Former rugby ace to tackle boxing
HOOKER SET TO THROW HOOKS AS EX-FALCON SWAPS PITCH FOR THE RING
HE ENJOYED a 14-year career at the pinnacle of English rugby with Newcastle Falcons playing more than 200 times alongside a host of superstars like Jonny Wilkinson. But now at the age of 35 Matt Thompson is to begin a new career in the hard-knocks game of professional boxing. The British Boxing Board of Control are set to rubber-stamp Thompson’s licence at their meeting in Cardiff on May 9 which would see him make his debut as a heavyweight a couple of months later. To accommodate the sporting switch Thompson is to quit playing at Blaydon come the end of the season, though he will remain their director of rugby while competing in the roped square. Matt, who represented England at Under-18 and 21 level as well as playing for the Saxons, enjoyed some spectacular highs with the Falcons. He was in their squad that won the Powergen Cup on an epic afternoon at Twickenham in 2004 and played in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals against Stade Francais before 49,000 screaming fans in Paris a year later. When it’s suggested that maybe as a hooker he was always in secret training to become a fighter Thompson nods and chortles. At 6ft 2in and 18 stone he is ideally built. “Yeah, I put my head in where others didn’t want to put their hand,” he agreed. “I’ve always had that streak of bravery – or stupidity if you like! “I enjoyed some wonderful days with great, great players during a decade and a half with the Falcons shortly after rugby went pro but now I’m getting the same buzz every time I lace on a pair of gloves and climb inside the ring.” Thompson first got the boxing bug when he accompanied Falcons team-mate Warren Fury on his visits to Matty Jobes’ gym in the West End of Newcastle. “Warren, good enough to be capped by Wales on their 2008 tour of South Africa, comes from a boxing family and was pretty good with his fists,” Matt said. “He went to train with Matty Jobes just to keep fit and enjoy the sport and the more I watched the guys working out the more I became intrigued. “I had always liked boxing – I was a fan of Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jnr and taking part began to get under my skin.” I remember a few years back Thompson going down to London with Glenn McCrory and myself when we attended the Boxing Writers Association’s annual dinner.
“I might have played rugby with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson but they were teammates – I was star struck at seeing all the old world champions in the room,” admitted Matt.
“I remember hearing a deep-throated chuckle just behind me, turned round, and there was Frank Bruno at the next table. Wow!”
Thompson first put on the gloves in earnest when Jobes staged a charity night at the Scotswood Social Club.
That spurred him to fight again on a whitecollar show at the same venue – and he won. Enter the idea of going legit.
“I enjoy the buzz and I don’t mind taking a smack on the nose as long as I can give one back,” he said. “I’m learning all the time. When I first sparred I got battered – Matty thought I would walk away and was surprised when I said: ‘I enjoyed that!’
“I like sparring with lighter guys because of their movement etc. I can learn and I am learning.” Jobes, who has seven professionals in his Benwell gym, insisted: “Matt is not too old to embark on a pro career. He hasn’t had any wars in the ring though he’s battle hardened as a rugby star.
“He also possesses a true professional attitude to sport. He’s been brought up the right way. “He’s a big unit but he is light on his feet and has quick hands.” Thompson, who has had his gym test and interview, is set to make his debut on the Phil Jeffries show at the Stadium of Light on July 1 if all goes well with his medical after receiving licence confirmation.
Matt was born in Brighton because his dad was working there and at six months old, the family moved and though they lived in Germany for a spell he is a proud Geordie.
Dad Dave Thompson, who used to play rugby for Novocastrians, owned the Falcons for more than a decade sandwiched between the reigns of Sir John Hall and Semore Kurdi.
Matt was educated at the Royal Grammar School – a rugby talent conveyor belt – and was introduced to the sport aged only five when dad took him to Gosforth RC.
He joined the Falcons academy in 1999 and made his first team debut a year later against Newport Gwent Dragons. After leaving the Falcons, Thompson played for Darlington Mowden Park and Ealing Trailfinders in London before returning home and joining Blaydon two years ago.
I enjoy the buzz and I don’t mind taking a smack on the nose as long as I can give one back
Matt Thompson