Tompkins steps up ring apprenticeship

Todd Tompkins (right) and Jackson. Picture: Chris Dean for Boxxer

AT a time when too many fighters nurse their unbeaten records by facing men who pose few threats, Todd Tompkins has rolled the dice.

The likeable southpaw super-middle’s bold move has cost him his own perfect record, but provided invaluable experience. It’s also introduced Todd to big arena shows.

“People care too much about their ‘O’ these days,” Tompkins, from the Northamptonshire town of Rushden, but fight based in Birmingham, said. “I’m just trying to be what I am, I’m in there to learn in every fight.”

Let’s be honest, the June clash with former star amateur Sam Hickey in Bournemouth was always going to be a bridge too far – especially taken at short notice. Todd, unbeaten in four going into the contest, was stopped in two.

But the 29-year-old can take plenty of positives from this month’s performance against Ted Jackson, now 8-0 as a pro, in Leeds. After being second best in the first half of the six rounder, Tompkins rallied to lose 59-56.

Manager Jon Pegg was full of praise for the fighter who runs a thriving community gym – Titan Fitness – in Rushden.

“He was pinged for two rounds and I told him,’ he’s gonna stop you if you don’t pick up’,” Jon said. “Then he had a go, lost third, won the fourth, the fifth was probably even, then he lost the last. He was shattered but had a good go.”

For Tompkins, who has a pleasing, aggressive style, it’s all part of the learning curve. Rushden isn’t known as a fight hub, so Todd is destined to take his show on the road.

“The Sam and Ted fights showed I’m not afraid to take the fights,” Todd said. “It’s enabling me to grow. To go up on the big stage is nice for the kids in my own gym. It gives them something to aim for. If they put the work in, keep working towards their goal, they’ll get there.”

Refreshingly, there’s no brash predictions of a glorious future from Todd who “turned over” after only 10 amateur bouts with Kettering ABC.

“I just want to keep boxing, keep getting better,” he said. “I don’t think you ever stop learning. With Sam, it was too short notice, but I took it because you don’t let opportunities like that run away with themselves and the fact I did take it opened the door for Ted Jackson.

“Against Ted, I learned a lot. If I’d boxed at the level I did in the late rounds it could’ve been different, but he’s a very talented lad.

“I got my diet nailed and had a good six week preparation, I’m always in the gym training. The first three rounds were him, he landed a flurry, I thought, ‘is that all you’ve got? And I came on stronger.

“It was a bit of a shame because everyone tuned in to watch us (on DAZN), they didn’t put us on until after 11 at night and they didn’t stream it.”

Having tasted life as the away fighter on lavish televised shows, Tompkins wants more.

He added: “You are going into the lion’s den, it’s sink or swim. You don’t get that experience from someone with a losing record.”