4Chris Eubank1218 Apr 199826Win22–4Ralf Rocchigiani124 Oct 199725Win21–4Keith McMurrayTKO4 (8)26 Apr 199724Win20–4Jason NicholsonPTS89 Nov 199623Win19–4Albert CallTKO5 (8)13 Apr 199622Loss18–4Ralf RocchigianiTKO11 (12), 10 Jun 199521Win18–3Tim KnightKO5 (8)13 Oct 199420Win17–3Dionisio Lazario NascimentoTKO1 (6), 10 Sep 199419Win16–3Akim TaferTKO6 (12)14 Jun 199418Win15–3Massimiliano DuranKO8 (12)2 Feb 199417Win14–3Willie JakeKO3 (8)25 Jul 199316Win13–3Steve HarveyKO1 (8)31 Mar 199315Win12–3Arthur WeathersKO2 (12)17 Feb 199314Win11–3Steve LewsamTKO8 (12)4 Jun 199213Win10–3Nicky PiperTKO3 (8)4 Sep 199112Loss9–3Yawe DavisTKO2 (8)1 Apr 199111Win9–2Terry DixonPTS87 Mar 199110Loss8–2Franco WanyamaPTS621 Apr 19909Loss8–1Crawford AshleyTKO6 (10)31 Oct 19898Win8–0Peter BrownKO5 (8)11 Jul 19897Win7–0Steve OsbornePTS812 Jun 19896Win6–0Tenko Ernie4 (6)4 May 19895Win5–0Keith HalliwellTKO1 (6), 4 Apr 19894Win4–0Sean O'PhoenixTKO4 (6)7 Mar 19893Win3–0Steve OsbornePTS613 Feb 19892Win2–0Paul Sheldon611 Oct 19881Win1–0Darren McKenna2 (6)6 Jun 1988

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