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.
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After Wladimir knocks out Thompson, who is next?
Where:ย Stade de Suisse Wankdorf in Bern, Canton of Bern
When:ย Saturday, July 7 at 3:00 p.m. EDT
Watch:ย 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 Saturdayโs main event:
"Thompson vs. Klitschko stare down!! yfrog.com/eso8pvkj
โ 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
โ Gene Wang (@gene_wang) July 7, 2012"
Klitschko told BoxingScene.com that this rematch isnโt the fight he wanted:
"I would rather fight someone that I havenโt fought, but I have no choice. I have to defend my titles. I think that to fight Tony Thompson is not an easy job. Itโs not a vacation fight, itโs going to be challenging and tough. If you ask me if Iโd rather fight Tony Thompson or someone else, Iโd choose the fighter I havenโt 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!
โ 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 Thompsonโs 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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