Career
Thornhill also held the Lonsdale belt for a short stint during his career. Thornhill started boxing at the age of 12, he went on to be an England international at the age of 18. Thornhill had 80 bouts as an amateur, winning 71 of them.
He boxed for Higherside A.B.C, Street Helens Star A.B.C, then Transport A.B.C where he met his trainer, George Vaughan, who carried his career through to the paid ranks when Thornhill turned 24.
Thornhill turned professional in February 1993 at the Epic Leisure Centre, Ellesmere Portuguese, Cheshire, England. In his debut Thornhill defeated Sheffield"s Brian Hickey with a fourth round knockout.
Thornhill fought five world champions during his career: Justin Juuko-WBO World title holder (for the Commonwealth title), Michael Gomez-WBU World title holder (for the British title), Scott Harrison-WBO & WBC World title holder, Nicky Cook-WBA World title holder, Stephen Foster-WBU World title holder. Thornhill"s first title fight was against southpaw Des Gargano.
Justin Juuko came next for the Commonwealth strap.
Thornhill was stopped in the eighth round. Having gained valuable experience from the Juuko fight, Thornhill took on Dean Pithie for the intercontinental WBO super featherweight title. Thornhill knocked Pithie out in the eighth round.
The British super featherweight title was next.
Michael Gomez was the opposition, and stopped Thornhill in the second round. Thornhill faced fellow Liverpudlian Richie Wenton for the British featherweight title.
Thornhill had to much for Wenton and he failed to come out for the 9th round. Thornhill got another go at the British and Commonwealth titles this time back up at super featherweight.
Against Scott Harrison Thornhill fell short again and was stopped in the 5th round with a devastating left hook to the body.
Nicky Cook and the World boxing Foundation (WBF) intercontinental title was next for Thornhill but it came to no avail as he was stopped in the 7th round. The last fight of Thornhill"s career came against Stephen Foster for the BBBofC English featherweight title. Thornhill was stopped in the ninth round.
After the decision was announced, Thornhill announced his decision to retire from boxing.
