Chris Thompson (boxer)


Christopher Andrew Thompson is a South African professional boxer who held the African Boxing Union heavyweight title in 2022.

Professional career

RSA and ABU heavyweight champion

Thompson vs. Pretorious

On 11 June 2022, Thompson faced his debut foe, and current Republic of South Africa and List of African Boxing Union champions heavyweight champion Joshua Pretorius at the Emeperors Palace, Thompson won a lop-sided decision, outpointing the champion 120–108 in all of the judges' scorecards to dethrone him.

Cancelled bout vs. Ljungquist

In September 2022, Thompson was scheduled to face Danish rising prospect Kem Ljungquist for the WBC International bridgerweight championship, however, Thompson would pull out due to being hospitalized in the build-up.

Thompson vs. Gomes

On 11 December 2022, Thompson defended his titles against subsequent Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix participant and semi-finalist Keaton Gomes at the Emperors Palace. Thompson would fall in his first defence as he was dropped thrice in the first round en route to a sixth-round stoppage loss, Thompson also fell in a loop of Republic of South Africa heavyweight title-holders falling in their first defence of the title.

Gatekeeper

On 7 March 2023, Thompson fought his third bout outside of his home country South Africa to face promising contender Evgenyi Romanov in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Thompson would lose a "dull fight", or rather an underwhelming fight ending with the scores of 73–79 and 74–78 twice. He was later scheduled in a bout against Solomon Dacres on 19 August 2023 in Birmingham. Thompson again lost in an underwhelming fight where Dacres outpointed him in full ten rounds.
On 17 November 2023, Thompson, undoubtedly, suffered his most severe loss yet of his career against decorated Bakhodir Jalolov in Tashkent, Uzbekistan as Thompson endured a first-round knockout after only a minute and ten seconds into the bout, this is also his fourth straight loss.

Rise up the ranks

Thompson vs. Potgieter

After three straight wins against respectable oppositions, Thompson faced Keaton Gomes-conqueror and current South African heavyweight champion Shaun Potgieter on 23 August 2025, Thompson dethroned Potgieter via seventh-round TKO.

Thrilla in Manila: The 50th Anniversary

Thompson was scheduled against reigning WBA interim bridgerweight champion and favourite Georgiy Yunovidov in an eight-rounder scheduled contest for the vacant IBA Intercontinental heavyweight championship in the Thrilla in Manila II undercard on 29 October 2025. Their bout represented the heavyweight division's premise and aspect of the event, commemorating the Thrilla in Manila bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Despite being the underdog, Thompson delivered a dominating and career-best unanimous decision win against Yunovidov, scoring an upset with the scores of 77–75 and 78–74 twice.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
23WinShaun PotgieterTKO7 23 Aug 2025Carnival City Casino, Brakpan, South AfricaWon South African heavyweight title
22Win15–6–1Mussa AjibuTKO3 1 May 2025SunBet Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
21Win14–6–1Alexandru JurUD823 Aug 2024Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
20Win13–6–1Juan RouxUD815 Jun 2024Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
19Loss12–6–1Bakhodir JalolovKO1, 1:1017 Nov 2023Humo Arena, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
18Loss12–5–1Solomon DacresUD1019 Aug 2023Utilita Arena, Birmingham, England
17Loss12–4–1Evgenyi RomanovUD87 Mar 2023DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia
16Loss12–3–1Keaton GomesTKO6, 1:5811 Dec 2022Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaLost South African and African heavyweight titles
15Win12–2–1Joshua PretoriusUD1211 Jun 2022Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaWon South African and African heavyweight titles
14Draw11–2–1Shafic KiwanikaMD613 Oct 2021Mtana Hall, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
13Win11–2Mussa AjibuTKO3 18 Sep 2021Parkview Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
12Win10–2Imani Daudi KawayaUD628 May 2021Next Door Arena, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
11Win9–2Limbani LanoUD69 Nov 2019Turffontein Racecourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
10Win8–2Youssouf Kasongo MwanzaRTD3, 3:0023 Jun 2019Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa
9Win7–2Lebogang MashitoaSD610 Feb 2019Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa
8Win6–2Didier NywembweTKO2 21 Oct 2018Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa
7Loss5–2Akani PhuziKO2 22 Apr 2018Blairgowrie Recreation Centre, Randburg, South Africa
6Win5–1Mduduzi MoyoTKO2 23 Mar 2018Community Centre, Edenvale, South Africa
5Win4–1James KatendeTKO2 4 Dec 2017Emperors Papace, Kempton Park, South Africa
4Loss3–1Akani PhuziPTS622 Oct 2017Blairgowrie Recreation Centre, Randburg, South Africa
3Win3–0Antonello MareeTKO2 9 Sep 2017Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
2Win2–0Tshilidzi MulaudziTKO2 23 Jul 2017Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
1Win1–0Joshua PretoriusPTS426 May 2017Sibaya Casino & Ent. Kingdom, Durban, South Africa

IBA professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Win1–0Georgiy YunovidovUD829 Oct 2025Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, PhilippinesWon vacant IBA Intercontinental heavyweight title