John Thompson warns Liam Smith he is an artist not just inside the ring but out of it ahead of WBO light-middleweight title fight

  • Liverpool's Liam Smith and America's John Thompson fight on October 10
  • They contest the vacant WBO light-middleweight title at Manchester Arena
  • Thompson makes his living as a fighter as well as a painter
  • Miley Cyrus commissioned him to do a painting for a book signing

By Declan Warrington, Press Association

Published: 16:31 EST, 1 September 2015 | Updated: 16:32 EST, 1 September 2015

Liam Smith will be fighting an artist when he challenges America's John Thompson for the vacant WBO light-middleweight title at the Manchester Arena on October 10.

Liverpool's Smith can become the first of his respected family's four boxing brothers to win a world title but, in Thompson, he must overcome an opponent with an altogether different and unexpected skillset.

Thompson, who has won 16 of his 17 professional fights, losing the other, also makes money as a talented artist. In recent years he has painted for both the WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward and musician Miley Cyrus, and he continues to consider requests.

American John Thompson (left) makes his living in the ring and with his other passion, painting portraits 

American John Thompson (left) makes his living in the ring and with his other passion, painting portraits 

Thompson takes on Liverpool's Liam Smith for the vacant WBO light-middleweight title on October 10

Thompson takes on Liverpool's Liam Smith for the vacant WBO light-middleweight title on October 10

John Thompson paints a portrait of himself draped in title belts ahead of his Manchester Arena bout

John Thompson paints a portrait of himself draped in title belts ahead of his Manchester Arena bout

A watercolour self-portrait painted by Thompson 

A watercolour self-portrait painted by Thompson 

'I started boxing at the age of four, my father got me into boxing,' said Thompson. 'I'm also an artist outside of the ring, just as well as I am inside of the ring.

'I like putting things on the canvas. I'm a painter. I use acrylic, oil finishing... you can actually make requests on my Instagram [account]. My art Instagram is apollo_picasso.

'I've made quite a few dollars as far as art goes. I did a surprise painting for Andre Ward for his birthday about two years ago, I did one for Miley Cyrus, I did one of [president Barack] Obama. I did quite a few paintings.

'I painted a picture for [Cyrus'] book signing, I met her in New York.'

The fight between Smith and Thompson is in contention to top the bill at the Manchester Arena after WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee's bout with Billy Joe Saunders was postponed after the challenger suffered a cut eye while sparring.

The fight between Smith (right) and Thompson is in contention to top the bill at the Manchester Arena after a cut to Billy Joe Saunders postponed his challenge to WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee's title

The fight between Smith (right) and Thompson is in contention to top the bill at the Manchester Arena after a cut to Billy Joe Saunders postponed his challenge to WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee's title

Some boxers aren't exactly oil paintings, but Thompson really is in the artworks he creates
The finished product of the above effort from Thompson

Some boxers aren't exactly oil paintings, but Thompson really is in the artworks he creates himself 

Thompson has been commissioned by the likes of Miley Cyrus and painted this portrait of Barack Obama

Thompson has been commissioned by the likes of Miley Cyrus and painted this portrait of Barack Obama

Smith - whose older brother Paul has twice unsuccessfully fought for the WBO super-middleweight title and whose other brothers, super-featherweight Stephen and another super-middleweight, Callum, are also expected to challenge for world titles in the future - expects to defeat Thompson on October 10 and for his brothers to follow his lead.

'I'm going to be the first world champion of the four of us but I won't be the last,' he said.

'Good on [Thompson] for having other things in life. I got onto him, he was having a bit of a joke and likes canvasses and stuff like that, but that's not going to work on October 10.' 

Liverpool's Smith is aiming to become the first of his family's four boxing brothers to win a world title

Liverpool's Smith is aiming to become the first of his family's four boxing brothers to win a world title

 

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