Thompson quashes retirement rumours by Ben Carey Mar 15th 2005

Carl Thompson has scotched suggestions that he has called time on his illustrious 17-year career and is set for talks with promoters Fight Academy about a planned ring return later this year. “No, I haven't retired. I'm due to sit down and talk to Dennis Hobson soon. He's been busy with Clinton (Woods) recently but we'll have a chat about the future. I'm ticking over training three days a week to ensure that my battery doesn't go flat,” growled the Cat to BBN. Speculation has been rife that the 40-something Thompson had hung up the gloves following his triumphant war against young protégé David Haye last September, the latest in a long line of miracle wins by the Bolton bomber. A rematch with South Africa's Sebastian Rothmann, the man who Thompson thrillingly KO'd with one punch to claim the IBO cruiserweight title, was mooted but would appear to have been placed on the backburner fuelling rumours that the former WBO champion had retired. “I don't know what's happening (with the Rothmann rematch). It's a real shame about the BBC. Obviously, unless the money is going to be reasonably good then it won't happen. At the moment the promoters can't afford to put the match on and I'm not going over there (South Africa) unless I'm well paid. “So, yes, if there are no good fights out there for me then I will walk away. It has to be for something worthwhile because I hate the taxman taking away all my hard earned money. No wonder why people move abroad,” surmised Thompson. But fear not, British boxing's grand old man does appear to have options at his disposal. Ranked fourth in the IBF's latest world ratings, Thompson will have one eye on the sanctioning body's forthcoming vacant title clash between O'Neil Bell and Dale Brown. With no one currently occupying the IBF's number three berth, Thompson could be in line for a major title shot. “Yes, so I believe,” commented Thompson on his lofty world standing. “I'd love to end my career by winning the IBF title and I believe I can beat anyone in the world. You know me, if the money's right I'll fight anyone. I was still able to give David Haye a run for his money last time.” Actually Thompson faired rather better than that, withstanding a furious opening onslaught to drown a wilting Haye in five, action-packed rounds. Having briefly departed to lick his wounds, the former world amateur silver medallist has rebounded with three quick-fire stoppage wins, the most recent being a second round hammering of WBC no.9 contender Glen Kelly. Insisting that he has learned from the harsh lesson Thompson taught him, Haye is once more looking to target the world's leading cruiserweight contenders. Thompson remains sceptical of his former victim's boasts, however. “David Haye seems to have a short memory,” began Thompson, somewhat ironically. “Kelly didn't touch him. He hardly threw a punch and seemed scared of getting hit so no wonder he got pounded. The question marks about David are still there. “Unlike Kelly, I forced him to fight by being right in front of him. I made sure I retaliated and gave him some back when he hit me. It's hard when you've never experienced this before and he eventually buckled. I think if he was placed in a similar situation he'd crumble again. But he says he's learned from his mistakes. I hope for his sake that he has.” Well, what better chance for Haye to prove his critics wrong than by besting the man whom handed him his solitary professional loss? “Sure, I'd love to fight David Haye again and beat him, just to prove he didn't lose simply because he got his tactics wrong. I've heard about the kind of money they're prepared to offer the European champion (Alexander Gurov) so let's see.”

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