Isiah Thomas (boxer) facts for kids

Isiah Thomas, born on January 30, 1989, is an American professional boxer. He is known for his skills in the boxing ring. Before becoming a professional, he had a successful amateur career. He even won a gold medal at a special boxing competition for young athletes.

Who is Isiah Thomas?

Isiah Thomas is a talented boxer from the United States. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. He competes in the cruiserweight division, which is for boxers weighing between 175 and 200 pounds. Thomas is a southpaw, meaning he fights with his left hand and foot forward. This can make him a tricky opponent for others.

Isiah Thomas's Amateur Boxing Journey

Isiah Thomas started boxing when he was young. His first fight was in 2002. He quickly became very good at the sport. He won the Junior Olympic National Champion title two times. This is a big achievement for young boxers in the U.S.

Winning a World Championship

One of his biggest wins as an amateur was at the 2005 Cadet World Championships. This was the first-ever Junior World Boxing Championship. Isiah Thomas won a gold medal for the United States. This showed everyone how much talent he had. A famous boxing trainer, Emanuel Steward, even praised him. Steward said Thomas was a "gifted athlete" and would be "the next big thing."

Challenges in Amateur Career

Even with all his success, Thomas faced some tough challenges. He lost a couple of fights to other American boxers in 2006. He also lost to another well-known boxer, Deontay Wilder, at the 2007 National Golden Gloves competition. These experiences helped him learn and grow as a boxer.

Isiah Thomas's Professional Boxing Career

After his amateur success, Isiah Thomas decided to become a professional boxer. He started his professional career in 2008. He began fighting in the light heavyweight division.

Notable Professional Fights

One notable fight in his professional career happened in December 2015. He fought against Murat Gassiev. During this fight, something unusual happened. Thomas was hit after the bell rang, which is against the rules. Because of this, the fight was ruled a "no contest." This means the fight didn't count as a win or a loss for either boxer.

Isiah Thomas has continued to compete in professional boxing. He has a record of 15 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest. Six of his wins came by knockout, where he knocked out his opponent.