Anthony Thompson Faces New Foe Feb. 15 In Laughlin

12.02 - Undefeated welterweight sensation Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson of Philadelphia has a new opponent on the nationally and internationally televised "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions Feb. 15 at the Flamingo Laughlin in Laughlin, Nev.

Thompson, who's fighting just 22 days after an impressive first-round knockout Jan. 24 in Philadelphia, meets James Buggs of Oakland, Calif., in their six-round bout Feb. 15 in Laughlin.

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 a record of 8-0 with six knockouts.
The 32-year-old Buggs has a record of 3-2-1 with no knockouts.

Thompson has knocked out his past four opponents, including Jerome McLean, who he dispatched in the first round Jan. 24 in The Spectrum. 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 Sept. 8 in Lawton, Okla.; and Daniel Craycraft in the second Aug. 17 in Atlantic City.

This is the fourth Cedric Kushner Promotions "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" on which Thompson has appeared. In addition to the win over Attardo, Thompson beat Ruben Munoz May 25 in Las Vegas, Nev., and stopped Elvesto Mills in the second round March 17 in Oroville, Calif.

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. Thompson is managed by Cameron Dunkin and trained by Ronald Jackson.

The 10-round heavyweight main event on that Cedric Kushner Promotions' "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card Feb. 15 at the Flamingo Laughlin is Ray Austin against Zuri Lawrence.

The six-bout card starts at 7 p.m. (Pacific) in the Flamingo Ballroom; doors open at 6.
Tickets, priced at $20, $30 and $60 with all seats reserved, are on sale at the Magic Booth in the Flamingo Laughlin casino from 6 a.m. to midnight daily. Tickets also may be ordered by calling (702) 298-5111 or (800) 435-8469 from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.