By Exclusive interview by Charles C. White: Kindly taking time out of his busy training schedule, undefeated heavyweight “Viscious” Vincent Thompson had the following answers to my questions:
CW: Been a while since our last interview Vince, how are you doing my friend?
VT: Just fine Charles, just itching to get back in the ring.
CW: In your last fight, you got a TD win over Jonte Willis in a highly anticipated Northwest showdown. There was a lot of confusion going on in the end of this fight and thereafter. Can you tell us what happened exactly?
VT: You was there Charles. It was only obvious in the 8th, Jonte did not want to continue Charles. We were on the ropes in close when I stepped over to my right and threw a punch which I thought landed just behind the ear however the ref saw it different and said that I hit him with a rabbit punch, and they were going to give him time to recuperate and you seen the rest of the story Charles. Maybe you can describe for your readers what you seen that eventful night even after the ref took away 2 points for a foul (the score card “ time: 2:01 | referee: Paul Field | judge: Hunter Walton 78-72 | judge: Alan Krebs 78-72 | judge: Terrence Moody 78-72 Thompson lost two points for rabbit punch in rd 8 “). My hat goes off to Mr. Willis for trying. He is a good fighter, he got robbed in his last fight April 4th in Russia against Denis Bakhtov, you can youtube it and tell me what you think Charles(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WpdsmZPaNU). But that night when Jonte and I met in the ring, I happened to be the better fighter. Jonte Willis makes the second National Amateur Champ I got a win over in my short young career with the first being Charles Ellis in my 6th match and Jonte in my 10th match, and I just keep getting better and better as time passes by. I look forward to training with Jonte sometime in the future, but for now it’s on to the next opponent..
CW: Are you open to a rematch with Willis?
VT: At any time but I know it wouldn’t happen simply because my management wouldn’t do it, at least no time in the near future. My management said we need to look ahead of us not behind us. It’s in the past now Charles.
CW: According to boxrec.com, you don’t have any fights lined up yet. When can we expect to see you back in the ring again and do you have an opponent lined up yet?
VT: My management team is hoping to get on this card: EMANUEL STEWARD PRESENTS KRONK LIVE BOXING at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in California, May 11th. That’s all I know so far..
CW: Are you keeping active in the gym during your time off?
VT: Of course Charles, always. It’s my job, my life, it’s not going to stop until I complete my mission, and that is becoming the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world.
CW: Will your next fight be another step up in competition, or will you be looking to get a couple more fights on a similar level before stepping up again?
VT: Well as far as I’m concerned Charles, whoever they put in front of me is who I will fight. I honestly feel like I’m ready for whoever, however my team makes that decision, and they will probably fight me at the same level for 2 or 3 more fights then step up again. But as of right now I don’t know who my next opponent will be but I guess it will be announced soon but for the record I don’t care.
CW: Where do you see yourself in this division by the end of this year or early next year? Are you hoping to establish yourself as a threat to the best by then?
VT: Oh yeah we are knocking on the door right now. I am looking to get ranked by the end of this year or early next year. I am playing the game, I’m hungry like I’m training for my first championship fight, I want it man. I been wanting to be a champ ever since I was a kid so I know it will come true, it’s just about staying hungry at all times and really knowing what you really want at the end of the day.
CW: Anybody on your radar right now?
VT: Naw! Charles nobody is on our radar right now, I beat them as they come.
CW: What were your thoughts on the Chisora-Klitschko fight?
VT: My thought is if you don’t have good movement and stay busy with those guys (K-Bros) you will loose. It was a good fight, the best one for Vitali in a long time. Chisora was doing fine, he kept Vitali back peddling pretty much the entire fight. Chisora gave Vitali problems throughout the fight, it was probably Vitali’s biggest test in years, Chisora just needed to throw more punches and out work Vitali and maybe he would of gotten the decision.
CW: And what did you think of Mormeck’s efforts against Wladimir Klitschko?
VT: Charles, Wladimir kept Mormeck at bay easily, controlling him with his jab. I was not impressed with Mormeck’s effort. Instead of bobbing and weaving and jabbing his way in, he led his way in with his head and was introduced to Wladimir’s jab. I think Mormeck needs to stay at cruiserweight.
CW: What are your thoughts on this idea that the U.S. is lacking quality American heavyweights?
VT: I don’t think it’s that, it’s just we have most of the Americans that’s 6’6” and above playing basketball or football, not boxing, and the American amateur program is not what it used to be. There are some Chambers, Chris Arreola, Chauncy Welliver, and Seth Mitchell just to name a few. Also, some American heavyweights have much to deal with at times (management/promoter problems, personal problems, etc.) and not putting in quality gym time, and they forget the fact that whatever you put in is what you get out. So what I mean is a lot of American heavyweight fighters are not hungry, but I am hungry and I am coming.
CW: A completely random question I have is what do you think of the Seattle Seahawks recently signing QB Matt Flynn? Being from Washington State like myself, I must assume that you are a Seahawks fan and thus have an opinion on this?
VT: To be honest, not a huge fan of the Seahawks, but sure wouldn’t mind seeing them win a Super Bowl. I think it’s great that they have Mr. Flynn. Hopefully they can go somewhere, but for me Charles; die hard Raiders fan man.
CW; (Laughs) Ok, thanks for humoring me with that one. Any final thoughts for the readers or for your fellow heavyweights?
VT: Thanks for the interview Charles and for your time. To my fans; I will be back on the scene, and to the heavys; I’m coming, I hope you’re ready because I’m always ready!
For questions or comments, to schedule an interview, or to simply chat about boxing, Charles White can be reached at cwhite1078@mysvc.skagit.edu or 360-333-5911.