Hector Thompson 'The Brisbane Bomber'

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', Sep 16, 2012.



  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Hector Thompson,

    The 'brilliant' boxer from Brisbane, Australia.

    Hector was 'smooth and cool', and was one of the dominant
    Lightweights and Light-Welterweights in the early and mid 1970's.

    At 5' 7", and rock solid at either 135 lbs. or 140 lbs.

    Fought both Roberto Duran (June 2, 1973) and Antonio Cervantes
    (November 15, 1975).

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  2. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    I'd hardly call him a brilliant boxer, but he was a good fighter.

    As strong a lightweight as i've ever seen, fairly well-schooled and threw a beautiful left-hook.

    Often seemed to be in a sloth like lethargy though.He fought like a combination of a poor man's Dick Tiger and lazy mode Juan Laporte.

    The kind of fighter who would give most a tough time if they came straight at him.
     
  3. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Hector Thompson,,,,,,

    Turned professional on March 11, 1970

    The 20 year-old was held to a 4-Round Draw.

    But Hector bounced back with '12' straight wins, and by October 1970 was 12-0-1 (2 KO's).

    Though physically strong, Hecor was 'not' considered a hard puncher.

    On October 6, 1970 - 'tragedy struck' in Newcastle, New South Wales - as Hector defeated
    Rocco Spanja by a knockout (KO 10), but Spanja died of head injuries as a result of
    accumulative blows to the head sustained in the bout.

    Hector continued his career in 1970, but was 'effected' by the death of Rocco Spanja.

    Hector followed with performances in the following bouts, knocking him from the
    undefeated ranks.

    November 5, 1970 (L Dec 10).....Ted Bonner
    January 15, 1971 ( L Dec 10)..... Ray McGrady

    21 year-old - Hector Thompson was now 14-2-1 (3 KO's)
     
  4. Bugger

    Bugger Active Member Full Member

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    Outside the ring Hector is said to be a quiet spoken gentleman. Those who saw him in his early days all said he was never the same after the Spanja incident.

    I like Hec a lot, I've seen one his bouts with Manny Santos, very entertaining scrap.

    Great thread SeƱor Pepe.
     
  5. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Tuesday Night - October 6, 1970

    Wallsend RSL Club, Newcastle, New South Wales

    Hector Thompson, 12-0-1 (2 KO's).
    vs.
    Roko Spanja, 6-4-2 (4 KO's)

    Hector Thompson, 21 year-old Light-Welterweight from Brisbane takes on
    Roko Spanja, a 21 year-old from Yugoslavia, now residing in Melbourne,
    Australia.

    Hector, a fast-handed boxer, with excellent strength and good boxing skills,
    looks to stay undefeated in a 10-Round Light-Welterweight bout. This will be
    Hector's '14th-bout' since March 1970.

    Roko Spanja, a durable Light-Welterweight, has been a busy fighter too in 1970, and
    this will be his '13th-bout' in 8-months. Roko is a '6-Round preliminary fighter',
    and this will be only his 'second' scheduled 10-Round bout.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Fight

    Hector Thompson showed immediately that he was the 'more skilled' boxer and
    controlled the early portion bout with stiff jabs and hard right hand counters.

    But Roko Spanja hung in close, and banged away at Hector in the middle
    rounds to close the gap, and 'even' the on the scorecards after 7-Rounds.

    The pattern changed a bit in Rounds 8 and 9, as Hector was able to land the
    crisper punches, as Roko swung with wide punches that were not effective.

    Entering the 'last round', Thompson had a slight '2-point' edge on the scorecards, and
    neither boxer had been hurt.

    After a minor exchange, Roko came in wide-open where Hector than threw a hard right
    uppercut to the point-of-the-chin, where upon Roko Spajna fell to the canvas and where
    his head hit the floor extremely hard.

    The Referee immediately realized Roko was unconscious, and called for the ringside physician.

    Roko Spanja was taken to the Wallsend Suburban Hospital. Roko Spanja did not
    regain consciousness, and died the following day on Wednesday, October 7, 1970 where
    the doctors reported that it was a result of brain damage suffered from the blow.

    After Fight Comments;

    Hector Thompson,

    'I'm in shock. I do not know what to say. I want to visit Roko in the hospital, but they are
    not allowing visitors. The fight was close, and I wanted to make sure I won the last round.
    He came-in wide open, and I threw my punch. When he went down, his head hit the canvas
    very heavily.'

    Johnny Cooper, Roko Banja's Manager/Trainer,

    'Roko wanted to fight to make money, to bring his parents who are in Yugoslavia, to here
    in Melbourne. He felt he would have enough money by Christmas. Despite what people say,
    I did not over-match Roko. He was in good condition, and on Monday he was certified by
    the boxing commission to fight.'
     
  6. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Hector Thompson, went on a roll after January 1971, including wins -

    * New South Wales Lightweight Championship
    March 19, 1971 - (W Dec 10) - Bobby Cotterill

    * Australian Light-Welterweight Championship
    July 12, 1971 - (W Dec 10) - Leo Young

    * Australian Light-Welterweight Championship
    September 28, 1971 - (W Dec 15) - Dave Rudken

    February 9, 1972 - (W Dec 10) - Rex Downard

    April 21, 1972 - (KO 7) - Rex Downard (Rex Downard would defeat future Featherweight Champion (David Kotey 21-1-1) on July 13, 1972.

    May 19, 1972 - (KO 10) - Hermani Apitan

    June 16, 1972 - (W Dec 10) - Joe Tetteh

    June 30, 1972 - (KO 10) - Ali Afakasi
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    * Australian Light-Welterweight Championship
    September 1, 1972 - (W Dec 15) - Billy White

    Festival Hall - Brisbane, Australia

    Hector Thompson (35-2-1) defeats Jeff White (25-8-1) over 15-Rounds
    in the '2nd-Defense' of his Australian Light-Welterweight Championship.

    It was a 'close bout', but Hector was the faster boxer over the early rounds
    to build up a solid lead, and hold on down the stretch as Billy White came on
    like 'a pack of wild dogs'.

    Hector Thompson won by 2-points (6-4-5 in Rounds).

    This was Hector Thompson's 20th-straight victory.

    Following the victory over Billy White, 23 year-old Hector 'The Flash' Thompson
    was ranked as the #17 World-ranked Light-Welterweight.

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  7. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    October 16, 1972

    Festival Hall - Brisbane, Australia

    'Australasian Lightweight Championship'

    Hector Thompson (Australia) - 36-2-1 (9 KO's)
    vs.
    Manoel 'Manny' Santos (New Zealand) - 30-7-2 (13 KO's)

    23 year-old - 5' 7" 'boxer' Hector Thompson got 'dropped' by a jarring
    right hand from the sharp-shooting 31 year-old - 5' 8" veteran -Manny Santos.

    It was the 'first' time Hector was ever dropped in a fight.

    But the younger Hector regrouped, and fought hard to swing the tide, in a
    back-and-forth bout with the 'hard-punching' Santos. 'The Flash' had a
    2-point edge after 10-Rounds, based upon cleaner punching.

    But, Manny Santos rallied over the last 2-Rounds', to get even with
    the clever Australian.

    In the end, the bout was ruled a 12-Round Draw.

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  8. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    December 8, 1972

    Milton Tennis Courts - Brisbane, Australia

    Hector Thompson defends his Australasian Lightweight Title,
    by 'disposing' of Renaldo Victoria in 4 Rounds.

    Renaldo Victoria 18-2-1 (9 KO's) predicted an 'upset' victory. But the
    American now residing in Australia was floored in the '2nd Round', and
    then dropped 'twice' in the '4th-Round' before the one-sided bout was
    stopped by Referee - Des Crabbe.

    Thompson, now the #16 World-ranked Lightweight improves his record
    to 37-2-2 (10 KO's).

    Hector is hoping for a Championship bout versus WBA Lightweight Champion -
    Roberto Duran for sometime in 1973.
     
  9. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Keep it coming, Pepe, I was a big fan of Thompson's back in the day.

    Scartissue
     
  10. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Monday Night - February 26, 1973

    Festival Hall - Brisbane, Australia

    Hector Thompson 37-2-2 (10 KO's) and Manoel 'Manny' Santos 30-7-3 (13 KO's)
    will do it again, for the Australasian Lightweight Championship.

    Their first bout on October 16, 1972 ended in a 12-Round Draw.

    This bout, will be scheduled for 15-Rounds, with the winner guranateed a bout with
    WBA Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran for sometime in the summer of 1973.

    Manoel 'Manny' Santos (Born in Tonga, resdiing in New Zealand)
    A 5' 8" boxer-puncher, with a good straight right hand.

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    The Fight

    Both boys picked up where they left off in their 'first fight' 4-months earlier.

    Hector boxed from mid-range, and scored with hard left jabs to the body, and
    throwing counter right-hands. Hector was 'faster', and out-punched the 'slower'
    but 'harder' punching Santos easily over the first '8-Rounds'.

    Manny picked up the pace in Round 9, as Hector slowed down a bit, and put
    together a 'strong rally' in the later rounds, to close the gap. But 'The Flash'
    put together a workmanlike effort in Rounds 12 and 13, to secure a solid points
    lead.

    Manny tried for the heavy punches in the last '2-Rounds', but Hector fought
    smartly, and stayed tight with a good defense.

    Referee- Terry Reilly had Hector Thompson ahead by 3-Points on his scorecard.

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  11. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    March 26, 1973

    Festival Hall - Brisbane, Australia

    Hector Thompson, the Australasian Lightweight Champion will
    now go after the British-Commonwealth Light-Welterweight Champion.

    The 23 1/2 year-old Thompson 38-2-2 (10 KO's) needs this victory to
    seal his chance for a World Championship.

    The British-Commonwealth Champion is Joseph Tetteh, a Ghanan who
    resides in Scotland.

    The 31 year-old- Joe Tetteh with a record of 45-23-5 (25 KO's) is ranked
    as the #5 Light-Welterweight by Ring Magazine.

    The 'boys' also fought back in June 1972, where Hector Thomspon won a 'close'
    10-Round Decision.

    Joe Tetteh
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    The Fight

    Hector Thompson, using younger legs, boxed circles around the 'veteran'
    Joe Tetteh over the early going, to build up a 'solid' points lead. Hector
    bounced solid left jabs into the mid-section of the muscular British-Commonwealth
    Champion, preventing Tetteh from landing his powerful right-hand hooks.

    The 31 year-old Tetteh (living in Scotland), did score with an occassional left
    hand, but could not get his hard right through the tight defense of the Australian.

    Thompson, shook the rock-jawed Tetteh in Round 8 with a left-hook and right
    uppercut, forcing the Champion to hold on.

    The 'grizzled Ghanan' was the aggressor in Rounds 10, 11 and 12, as he was able to back
    the 'quick footed' Australian up, by landing the heavier punches.

    But, the Australian fought cleverly over the last '3-Rounds', as he jabbed his way inside,
    and then out-worked the Champion with quick combinations, before backing way
    unharmed.

    Referee, Terry Reilly scored the bout with Hector Thompson having a 4-Point advantage.
     
  12. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    May 22, 1973

    Hector Thompson, the 23 1/2 year-old Australian from
    Brisbane will fight WBA Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran in
    Panama City on Saturday - June 2, 1973.

    Hector, with a record of 39-2-2 (10 KO's), is the Australasian Lightweight
    Champion. 'The Flash' is also the British-Commonwealth Light-Welterweight
    Champion, a title that he won on March 26, 1973 over 'World-rated'
    Joseph Tetteh.

    The 5' 7" Thompson, is a clever and physically strong fighter. Hector has
    quick hands, good footwork, and incredible stamina, and should present
    a tough opponent for the Champion. Hector has lost only 'twice' in his career,
    with both losses coming when he was just starting out. Hector prides himself
    on a 'strong chin', as he has only been dropped 'once' in his career.

    Hector, is not ranked in the Top 10 by the WBA as a Lightweight, but has been
    approved by the WBA Championship Committee as a 'certified contender'.

    Hector is replacing #6 WBA Lightweight - Antonio Puddo as a 'challenger'
    for Roberto Duran's crown.

    Roberto Duran has had bouts with the following fall through,
    A) Ken Buchanan
    B) Esteban De Jesus
    C) Antonio Puddo

    Hector Thompson is offered a fight purse of $15,000 for a Championhip bout,
    plus the ancillary rights for the televsion broadcast to Australia.

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  13. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Saturday Night - June 2, 1973

    Gimnasio Nuevo - Panama City, Panama

    The Fight

    Both boys met in center-ring, and exchanged. Roberto was busier, but Hector
    was sharper. Duran had an eddge in the first-half of the round, but Hector
    came on the in the later half, to make it a very close round.

    In Round 2, Roberto Duran took control, and just kept punching, not allowing
    Hector to get set to throw his straight left hands and right uppercuts.
    Roberto was aggressive with left jabs to the face, left hooks to the body and straight
    right hands to the head.

    But Hector absorbed the punches well, but Robert was 'too fast' for the Australian to
    counter with anything effective.

    In Round 3, Roberto Duran fights fast, by scoring with everything in the book, and
    out-punches Hector 5 to 1, and controls the first 2:20 of the Round, with a non-stop
    attack. Late in the round, Roberto backs off and goes to the ropes, where Hector moves
    in to attack. Roberto with his back to the ropes, fires about a dozen left jabs to measure
    Hector, then comes off the ropes with a lead right-hand, and left upper-cut hook to
    Hector's jaw, knocking him down to his right knee, to score a 'flash knockdown' at the
    2:40 Mark.

    Hector bounces up immediately, and is not hurt. Both fighters paw and cruise to the end
    of the round.

    In Round 4, Roberto again attacks, as he throw many punches. Hector continues to move and
    press forward, and lands his own straight lefts and counter right-hands. Roberto continues
    to stay busy, but Thompson comes back effectively over the last-minute, and late in the
    round, he scores with a good right-hand that stiffens Roberto up.

    In Round 5, both boys go toe-to-toe early in the round, but by the 1:00 Mark, Duran turns
    on the pressure, and swarms on Hector like 'killer bees' by scoring with a variety of punches.
    Hector is too busy covering up to counter with anything, and Duran is out-punching Hector by
    a wide margin of a 10 to 1 ratio.

    In Round 6,

    At the 1:00 Mark, 'El Cholo' turns on the pressure, and prevents Hector from mounting any decent
    offense. By mid-round, Roberto starts to land with single but crisp and accurate punches.
    Hector is pacing himself and moves slowly forward, and this allows Roberto to put some power
    behind his right hands.

    Roberto starts throwing hard left-rghts to the body, as he isnow moving Hector backwards. Hector
    whips in a good right uppercut at the 1:40 Mark, but Roberto is still the effective aggressor,
    as Hector is on the defensive.

    Later in the round, at the 2:00 Mark - Hector lands a big right uppercut to Roberto's left eye.
    Then counters with several hard left hands to Roberto's eye, causing it to swell. After each
    exchange medium-power punches, Hector lands a hard right-hook at the 2:40 Mark to Robert's
    left eye. Hector follows up with several sharp left jabs to Roberto's eye. Roberto fires back
    wth his own hard punches at the end of the round.

    In Round 7, Roberto comes out with a nearly closed left eye, and a large mouse under the left eye.
    Roberto starts out being busy again, but he starts to slow down a 'notch', and Hector begins to
    pick up the 'pace', and he starts scoring with solid left-rights. Hector is moving forward, while Roberto
    is the one backing up. Hector is picking his punches, and is 'selective' in throwing his straight
    lefts and rights.

    At the end of Round 7, Hector Thompson is suprisingly the 'fresher' of the two combatants.

    In Round 8, 'amazingly' Roberto Duran comes out 're-charged', and goes right to his 'two-fisted'
    attack, again showing amazing speed and accuracy. Hector is out-sped by Roberto, and cannot
    get set-up to launch a counter-attack.

    Roberto scores with a sharp flurry to the face of Hector, which causes his nose to bleed. Hector brings
    the fight to center-ring, and is fighting back, as both fighters slug away. But Roberto takes the edge
    and starts to push Hector back. The fight moves sideways toward the ropes, and the fighters exchange
    evenly.

    Robert lands a good overhand right at the 1:30 Mark, which is his 'best' punch of the fight so far. Roberto
    continues with his flurry as Hector tries to fire back with is own hard punches. Then with Hector's guard down,
    Roberto lands a hard counter right-hand to the head at the 1:52 Mark, which stuns Hector, and Roberto follows
    with a vicious left hook that drops a 'stunned' Hector onto his back. Hector gets up at the '5-Count' still dazed
    as Referee - Nicasio Drake gives the '8-Count'.

    Roberto moves in with a 'dazed' Hector along the ropes, and lands an overhand right to the jaw. Hector wobbles
    backwards into his own corner, where Roberto lands a hard straight right, then follows with a right-left-right-left-
    right-left as Referee - Nicasio Drake jumps in at 2:15 of Round 8.



    Aftermath

    Hector Thompson falls to 39-3-2. It was the 'first time' that he had ever been stopped. Upon entering
    the bout, the 'clever boxing' Hector Thompson had been 'unbeaten' in '26-straight' bouts.

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  14. Great posts, I know quite a few who knew him. Always wanted to learn more about Hector Thomson. He gave Duran a good fight while it lasted.
     
  15. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Thanks Joker,,,,,:good

    Roberto may have been at his 'best' on June 2, 1973. The punches he
    threw came from everywhere.

    It wasn't the power that bothered Hector, it was the 'rapid fire' attack
    that he couldn't cope with.

    Hector fought well, late in Round 1. He also had a very good Round 4,
    where he landed the more accurate punches, including a good right
    hand near the end of the round, that 'stiffened' Roberto upright.

    After getting 'out-punched' for Round 5, and almost all of Round 6, Hector
    landed a good right upper-cut to Roberto's left eye late in the Round 6,
    and then scored with several good punches to nearly close Duran's left eye.

    And, Hector had his best scoring in Round 7, as he was ableto get though to
    Roberto. It looked like he might turn the tide, as Robert slowed down a gear.

    Entering Round 8, Roberto was up by {70-64 and 70-63) on two scorecards,
    but Harmodio Cedeno had it closer with Roberto only up by 2-points.
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    By the way, Ring Magazine who did not rank Hector Thompson in the Top 10 of
    the Lightweight Division (he was only rated as the #17 Lightweight) were impressed
    by his performance. And then in their July 1973 Ratings, moved him to the #5 Lightweight.

    By the end of 1973, Ring Magazine ranked 'The Flash' as the #5 Light-Welterweight.