This is a powerful message for anyone struggling with mental health, addiction, or adversity.
After a successful professional debut on January 31st in Barnsley, Benjamin ‘Beano’ Thompson is looking to push on with his career and make his mark in the paid ranks. Before turning professional, he boxed as an amateur and later built a name on the unlicensed circuit, with his record including a notable win over Eric Sutton (who shared the ring with current heavyweight world champion Fabio Wardley in one of his four white-collar fights).
Now 1-0 as a professional and fighting out of LS20 Boxing Club in Leeds, he is aiming to push towards titles while showcasing his fan-friendly style along the way. However, his road to a professional contract has been far from plain sailing, and his journey stands as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
“I got into boxing when I was eleven years old because I played a lot of football growing up, and I went boxing for extra fitness for football,” Thompson exclusively told Boxing King Media.
“After about six months, they offered me a fight. I took it and won, and I just stuck with it from there. Thompson boxed until the age of sixteen as an amateur, winning the Yorkshire title along the way, before stepping away from the sport for a number of years.
“After a long break and nine years out, I got back into boxing because I was going through a really dark time in my life,” he explained. “I was on bail at the time and expecting a big prison sentence. I was drinking every day and taking drugs every day. My life had been on a downward spiral for the best part of ten years. I was a mess — depressed, riddled with anxiety, and I just hated who I was. I was sick of letting people down around me and had enough, so I decided I wanted better for myself. I thought, what better way of getting the anger out than going back to boxing?”
“I went back and had a little bit of success in sparring, even though I was out of shape and it had been a long time. I had encouragement from Craig (Wood), who is now my coach, and he encouraged me to take a fight within about eight weeks. He promised he’d get me fit, so I said yeah — why not — and took it. That was it, and I’ve never looked back since then. It was a real lifeline for me.”
His story carries a powerful message for anyone struggling with mental health, addiction, or adversity — that there is always a way back, with boxing proving to be a vital outlet.
Coach Craig Wood also reflected on the journey with ‘Beano’ from his perspective: “Beano came in just to do a training session with his mate George. We had a bit of rapport and a good chat, which is the most important thing between coach and boxer, I think. You’ve got to have that understanding.
“I could see he wasn’t in the best place mentally. Over a few weeks he opened up about what was going on in his personal life and how his mental health was going downhill. I spent quite a bit of time with him working on positivity, changing his life, changing habits, and having the right people around him. We did that through boxing, and it was really good.
“Before he went to prison, we got him a couple of bouts. I said to him if he kept his nose clean, stayed focused, and got through it, Glenn (Banks) had agreed to put a pro contract in front of him as soon as he was ready. He had to go to prison and get that out of the way first, then get through probation, which he did. He’s now completely changed his life around — he’s had a new baby, is in a new relationship, and is doing really well for himself. Now here we are, into the pro journey.”
On January 31, Thompson proved he belongs on the professional stage with a shutout win over Doncaster’s Sam Kirk on his debut. He displayed relentless front-foot pressure, quality shot selection to both head and body, and switched stances effortlessly.
Thompson spoke about the transition from the amateur and unlicensed circuit to the pro ranks. “For me, it was relatively easy because I’m more suited to the pro style anyway,” he explained. “I’m naturally fit and strong, so it wasn’t hard to step up the training.”
“In regard to my pro debut, what I can take away from it is that as the rounds went on I was finishing stronger than I started, which is a good thing because I don’t plan on hanging around in four-round fights for very long. I do want to progress, and I think I’ll be better down the stretch in bigger fights.”
Coach Craig also reflected on the performance: “For me it was a good debut,” he explained.
“He controlled the nerves well, he was calm, collected, and knew what the game plan was. He stuck to it pretty well — I’d say 80 percent of what he did was exactly what we’d asked.
“It was a confident and composed first round, which is what we wanted. We didn’t want him to rush in — we wanted him to feel the guy out, see what he was about, and hold the centre. He stayed on the front foot without rushing. We said we’d assess things in the first round, then pick it up in the second and start to press him. That’s exactly what he did.
“He got on the front foot and, as the rounds went on, he pressed with the body work. One of the things we’d worked on a lot was body punching, and he delivered it well. He was listening, composed, and did a really good job to be fair. I don’t think you could ask for a better debut.”
Aside from ‘Beano’s’ performance in the ring, the travelling support was strong, and it was clear he had sold a significant number of tickets.
“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who turned up to support me,” Thompson emphasised.
“I couldn’t do what I do without the people behind me. I’m so grateful for their support — it means the world to me. I was absolutely made up with how many people came.”
Boxing King Media asked ‘Beano’ about his short-term and long-term career goals.
“Due to my age, I’m against the clock really,” he replied. “I haven’t got time to be hanging about. I want to be in tough 50-50 fights and entertain the fans that come to see me. My career is going to be short, so I want it to be explosive and exciting. I want to push on for titles as soon as possible, keep busy, and accomplish as much as I can in the time I’ve got.”
“I want to look back on my career and know that I gave it everything I had and that the fans got their money’s worth. At the end of the day, I need to make sure they’re getting value and that I’m fulfilling my career by being in exciting fights and doing the best I possibly can. I think people will see the best of me when I’m in those tough fights — that’s where I’ll shine.”
“The short term is the first year,” added Coach Craig. “Within twelve months, we are aiming to be boxing for the Central Area title — that’s our minimum goal. Once we’ve got that, the intention is to step him up in levels and see how far we can push him. Probably on to English level and then have a go at British level if possible, maybe even European level. It’s about managing him correctly — how Glenn manages him and how we train for the goals ahead.”
“People should follow my journey because I’m relatable, fan-friendly, and I’ve come through hell to get here,” explained Beano when BKM asked why boxing fans should tune in.
“I’m going to make it as exciting as possible for everyone watching. If you come to watch me fight, you’ll get your money’s worth. At the end of the day, it’s about entertaining the fans — and that’s what I’ll do.”
Coach Craig added some final words on his role as head coach at LS20 Boxing Club, highlighting the importance of boxing clubs within communities — something ‘Beano’s’ story underlines.
“We’re there to help people change their lives,” he explained. “That’s what we use boxing for, especially as a club. The boxing community understands that people make mistakes, and we’re there to help them make positive change. Anything from anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse — we are there for everybody and we are there to help people change their lives through exercise and physical health.”
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