The 26-year-old Thompson (9-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Buffalo, was a standout amateur who was rated as high as No. 2 in the country. A five-time New York Golden Glove and three-time Empire State champion, "Lonnie B" turned pro in 2009 but his career was kick-started last November, when he signed with manager, Tim Ziccardi, and added former world light middleweight title challenger Ross "The Boss" Thompson (no relations) to his corner as chief second.

"We have very high hopes for Lionell," promoter Adam Harris (Hennessy Sports) said. "He's a solid boxer-puncher who lives in the gym. Nobody works harder than this kid and he now has a great team behind him in Tim and Ross. His addition to an already great boxing card insures that it'll be a night to remember for boxing fans."

Since teaming-up with Ziccardi and Thompson, Lionell is 5-0 with four knockouts. "I've known Lionell since he was 16," Ziccardi remarked. "I've always respected him as a person and fighter. We agreed to do this at the highest level and to fight often. He's already had five fights this year, not including his Oct. 22 fight, and he had one scheduled bout fall-out the day of the fight back in January. His boxing IQ and talent levels are higher than most and his work effort is the highest. He went running after his fight against Angel Gonzalez. Sometimes, Ross has to take his gym bag away, but he still shows up at the gym (Ross Thompson Gym in Buffalo).

"Boxing isn't a sport to him; it's a lifestyle. He eats clean and Friday and Saturday nights he's watching boxing, not going out. He prides himself as a throwback fighter who is always ready to fight. Lionell Thompson was born to box."

Thompson will fight Oct. 22 in a six-round fight against an opponent to be determined.

He signed a long term promotional contract with Hennessy Sports in October 2011