CKP'S UNBEATEN WELTER SENSATION THOMPSON RETURNS TO HOMETOWN OF PHILADELPHIA MARCH 21

18.03 - Undefeated welterweight sensation Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson returns to his hometown of Philadelphia in a fight March 21 at the Blue Horizon against his most experienced opponent by far.

Thompson, who has a record of 9-0 with seven knockouts, is fighting the third time in less than two months.

Thompson's foe in the six-round bout is Alejandro Jiminez of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Thompson made his Philadelphia professional debut Jan 24, and his performance–a first-round knockout of Jerome McLean--earned him rave reviews from middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins. The fellow Philadelphian predicted young Thompson would be a world champion himself one day.

"I'm doing better and feeling more comfortable with each fight," said Thompson after his most recent win, a second-round knockout of James Buggs on a Cedric Kushner Promotions "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card Feb. 15 in Laughlin, Nev.

The 21-year-old Thompson, who was the favorite to win the gold medal for the United States at the 2004 Athens Olympic before he turned pro last year, has knocked out his past five opponents.

Thompson's other three knockouts came over Richard Lee Hall in the second round Nov. 23 in Atlantic City, N.J.; Tommy Attardo in the fourth on a Cedric Kushner Promotions "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card Sept. 8 in Lawton, Okla.; and Daniel Craycraft in the second Aug. 17 in Atlantic City.

The 33-year-old Jiminez, who has appeared in 10-round main events, has a record of 13-23-4 with five knockouts and has won his past two bouts.

Thompson, who had amateur record of 78-7, began boxing during 1990 and went
on to win the U.S. Championships for 2000 and 2001 and the National Golden Gloves for 2000. He also was selected the USA Boxing "Athlete of the Year" for 2001.

Thompson attended Temple University and majored in accounting before concentrating solely on his professional boxing career.