Jeff Thomas (boxer): Difference between revisions

Jeff Thomas
Jeff Thomas
Born	Jeff Charles Thomas; 30 October 1981 (age 42); Dordrecht, Holland
Nationality	British
Other names	'Jazzy' Jeff; Jeffro; Jeffers
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Light middleweight; Light welterweight; Lightweight
Stance	Orthodox
	Boxing record
Total fights	16
Wins	10
Wins by KO	1
Losses	6
Draws	3

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Revision as of 19:46, 29 January 2012

Jeff Thomas (born 30 October 1981 in Dordrecht, Holland) is a British professional boxer from Lytham St. Anne's in Lancashire who has competed between the super featherweight and light middleweight divisions.

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 subsidising his wage working as a Door Supervisor in Blackpool. Thomas now manages Portal Security Services Ltd.

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 Steve Foster jr and scored a first round stoppage win over James Lee.

Thomas finished his amateur career with a 19-4 senior record with six stoppages.

Professional career

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.

Thomas was undefeated in his first seven fights (6-0-1), with points wins over Midland Area champion Peter Buckley and Central Area champion Daniel Thorpe, with the draw against the promising Carl Allen (whom had Ko'd British champion Dazzo Williams and drawn with future British champion Lee Meager in recent fights).

British Masters title fights

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, 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.

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 8lbs, 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.

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 points victory, over former British title challenger, British Masters and Midlands Area champion Anthony Hanna,and then went on to beat Wales' Anthony Christopher.

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.

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 lost on points to Carey and lost his chance to fight Khan. Again some felt that Thomas had been unfortunate, though not Thomas himself.

Irish light welterweight title challenge

Following a win over Nuneaton Veteran Kristean Laight, Thomas strangely 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 be stopped by 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.

Comeback

In March 2011, Thomas finally made his long-awaited return to the ring at Municipal Hall, Colne, Lancashire, gaining a unlucky six round draw against the 1-8-2 Rick Boulter.

Prizefighter appearance

Thomas, whilst browsing the internet, noticed there was a spot yet to be filled on the September 2011 Prizefighter light middleweight tournament, and decided he would like to be a participant^[1].

Thomas came up with the idea of a mini online campaign, using fans on his favourite boxing forums to help gain support for his efforts to secure the vacant spot. The fans reacted very positively and within days, famous celebrities such as Carl Weathers and Tyson Gay had showed their support via Twitter.^[2]. Prizefighter promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn 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, referee Terry O'Connor voted for Agyei-Dua to continue through to the Semi Final, and thus Thomas was eliminated. Back in the dressing room, Thomas gave a very gracious and sporting interview to retired female boxer and ex-girlfriend Jane Couch^[3].

He returned in December with a six round decision win against Monsoor Wali, again at the Municipal Hall, Colne, Lancashire^[4].

Other interests

Thomas is also currently a personal trainer^[5].

Thomas is a regular poster in the online British forum on EastSide Boxing^[6].

References

External links

Boxing record for Jeff Thomas from BoxRec (registration required)

Template:Persondata

[1] ttp://www.secondsout.com/interviews/interviews/jeff-thomas-prizefighter-is-my-world-title

[2] ttp://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/apollo-creed-weighs-jeff-thomas-prizefighter-campaign

[3] ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqsrCqPnTic

[4] ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MziLCBEa5Ak

[5] ttp://www.jeffthomastraining.com/

[6] ttp://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/

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@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 Thomas, whilst browsing the internet, noticed there was a spot yet to be filled on the September 2011 [[Prizefighter_series|Prizefighter]] light middleweight tournament, and decided he would like to be a participant<ref>http://www.secondsout.com/interviews/interviews/jeff-thomas-prizefighter-is-my-world-title</ref>.
-Thomas came up with the idea of a mini online campaign using fans on his favourite boxing forums to help gain support for his efforts to secure the vacant spot. The fans reacted very positively and within days, famous celebrities such as [[Carl Weathers]] and [[Tyson Gay]] had showed their support via [[Twitter]].<ref>http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/apollo-creed-weighs-jeff-thomas-prizefighter-campaign</ref>. Prizefighter promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn 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.
+Thomas came up with the idea of a mini online campaign, using fans on his favourite boxing forums to help gain support for his efforts to secure the vacant spot. The fans reacted very positively and within days, famous celebrities such as [[Carl Weathers]] and [[Tyson Gay]] had showed their support via [[Twitter]].<ref>http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/apollo-creed-weighs-jeff-thomas-prizefighter-campaign</ref>. Prizefighter promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn 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.