British heavyweight veteran James Thompson (20-14-1NC) has revealed that his rematch with American Bobby Lashley (13-2) is back on and scheduled for Bellator 145 on November 6 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Thompson has not competed since last year on June 6 when the rejuvenated ‘Colossus’ made his Bellator debut with a first round TKO victory over Eric Prindle.
The Bristol man defeated Lashley via unanimous decision under the banner of Super Fight League in Delhi, India, and a rematch was expected to take place on the anticipated “British Invasion” card of Bellator 134 back in February, however, injury forced Lashley to withdraw. The bout was rescheduled for Bellator 138 on June 19 but this time it was Thompson who fell victim to an injury. Since then, the 36-year-old has faced hurdles both physical and mental, but shared a heartfelt message via social media when announcing his return.
“It’s been over a year since I last fought. In that time Colossus 2.0 entered the world, with Colossus 2.2 in the works. I’ve missed fights through injury as have my opponents, but then I got fat and depressed and managed to extinguish that spark that lit the fire that has kept me going for 13yrs in the toughest sport in the world.
“I lost myself which has been a trend over the last 6yrs (in varying degrees) and I isolated myself from friends and family because I was ashamed at what I’d become. A gambling bullshitter. That’s the truth. I was about to throw the towel in BUT (of course there’s a fucking but, the hero of the story always comes back;)
“I knew that my Roccolo would look at his dad and follow me and since I wouldn’t lead my worse enemy down that well worn road of destruction I’d be fuck if I’m letting my Roccoloco even consider looking that way, so something had to change and that thing was me and it had to change for good this time, because I’m simply getting too old to keep getting chances
“Even though I haven’t fought in a year, I’ve been fighting my demons head on and because you’re reading this you know I’ve won. Now I want to help people with there demons but that’s for later.
“Now that the Colossus is demon free and back to feeling COLOSSAL, I need to get back to me (I know how that sounds) and do what I do which is write an over long status and FIGHT.
“As you can see I’ve got the status bit down and the fighting on it’s way. I’m very lucky person in many way and it’s no different with my career. While I’ve been busy grappling with the horned beast of temptation and all thing fucked up I’m rank no 1 in the UK (I don’t consider this true till I come back and win my next fight) and I also have some massive fights on the horizon.
“SO (well done for getting this far) I’M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE MY NEXT FIGHT WILL BE NOV 6 TH l and I’ll be fighting Bobby Lashley in a long over due rematch. As I’m writing this I’m weak and unfit but the fire is back and stronger then ever and because of that I promise anyone who’s reading this that the man you see step back in the cage will be a man fighting with a re-ignighted passion and I’m I prepared to give it all, I’m mentally prepared to go deeper than you can imagine as it will come back to me many times over . I’m going to have my t-shirts and shit sorted so people who want to support me can this time and my book and other unfinished projects will be finished as soon as I get home from my victory.
“So to sum up I’ve got my shit together thanks for your patience. On Nov 6th I’ll give you a fight to remember.”
Photo by Jorden Curran
