Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jessy Ross Thompson, previously seen in the corner of Avery Martin-Duval, Mohamed Soumaoro, Thomas Chabot, Simon Kean, (here) Artur Ziyatdinov, and many others, is now pursuing his career in the United States.
Not one to shy away from any challenge, Jessy Ross Thompson has been one of the most active coaches in the country in recent years. It’s precisely this need for challenge that recently led him to leave the country and settle in St. Petersburg, Florida, to continue his rise as a boxing coach.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, something I’ve always known I would do. I just felt that now was the time,” explains Thompson, who made it official in March 2024, renting out his suburban Montreal home to move to the southeastern coast of the United States with his wife and three children.
“That doesn’t mean what we do in Canada isn’t good, especially in Montreal. In fact, it would have been very easy to stay here, living in my beautiful house and my gym where I have about thirty clients. But in the United States, the pool of boxers and opportunities is much larger. For me, it was a no-brainer not to wait and stagnate in coaching,” explains the cornerman, who had already been working there sporadically since 2020-2021.
Now working full-time, he collaborates with coach Rick Carorongan, particularly in the corner of the world title contender ‘Hot Rod’ Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs). The Serbian-born American has just scored his biggest career victory on March 13 by stopping Sullivan Barrera in the 10th round. It was his fifth consecutive win since a loss in 2019 to Artur Beterbiev. Another name to remember: Damazion Vanhouter (5-0, 3 KOs), seemingly destined for a bright future at 175 pounds…
‘Born for boxing’
To solidify the foundations of this significant step, the coach in his early thirties first honed his skills in Quebec, for nearly thirty years.
“You’ll interview a lot of people who will tell you that the sport found them, that they walked into a gym and fell in love with boxing. For me, it’s a bit different; it’s as if I was born for boxing. My whole life, my youth, my journey, led me to boxing,” explains Jessy Ross, whose father, Neil, took him to the gym of the legendary Russ Amber at the age of seven.
In parallel to this, from ages 5 to 23, he also played football, ultimately for the Concordia University Stingers, where he studied physical conditioning. In a similar vein to his fellow coach Samuel Décarie-Drolet, his studies were primarily aimed at enhancing his boxing skills and his ongoing quest to “bring out the best in people.”
In this regard, he’s a natural.
Take the test and talk to him for an hour. The conversation will seem casual, but you will mysteriously feel like running 10 miles in the midst of a storm right after the interview…
The III Commandments
There’s no miracle recipe for being a good coach. It’s more of the opposite, as the strength of a great cornerman lies in their ability to adapt to each athlete.
However, from all that Jessy Ross Thompson has learned, including from Russ Amber, three main pillars stand out.
Technique: “It’s the mechanics of boxing: how to turn a punch, how to snap a shot, how weight transfer works, where your hands should be placed […]. It’s almost an art for me. I’m very much a perfectionist when it comes to the cleanliness of boxing, not just fighting.”
Flying-coaching: “because coaching isn’t just about applying a textbook in the gym; it’s about being able to think in the moment. In Montreal, Marc Ramsay, it’s one of his great strengths to know what to adjust in 50 seconds. It’s also true in any situation: you’re in the kitchen, the fire is hot, and you have to make a decision, will you take control of the moment?”
Professionalism: “The other element I learned a lot from Russ is pushing yourself in boxing. Not just being a coach, but being a cutman, getting on the mic, starting your company… and in everything you do, being a professional who protects and respects his boxer as much as you respect boxing,” he asserts…
“It’s not an easy sport, it’s even very dangerous, so you can’t afford to cut corners.”
Any examples?
“When it comes to work, professionalism, and respect for the sport: Lucian Bute is a good example, both in the ring and out. In terms of courage and athleticism: Jean Pascal. Pure technique? Artur Ziyatdinov is really technical. Even Avery Martin-Duval, when his mindset is in line, he’s one of the most complete boxers I’ve worked with. And then, David Lemieux, he’s probably the hardest hitter,” he lists.
And for the future?
Two names are added to the list when asked who the next boxers established in Quebec will be to become world champions.
“For me, it’s really just Jhon Orobio and Christian Mbilli.”
“Orobio really has a lot of tools, and Mbilli is simply an animal. Some say it could be complicated for him against certain guys, but I think in general, it will be much more complicated for others than for him.”
As for his own Quebec future, Jessy Ross Thompson asserts that with his visa and his children enrolled in school, he’s in Florida for at least a few years. However, his door will remain open to his compatriots.
“Jan Michel-Poulin came [in anticipation of his fight on March 23], and if others want to try something different, they will always be welcome,” concludes the Quebecer, living an awakened American dream under the Sunshine State sun.
Cornerman, the full series
Cornerman, part I: the 12 tasks of Marc Ramsay
Cornerman, part II: the ‘Mike Moffa’ way
Cornerman, part III: Samuel Décarie-Drolet, the boxing teacher
