Jeff Thomas (boxer): Difference between revisions
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|name=Jeff Thomas |
|name=Jeff Thomas |
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|realname='''Jeff Charles Thomas''' |
|realname='''Jeff Charles Thomas''' |
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|nickname= |
|nickname='Jazzy' Jeff<br>Jeffro<br>Horse Cock |
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|weight=[[Featherweight]] |
|weight=[[Featherweight]] |
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|nationality= {{flagicon|GBR}} [[United Kingdom|British]] |
|nationality= {{flagicon|GBR}} [[United Kingdom|British]] |
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Revision as of 23:27, 26 January 2012
Jeff Thomas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | Jeff Charles Thomas 30 October 1981 |
| Nationality |  British |
| Other names | 'Jazzy' Jeff Jeffro Horse Cock |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Featherweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 16 |
| Wins | 9 |
| Wins by KO | 1 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Jeff Thomas (born 30 October 1981 in Dordrecht, Holland) is a British professional boxer from Lytham St. Anne's in Lancashire.
Thomas fought at light welterweight and was a challenger for the Irish light welterweight title and the British Masters super featherweight and light welterweight titles.[1]
Background
Thomas was born in Dordrecht, Holland but was raised in Feltham, London where he attended St Laurences RC Primary, Feltham and St Edmunds RC Primary, Whitton. He moved from London aged 12 to St Annes-on-Sea near Blackpool in Lancashire, England where he attended Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary, St Annes and St Bedes RC High School, Lytham. After leaving school Thomas worked as a Travel Agent before moving into professional boxing and subsidizing his wage working as a Door Supervisor in Blackpool. During his time working on the doors, Thomas was allegedly involved in countless acts of sickening violence in various night clubs, and quickly gained a fearsome reputation around the city as someone with a short temper and great urge to fight anyone who offended him.
He was also known to be notoriously promiscuous during this period of his life, though claims to have settled down somewhat since he met his current girlfriend.
Thomas now manages Portal Security Services Ltd.. It is also noted that Jeff Thomas has the same tattoo as Miguel Cotto. Both have tribal artwork on the right side of their bodies. It is unclear who had their tattoo done first. Thomas often gets mistaken for Cotto by boxing fans in the street wanting an autograph, much to Thomas's annoyance.
Amateur career
At amateur level, Thomas won a North West England novice title and reached the quarterfinals of the senior Amateur Boxing Association of England championship's in 2001 where we was beaten by eventual finalist Steven Mathews. He also lost a close majority decision to double ABA champion and future world champion Steve Foster jnr and scored a good first round stoppage win over James Lee. Thomas finished his amateur career with a 19-4 senior record with six stoppages.[1][2]
Professional career
Debut
Thomas turned professional in December 2001 in Blackpool. On his debut he defeated Birkenhead's Peter Allen on points over six rounds (59/55). Allen would go on to beat Central Area Champion Eddie Nevins and draw with Commonwealth Super Bantamweight Champion Isaac Ward.[1]
British Masters title fights
Thomas was undefeated in his first seven fights including controversial decision wins over Midland Area Champion Peter Buckley and Central Area Champion Daniel Thorpe plus a fortunate draw with the then highly rated Carl Allen (whom had Ko'd British Champion Dazzo Williams and drawn with future British Champion Lee Meager in recent fights). Then, in September 2003, Thomas fought against Scot Lee McAllister for the British Masters light welterweight title in the Scot's hometown, Aberdeen. McAllister, the Scottish champion and future two-weight world champion won the title by close decision on points over ten rounds by a margin 95-97. Thomas was devastated by the verdict having floored the Scot twice and largely dominated most of the contest.[1]
Three months later in Thomas next fight he faced Yorkshire's Martin Hardcastle again on his opponent home turf in Bradford, Yorkshire. This time Thomas had shed 8 lb, as the fight was for the British Masters super featherweight title, but again Thomas having floored his opponent lost on points over ten rounds (96/95). Thomas felt with some justification he had been the victor in both contests.
Hardcastle and McAllister then faced each other in their next next. McAllister came out the eventual victor, after which Hardcastle retired from boxing. McAllister went from strength to strength, famously winning world titles at lightweight and light welterweight.[1]
Missed Opportunity
Over the following three years Thomas' interest in the sport waned. Thomas, trying to score an upset, took bouts on short notice against Ricky Burns and Steve Murray, troubling both before losing each fight conclusively. However, he also gained another controversial points victory, over former British Title Challenger, British Masters and Midlands Area Champion Anthony Hanna,and then went on to beat Wales' Anthony Christopher.[1]
This lead Thomas to get a chance to fight for the biggest pay day of his career, against Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan. Thomas was approached to fight Khan in December 2005 on the undercard of the Williams v. Harrison but he had contracted to fight Baz Carey, whom Khan had beaten three months previous to that in only his second professional fight.[2]
An alternate date in the beginning of 2006 was suggested for the pair to fight but it was imperative that Thomas defeat Baz Carey during their scheduled contest in Blackpool. Unfortunately for Thomas he shockingly lost on points to Carey and lost his chance to fight Khan. Again some felt that Thomas had been unfortunate, though not Thomas himself.[1][2]
Irish light welterweight title
Following a win over Nuneaton Veteran Kristean Laight, Thomas got the opportunity to fight for the vacant Irish light welterweight title in June 2006. The Irish title had been vacated by unbeaten Dubliner Robbie Murray to allow Oisin Fagan and Peter McDonagh to fight for the title. However, McDonagh pulled out of the fight which allowed Thomas the chance to step in and fight for the vacant title at the National Stadium, Dublin.
Fagan won the Irish title in front of his friends and family after he stopped Thomas in the seventh round. Fagan would go on to lose a split decision to unbeaten former world lightweight Champion Paul Spadafora and had already gone the distance with Julio Cesar Chavez Junior before being stopped by British prospect Amir Khan in 2008.
Thomas decided to return to the ring in January 2008 but soon after joining Bobby Rimmers Boxing Academy in Stalybridge, Manchester he suffered a torn muscle in his chest. He is now assistant trainer to Kevin Maree.[1][3][4][5]
Comeback
In March 2011, Thomas finally made his long-awaited return to the ring at Municipal Hall, Colne, Lancashire, gaining a fortunate six round draw against the 1-8-2 Rick Boulter. Thomas was stunned numerous times during the contest, and was forced to spend much of the final round clinching Boulter, as Thomas was too exhausted to defend himself.
Prizefighter appearance
Somewhat depressed after struggling to secure any further bouts during the following months, Thomas, whilst browsing the internet, noticed there was a spot to be filled on September's Prizefighter light middleweight tournament. Always looking ahead, Thomas viewed Prizefighter as the perfect opportunity to get his faltering career back on track, potentially earn a career-high payday, whilst gained some free nation-wide publicity[6].
After Prizefighter promoters Barry Hearn and his son Eddie didn't return any of Thomas's many phone calls, Thomas came up with the novel idea of an online campaign using fans on his favourite boxing forums to help gain support for his efforts to secure the vacant spot. Within 48 hours, word had quickly spread across the internet, with such famous celebrities such as Carl Weathers, Tyson Gay, Bobby Davro, and Anneka Rice all offering their support via Twitter[7]. The Hearns had been unsure of which British boxer to award the final place to, but were soon convinced that giving Thomas the spot would beneficial to all involved, and confirmation of Thomas's place in the tournament was quickly announced.
In the Prizefighter Quarter Final, Thomas was drawn against the 3-0 novice Kris Agyei-Dua. During the first round, Thomas scored a knockdown with a spectacular Roy Jones-esque leaping left hook. Agyei-Dua recovered, and in the second round began to find his rhythm, showing excellent boxing skills. Thomas quickly tired and began to take flush punches, losing rounds two and three. However, he displayed a tremendously strong chin to remain in the contest, and the two combatants battled for the full three round duration.
The bout was correctly ruled a draw. However, notoriously controversial referee Terry O'Connor voted for Agyei-Dua to continue through to the Semi Final, and thus Thomas was eliminated. Thomas disgraced himself by using foul language live on air in his post-fight interview with Sky Sports, and then furthered disgraced himself by allegedly destroying his dressing room in anger. After being calmed by friends however, Thomas gave a very gracious and sporting interview to retired female boxer Jane Couch[8].
He returned in December with a controversial six round decision win against Monsoor Wali, again at the Municipal Hall, Colne, Lancashire. Thomas now regards the Municipal Hall as something of a lucky venue[9].
Thomas remains optimistic about his boxing future, and hopes to secure a world title shot against Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao some time in 2012[10].
Other interests
Thomas is also currently gaining recognition as a personal trainer[11]. He is known by friends and family to be a huge practical joker, with pranks calls being one of his favourite tricks. Thomas is rumoured to have a police caution for dogging, although this has never been publicly confirmed.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Boxrec. "Jeff Thomas". Boxrec Fighter Page. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
- ^ a b c "Thomas books a date with Amir Khan". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
- ^ "Tapia helping Martinez get ready for Dunne". Eastside Boxing. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
- ^ Tomás Rohan. "Fagan could meet Thomas in June". RTE. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
- ^ Tomás Rohan. "Familiar Names on National Stadium Undercard". Irish boxing.com. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
- ^ http://www.secondsout.com/interviews/interviews/jeff-thomas-prizefighter-is-my-world-title
- ^ http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/apollo-creed-weighs-jeff-thomas-prizefighter-campaign
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqsrCqPnTic
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MziLCBEa5Ak
- ^ http://www.boxingscene.com/jeff-thomas-talks-prizefighter-future-groves-smith--45680
- ^ http://www.jeffthomastraining.com/
External links
- Boxing record for Jeff Thomas from BoxRec (registration required)