Thompson v Nelson

We look back on the War of the Roses for the WBO cruiserweight title that ended up with not two, but three, fighters involved...

Many of boxing's grudges are born out of sheer dislike, but others are born out of need. When Johnny Nelson and Carl Thompson collided at the end of the Millennium, it was because the former needed it. Nelson, the Sheffield stylist from the same Brendan Ingle gym as Naseem Hamed and Ryan Rhodes, had already failed in two world-title bids. Thompson had the WBO cruiserweight title, having won it in 1997 and defended it twice with thrilling wins over Chris Eubank. Nelson felt he was due a shot, his achievements in the division far more deserving than Eubank's reputation for a crack at the quietly-spoken Manchester man. And he let the world know. It began with some simple ringside goading, would get personal and to this day, more than a decade on, means two of British boxing's survivors are still not on speaking terms. Had Thompson not been ringside for Nelson's routine win over Dirk Wallyn it might have been different, but once he was brought into the post-fight interview where the line was cast by Nelson and Ingle and the bait well and truly taken by the WBO champion, live on Sky Sports. Ingle was the cheerleader, screaming "next fight, next fight", Thompson tried to grab the mic and get a word in edgeways, but never did. The Eubank matches then passed and while back-to-back wins over the modern-day legend raised his stock even higher, The Cat was given little time to celebrate, knowing that Nelson was coming for him. The fight, War of the Roses, was announced in London but Thompson did not show at the press conference. Nelson, always the opportunist, enjoyed centre stage and started sewing the seeds of doubt. He had got wind of problems between Thompson and Frank Warren, also his promoter, and claimed - falsely - that he was getting paid twice as much for the fight. As the challenger! Nelson knew this was the last chance to save his career. And he knew how to drum up interest. Thompson though, had different ideas. He was never one to come out shouting, quiet and unassuming, he was happier letting his fists do the talking, more comfortable in combat than in front of the cameras. Nelson upped the ante, and brazenly predicted a fifth-round stoppage. It was not his plan, just another way of unsettling his opponent. Thompson though, was not willing to play the game for the press and public and felt, as the world champion who had just beaten Eubank, that he deserved better. "He made my blood boil. He really gets me going. He says he will beat me in five, I say I will beat him in two. I don't normally resort to saying things that are disrespectful. Dis-re-spect-ful."

Seething

By the time they came to the final press conference in Derby, where the fight would take place, Thompson was anything but the shy, softly-spoken warrior who was admired throughout the sport. He was a seething rage and when the pair did the staredown - with Nelson still chipping away under his breath on the blindside of the cameras - Thompson looked ready to clock his man then and there. Only a timely stand-down from Nelson - never one to take a punch if he could help it - prevented the sort of press conference punch-up that many of boxing's grudges enjoy. But as far as he was concerned, he had won another battle and was winning the war. By the time fight night arrived, on March 27th, 1999, Thompson could not stand the sight or sound of him. A chance meeting in a club - when Nelson claims Thompson was trying to chat up one of his