Klitschko vs. Thompson: Complete Guide for Fight-Day Rumors and Buzz

When world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO) squares off with Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO) for the second time in their careers Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET, the plan will be for the defending champion to send a message to anyone that thinks he can stand toe-to-toe with the Klitschkos.

That message will be sent via a nasty mid-round KO.

The 40-year-old Thompson is a microcosm of what the heavyweight division has become. There is simply no one left for the toughest pair of brothers on the planet earth.

After Wladimir knocks out Thompson, who is next?

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

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

Watch: EPIX Channel

Live Stream: EpixHD.com (U.S.)

Latest Buzz and Rumors

Sports agent Andre Johnson is there live with a picture of the stare-down before Saturday’s main event:

"

Thompson vs. Klitschko stare down!! yfrog.com/eso8pvkj

— andre johnson (@amjallday) July 3, 2012"

Washington Post sports writer Gene Wang talked on Twitter about the odds on this fight and how a Thompson win would shock the world:

"

DC heavyweight @tiger_thompson looks to "shock the world" as 50-1 underdog vs Wladimir Klitschko today: wapo.st/NKwt3A #boxing

— Gene Wang (@gene_wang) July 7, 2012"

Klitschko told BoxingScene.com that this rematch isn’t the fight he wanted:

"

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 yet fought. But I have a job to do.

"

Popular radio show Ring Rust Radio tweeted that Saturday night is turning into a great fight weekend:

"

Between Klitschko vs. Thompson in the early afternoon and #UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen at night, #SaturdayNight is alright for fighting!

— RingRustRadio (@RingRustRadio) July 7, 2012"

Prediction: Klitschko via seventh-round KO

Despite having a good showing in their first matchup and having a five-fight winning streak that features all knockouts, the southpaw Thompson has little to no chance against the much more talented Klitschko.

Wladimir comes into this fight on a 15-fight winning streak that spans over eight years; that is the kind of heavyweight domination that is rarely seen in the sport of boxing.

If Klitschko can adapt to Thompson’s left-handed style and start landing his big shots at will, there is little doubt that Thompson will be hitting the canvas before the night is out.

I would consider Tony Thompson very lucky if he makes it out of this fight with a decision loss.

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