Paul Thompson and Muhammad Ali
Brisbane’s Paul Thompson (74) is an Australian boxing enigma.
A former Australian light heavyweight champion, Thompson’s career has spanned decades, during which he has played pivotal roles as a trainer, manager, referee, and technical official on the world stage.
He has represented Australia in various capacities at three Olympic Games and boxed and officiated at four Commonwealth Games, earning a deserved reputation as one of the most experienced and credentialled boxing officials in the country.
Thompson’s career includes serving as President of Boxing Queensland, a board member of NSW Boxing, and officiating at ten Oceania Championships.
He also managed the Oceania team at a world championship held at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.
And his connections to boxing royalty run deep—he’s spent time with heavyweight legends Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield.
“The Masters Games almost stand alone as an event where boxers enter the tournament simply to enjoy the sport,” Thompson said.
“It’s one of the only tournaments where experienced boxers and those new to the sport glove up, have a good time, don’t get upset with decisions and enjoy a beer together afterwards.
“Some are there to bring back old times in front of their children or grandchildren or friends who may not have seen them in their prime, which is something no other tournament offers,” he said.
Thompson knows all about enjoying those special sporting moments.
He nominates marching out in the opening ceremonies of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games and the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games as career highlights alongside spending many hours “talking about life” with the great Ali.
“With Evander Holyfield, I was allowed to fly to his home in the USA and convince him to come out to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, something that none of the organisers thought possible.
Events Management Queensland (EMQ) CEO Ben Mannion said the boxers and all participants across the 46 sports are in great hands.
“Competitors in our 13th biennial event hail from all corners of Australia and more than 30 countries with entries on track to surpass the 13,591 who competed in 2022,” Mr Mannion said.
“And one great thing about our event is that every sport and competition is managed by convenors and local clubs that really know how to organise a great tournament,” he said.
The 2024 Pan Pacific Masters Games run from 1-10 November with the boxing tournament getting an early jump, taking place from Friday 1 November to Sunday 3 November at the Lonestar Tavern at Mermaid Waters.
Entries are now open for men and women in the following classes:
Bantamweight (50.1 kg – 57.5 kg) – Female only
Lightweight (57.51 kg – 65.0 kg)
Welterweight (65.1 kg – 72.5 kg)
Middleweight (72.51 kg – 80.0 kg)
Cruiserweight (80.1 kg – 87.5kg)
Heavyweight (87.5 kg – 95.0 kg)
Superheavyweight (95.1 kg –102.5 kg)
Openweight (102.5+ kg)
The event will officially kick off from 1-10 November with an opening ceremony on Saturday 2 November at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre followed by entertainment from the Australian Rock Collective.
The Pan Pacific Masters Games are organised by Events Management Queensland and are proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
