Wladimir Klitschko vs Tony Thompson: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More

In what is starting to become an annual tradition, Wladimir Klitschko will put five different heavyweight championships on the line this Fourth of July weekend. This Saturday, he'll face Tony Thompson for the second time. 

Klitschko is fighting for the second time in 2012; his first bout was a March knockout of Jean-Marc Mormeck. He is riding an eight-year winning streak, covering 15 fights. He is the most dominant heavyweight in the world right now. 

Thompson obviously has his back up against the wall, though he nearly took the champion the distance in their first fight in 2008. Thompson is on a five-fight winning streak himself, with all five victories coming via knockout. 

Where: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf in Bern, Canton of Bern

When: Saturday, July 7 at 3:00 p.m. EST

Watch: EPIX Channel

Klitschko's Keys to Victory

Overpower the weaker challenger; go for the KO in the middle rounds

Despite being able to withstand the rigors of a 12-round match, Klitschko's obvious strategy will be to use his overwhelming size and power to make Thompson as uncomfortable as humanly possible.

In order to do that, Klistchko has to keep Thompson off balance in the early going. By not allowing Thompson to find an opening, Klistchko will be able to take the fight to the weaker challenger and end the fight before the final bell. 

Thompson's Keys to Victory

Confuse the champion; economize punches and attacks

Thompson has one distinct advantage in this fight: he is a southpaw. Despite what some might believe, fighting against an opposite-handed opponent is a challenge in itself. 

Getting Klitschko on his heels early by utilizing his southpaw style will give Thompson the advantage he needs to win this match. He can't go all-out right away if he wants to win. By saving stamina for the later rounds, Thompson will have the opportunity to score a shocking knockout. 

What They Are Saying

Klitschko may not have a problem defeating Thompson again, but the heavyweight champion did tell Boxing Scene that he would prefer to be fighting someone else right now. 

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"I would rather fight someone that I haven't fought. But I have no choice, I have to defend my titles. I think that to fight Tony Thompson is not an easy job. It's not a vacation fight, it's going to be challenging and tough. If you ask me if I'd rather fight Tony Thompson or someone else, I'd choose the fighter I haven't fought yet. But I have a job to do."

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Normally this would be great trash talk, but for some reason, no one has really latched onto it. Perhaps that is just because Thompson does not strike anyone as the best challenger for the title. 

Prediction

Klitschko has been put in a position to win. All signs point to him walking out of this fight with a victory, then moving on to Chris Arreola later this year. 

Klitschko wins via 10th-Round TKO

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