Pioneer Boxing: Nancy Thompson

Nancy Thompson, “Little Rock” as she was called around the 5th Avenue Boxing Gym, 5’2″, 112 pounds who fought in the 1980’s. As the San Diego Tribute reported in July of 1980, “She gets into the ring and mises it with the men.  If she can’t find any women who want to trade left hooks with her, and she usually can’t, she is not averse to working out with some of the bigger, stronger, gentlemen of the trade.”  Thompson grew up in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

Thompson told the San Diego Tribune writer Steve Bisheff, “I’m pretty tough.  I hit pretty good, too.  It doesn’t bother me to get in there with the guys.  I’m not scared or anything.  It’s very hard to get any competition because I’m the only woman pro boxer in San Diego.” By day, Thompson who was 23 years old at the time of this report, worked as a car detailer for Martin Chrsyler-Plymouth.  After work she then returns to the gym in the evenings. “I really do enjoy it.  I derived a lot of satisfaction out of boxing,” added Thompson. Her trainer and manager, Joe Lopez admitted that it took him a while to get used to the idea of a female putting on the gloves.  I had some second thoughts for sure.  I hated to have a girl in here. But she kept hanging around, so I finally said it was okay and let her come in. At this writing in July of 1980, they reported that Thompson had five pro fights.  4 wins, one loss (her pro debut.)  The woman who beat her in her pro debut was Rosi Reed of Bakersfield, California, and currently the WBB World flyweight title holder.   Thompson would like to rematch Reed, she felt she could beat Reed the second time around.

Thompson said, “I think women’s boxing is kind of a new frontier.  I think it’s going to be real popular, but it will take some time.  I just have to be patient, that’s all.”