John (Spider) Thompson was born on Jan. 28, 1931. The son of a steelworker, he grew up on Buffalo's East Side with his sister and two brothers. John started boxing at age 15 (in 1946) at the YMCA on Michigan Ave. where he won two boxing tournaments before deciding to go to Singer's gym for training. At Singer's gym, he met George Lampshire who would become his manager. When John was sparring in the ring one day, Jack Singer was watching him along with reporter, Joe Alli. Jack was so impressed with his quickness in the ring that he said, Look at him, you can't catch him, he's like a spider. Joe Alli would put him in the papers under that name and it stuck with him from that day on.

Spider started in the 112 pound novice class and then moved up to 118 pounds where he won the 1947 Golden Gloves Championship here in Buffalo. He eventually moved up to 126 pounds and won the National Golden Gloves Featherweight Championship in 1948 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Spider turned pro in 1949 after an impressive amateur career of 150 wins and 8 losses. He was never knocked-out as an amateur or pro.

As a pro, Spider said he learned alot from Willie Pep, IHe invited me up to Connecticut one time to help him train for his rematch fight with Sandy Saddler. I stayed there for two weeks and after that I had enough.

In 1950, Spider had thirteen fights, winning nine of them with six knockouts and one draw. The toughest fight he recalls was against Armand Savoie from Canada who went on to become champion of Canada.

Be retired from the ring in 1951 with a pro record of 17 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws. He worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. and other steel plants around Buffalo before retiring in 1962.

Spider and his leading lady, Doris, are celebrating 25 wonderful years together. Spider also has one son, Van, and four grandchildren. He enjoys being retired and is proud of having been a boxer as it taught him many values in life. Tonight, we are very proud to honor John (Spider) Thompson for his achievements and contributions to the sport of boxing as we induct him into Ring #44's Boxing Hall of Fame.