OVER two years since his last contest, Jordan Thompson is set for a return to action. The towering Mancunian has accepted a surprisingly difficult proposal for what is both his comeback and heavyweight debut.
Thompson, 15-1 (12 KOs), claimed the IBF European cruiserweight title by the skin of his teeth when he was saved by the bell against Vasil Ducar in 2022, but the stoppage of Luke Watkins that followed was a lot more convincing.
Then, when the destructive IBF cruiserweight world champion, Jai Opetaia, was seeking an opponent, Thompson boldly answered the call and made a monumental leap up in levels to challenge for world honours.
However, that decision ended in devastation, as the Australian southpaw brutally beat Thompson from pillar to post until the fight was brought to a close in the fourth round.
Shortly after that tough-to-watch night in September 2023, 6’6” Thompson confirmed that he would be moving up to the heavyweight division, but there has been almost radio silence in the two years since.
Now, in an out-of-the-blue announcement, Matchroom Boxing have revealed that Thompson will end his extended hiatus from the sport and travel to Orlando to take on Cuban southpaw, Lenier Pero, 12-0 (8 KOs), in a debut at heavyweight.
Based in Florida, Pero boasts an impressive amateur pedigree as a two-time Pan American Games gold medallist. Pero represented his historically dominant nation at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, overcoming Guido Vianello before losing out to Filip Hrgovic in the quarter-finals.
Pero debuted professionally in May 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic hampered his progress. Yet, a move to the United States in 2021 has helped ‘El Justiciero’ make a name for himself, discover some momentum and rise in the world rankings.
In his last five bouts across the pond, Pero has scored four knockout victories, three of which came inside the opening round, and the 32-year-old lefty is now ranked as the #4 contender with the WBA as a result.
We can expect Pero to seek another win inside the distance against the inactive Thompson. Still, it remains to be seen whether the move up to heavyweight will birth a more comfortable, durable and unrestricted version of the brave Briton when he collides with Pero on Saturday, November 1.
On the undercard, Orlando native and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Omari Jones, 3-0 (3 KOs), is poised for a fourth outing of 2025, where the super-welterweight prospect will aim to maintain his 100 per cent knockout record.
