By Bob Sims

Vincent Thompson works six days a week managing an auto detailing shop in Tacoma when he's not working out at the boxing gym, sparring, hitting the heavy bag, lifting weights and taking long runs.

"There isn't any boxer out there training like me," Thompson said. "There's no one out there who has the quickness and stamina I do. I'm hungry."

Thompson's single devoted goal is to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Thompson, 27, a Federal Way resident, is on his way to achieving that goal. He is
undefeated in four professional fights, including one by knockout.

He will part of the undercard of the Battle at the Boat 78 at the Emerald Queen Casino Aug. 28, fighing Everett's Vili "The Tongan Warrior" Bloomfield (9-4-1).

Thompson said Bloomfield beat him twice in youth boxing and "has been running his mouth" about beating him again.

"I'm gonna embarass this dude (Bloomfield)," Thompson said. "He's going to throw in the towel. He just doesn't understand what is in store."

Bloomfield has won most of his fights at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, Wa., where he had a particularly tough match last year. He was fighting Montanan Bridger Bercier and was hit by a "wicked right hook" that almost knocked him out in the first round. He kept his wits and outlasted Bercier in four rounds.

Similarly, Thompson has experienced the same shock in one of his earlier fights. "I got rocked with a left hand," Thompson said, referring to his third fight with Enrique Lobato. "I shook it off and kept in the game. I finished it."

Thompson, who was born in Fort Bragg, N.C., said he has drawn his tenacity and strength from his father, Calvin, 52, formerly in the U.S. Army. "He's my trainer and dad. He's my best friend in this game."

It was Calvin who convinced his son to take up boxing at such a late age. Thompson gave up boxing when he was 13, talented enough to win the Tacoma Golden Gloves at 8 years old.

"He asked me whether I wanted to play on streets or box," Thompson said. "He told me I already know what to do; I've done it before."

Thompson, who attended Decatur High but did not graduate, said he got caught up in the system. 'I was a follower not a leader."

He changed his life around and got his GED in 2007 when he was 24 years old. He has since been working in the auto-detailing business.

Thompson has a nine-minute video on youtube entitled Vicious Vincent Thompson the future heavyweight champion of the world, showing his first sparring session with a professional fighter. Thompson shows the rawness of a beginning boxer, but one can tell the speed and movement are there.

"I'm going to be stingin' on him all night," said Thompson of his fight with Bloomfield. "Speed kills."

Cruiserweight Brent Urban (6-1-2-1, 4 KOs) gets main billing in a fight sponsored by Brian Halquist Productions. It was part of the hoopla that is also featuring Playboy Playmates on "Fight Night at the Playboy Mansion."

Tickets are $25, $40, and $100 for an event that begins at 7 p.m. They are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office (1-888-831-7655) and all Ticketmaster locations.