In Focus: Capturing the Moment of Impact
Billy Tompkins’ Knockout Boxing Photography

by Vinny Cecolini on Wednesday, May 14, 2014

After developing a reputation for always being in the right place at the right time, sports, music and pop culture photographer Billy Tompkins is now being compared to famed expressionist artist LeRoy Neiman. What’s earned the photographer this honor? What sets him apart from his peers? It’s his distinct style: his keen eye for capturing raw emotion, passion, pain, sweat and determination inside boxing’s squared circle.

A lifelong boxing student and fan, Tompkins looks to capture images that are “poignant and display the ductility of the sport.” Not only does he bask in the in-ring action, but he also revels in the events leading up to and following the bouts. This includes the press conferences and the pre-match weigh-ins, both of which often feature the fighters in tense nose-to-nose stare downs. Still there is one moment Tompkins enjoys most: the fighters’ entrances, which the photographer contends is “the most electric moment of any sporting event.”

Among Tompkins’ growing collection of acclaimed images:

Miguel Cotto vs. Zab Judah: One of Tompkins’ personal favorites, this image finds Judah devastated by body blows with Cotto coming in for the finish.

Victoriano Sosa vs. Miguel-Angel Campos: Both fighters are in stances that perfectly describe the moment: sweat pours from one fighters head immediately after he sustains a devastating punch. The other fighter follows through with his punch.

The Nose Bleed: A gritty, gory, but esthetically enticing visual of a battle-worn fighter being counted out.

Miguel Cotto: Speaking during his post-fight press conference following his hard-fought victory over Antonio Margarito, Cotto bares the cuts and bruises he sustained during the bout. Adding dimension to the print is Cotto’s image on the wall behind him.

 

The Count: The downed gladiator’s eyes are rife with frustration as he struggles to rise. He is determined to get back on his feet, but time is running out. The count continues.

 


Miguel-Angel Cotto vs. Michael Jennings: Cotto has Jennings in the corner and is picking him apart with body shots. As this image predicts, the fight ends soon after.

 

Roy Jones, Jr. vs. Joe Calzaghe: A great fight between two legendary boxers. Welshman Calzaghe triumphs over Jones to continue his undefeated streak.

The Knockout: It’s the moment when nothing else that has occurred during the fight matters. It’s the moment fight fans always hope to witness: when the victor celebrates over the vanquished that lies motionless on the mat.

Pawel Wolak vs. Ishmail Arvin: For both of these modern-day titans, failure is not an option. They have each come too far; trained too hard to fall in defeat. Each combatant has turned a deaf ear to the crowd and now wears invisible blinders that block potentially distracting visual stimuli. For each of these fighters, the only obstacle standing between them and victory is their opponent. Tompkins loves the moment he has captured, which looks like it has been posed for an advertisement. “The lights on the right side add nicely to the visual,” he says.

 

Geraldo Prietos vs. Tommy Rainone: Shot with a 10mm lens from an unusual angle, this unique image captures a punch connecting from underneath both boxers’ arms.

 

What is contained within each print can never be created within a Hollywood film. Tompkins’ photos are not stage. They are unique, real moment worthy of preserving for posterity. And now is your opportunity to add each of these artistic treasures to your collection.

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