First impressions are everlasting and last weekend, undefeated Buffalo light heavyweight Lionell “Lonnie B” Thompson made a smashing United Kingdom debut, knocking out Phil “You Know” Goodwin in the second round in Manchester, England.
Thompson-Goodwin was on the Tyson Fury-Neven Pajkic undercard, presented by Hennessy Sports, at EventCity in Trafford Park.
Thompson improved his perfect pro record to 11-0, 7 KOs. “I was very excited to fight in England for the first time,” Thompson said. “I can’t wait to fight there again in front of those great fans. I trained hard and was in great shape. British fans got to see an up-and-coming star who delivered.”
The only other fighter to stop Goodwin in two rounds is Tony Bellew, who recently went the full distance against World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) 175-pound champion Nathan Cleverly.
“Not only is Lionell a dangerous fighter,” promoter Adam Harris (Hennessy Sports) said, “he’s also a true showman. British fans really loved him. He must have spent at least 30 minutes after his fight signing autographs for young fans. We’re very high on Lionell Thompson.”
Rated as high as No. 2 in his division as a U.S. amateur boxer, Thompson was a five-time New York Golden Glove and three-time Empire State champion.
