Wladimir Klitschko-Tony Thompson

This fight is going to happen next week and I got to wondering, if Wladimir demolishes Thompson in the first few rounds is he going to get any respect for doing so or is it going to be a hollow victory much like his win over Ray Austin?

I would like to think since Thompson has only 1 loss (and that was a decision loss before he was anything big) and since Thompson has victories over Krasniqi, Guinn, and Timor Ibragimov that if Wladimir KO's him early then he should get some good credit but then again those guys aren't top rated fighters, Krasniqi is still a C level guy.


I don't think Thompson really did enough to earn a shot but at least he's getting one and hopefully he gets a good paycheck from the ass whupping he's about to recieve.

Thompson is a solid challenge.

If Wlad KOs Thompson early, I give him full respect. I fully expect a night of the jab from both guys though.

It's an easy fight for Clitschko, but hopefully Thompson connects with that crystal jaw and we all get a good laugh.

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Originally Posted by bcollins

Thompson is a solid challenge.

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Thompson is a skilled boxer... But I still give Wlad a win.

Yea he should get respect if he get's him out of there period. Thompson is a good fighter with some craft, and probably the best fighter Klitschko has fought that can match his size. A 6'5 cagey southpaw is not the opponent you'd expect Wlad to take after his stinker with a much smaller southpaw in Ibragimov, it does make me wonder if there is just some glaring stylistic flaw that Wlads camp saw in him? Still, I'm going to say he should get props for an impressive win of any sort.

Thompson doesn't have much power....he's crafty and he presses his fight on the opponent but Krasniqi is the best guy he has fought.


I think Wlad fighting a taller southpaw is a bonus...Sultan made the last fight boring because he was in a crouch waiting for a Wlad right cross to miss and Wlad wasn't about to give him that opening.

Tony is all heart and has come to this level against all odds but he's going to get his ass handed to him, when the biggest power puncher you've fought is Vaughn Bean and he's the ONLY fighter with over 20 KO's on his record and then you get thrown in with Wladimir Klitschko who has 44 legit KO's vs big time competition.....it's going to be a blood bath.


I think maybe Manny wants Wlad to learn to lead with the right cross more and Tony is certainly a guy you can do that against....he let Krasniqi hit him but Luan isn't a big power guy so Tony had better be prepared for sharp accurate power punches.

I voted for the last option. I can't say I know much about this Thompson dude.

Me too...I know Thompson is good enough to beat Krasniqi but the last guy to do that (Lamon Brewster) KO'd Luan and got his ass handed to him by Wladimir

Personally, I'd like to see Wlad become busier, and continue taking on all comers in the division. He's gonna have to wade through a lot of "crap" before he can get to the fights that will help cement his legacy. With his attitude of always wanting to improve, who knows how far Wlad can get in the all-time big picture.

Wlad wants more belts I can bet you that...I think he'd enjoy a rematch vs Sam Peter but we have to see what Vitali does

I think it'd be pretty cool to have the Klitschkos as dual champs in the division. Obviously, they'd never fight each other (this ain't tennis, ala the Williams sisters)... but they could probably team up to dominate the HW division for awhile.

Heard this guy is good but sure Wald will still win it though.

I voted No. Thompson is not at all great. I like the guy because he is a local fighter who has a solid skill set, but I cannot imagine him as heavyweight champion.

I want to say that Thompson is your average contender but I don't want you to think he is along the lines of Minto and the like. Tony "The Tiger" is a bit better than that because isn't just a whirlwind of blind power punches.

Wlad should walk through this guy with ease since he can do everything Thompson can, only better.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

This fight is going to happen next week and I got to wondering, if Wladimir demolishes Thompson in the first few rounds is he going to get any respect for doing so or is it going to be a hollow victory much like his win over Ray Austin?

I would like to think since Thompson has only 1 loss (and that was a decision loss before he was anything big) and since Thompson has victories over Krasniqi, Guinn, and Timor Ibragimov that if Wladimir KO's him early then he should get some good credit but then again those guys aren't top rated fighters, Krasniqi is still a C level guy.

I don't think Thompson really did enough to earn a shot but at least he's getting one and hopefully he gets a good paycheck from the ass whupping he's about to recieve.

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Thompson is a skilled guy, goo jab and has a long reach. I think if he boxes as well as I've seen from him he will give Wladdy a few things to think about.
If Wladdy sparks him out he deserves a lot of credit for it IMO.
An anyone who asks who is Tony Thompson clearly hasn't seen him or followed the div. he's a mandatory so that's that. :rolleyes:

I like Thompson, he's got some things going for him but he's probably just too outgunned power and speed wise to win.

Thompson seems to put himself in situations where he should be paying for the mistakes he made but has never had to...look at the Krasniqi fight and how he lets Luan back him into the ropes and then Luan just doesn't know what to do with him and lets him off the ropes....if Wlad gets Tony's back on the ropes it's goodnight sweetheart!


Tony is going to have to think some way to beat Wlad and I honestly can't help him because as BG said "Wlad can do everything Thompson can do only better".

I think Tony is a good fighter and would give any of the other title holders a tough time but not Wlad.....Wlad has fought a hell of a lot of lefties, Byrd X2, Sanders, Sultan, and now Thompson....that's more lefties than anyone else I know of

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

I voted for the last option. I can't say I know much about this Thompson dude.

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Neither do I but it would be good to some new face emerge on the HW horizon.

Im always cautious when I see a heavyweight with a good record. It just means he has been over protected .

Id prefer it if he has mixed with decent names even if he lost just to get the experience. Theres a danger it may be another Calvin Brock type of fight

I went for the second option. I think Thompson is a legit top 8 fighter, proabably higher if he could prove it against someone, certianly higher level than Austin. TT's a tall guy but he doesn't fight tall, from what i've seen he doesn't use his jab to maintain distance and seems happy to play inside against shorter fighteres who you'd think he'd be comfortable keeping on the outside. Perhaps he'll utilise a different startegy next week (to be honest he'll have to since Wlad won't want him anywhere near him) and will have worked on landing the longer shots in training, plus his footwork is a little ponderous.

Ironically, Wlad may get more credit if he's sloppy and ships a few punches, I don't think many people question his ability, but if he could show that he can win a close fight with a decisive finish he'll answer more questions.

Personally I don't think this will be a good fight.I believe Thompson decent pop but he is in way over his head here.I give him alot of credit for taking this fight but on that night it's all Klitschko with an easy win.

Wlad listens to the fans and clearly appreciates them in a manner some top level fighters (Floyd Mayweather Jr.) do not.

That being the case, Wlad is going to try and erase the Ibragimov fight from everyone's minds with this fight and I think it's going to be similar to the Ray Austin fight...I don't know how Thompson's chin is but when Vaughn Bean is the biggest power puncher you've fought (and the only fighter with over 20 KO's on his record) then one has to believe that once Wlad hits you it's going to be a brand new feeling.


I have Wlad by KO/TKO 2-4...I would especially like to see Wlad get a 1st round KO since vs lefties you need to throw the right cross early and often.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

Me too...I know Thompson is good enough to beat Krasniqi but the last guy to do that (Lamon Brewster) KO'd Luan and got his ass handed to him by Wladimir

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But you could also say it the other way around. That Brewster KO'd Luan and Wladimir. That last fight of Brewster's convinced me he just wants to be a family man and he just was looking for a paycheck. When you talk about wanting to have something left for the kids... it's time to get out.

thompson 6'5 southpaw with skills i think not many top contenders want nothing to do wth him

but if klitschko ko him early i think it e impreesive

It would have been great if Tony could have been reintroduced to us before the Klitschko match. Hopefully ESPN will rebroadcast some of his fights. I've never seen him before.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

Wlad listens to the fans and clearly appreciates them in a manner some top level fighters (Floyd Mayweather Jr.) do not.

That being the case, Wlad is going to try and erase the Ibragimov fight from everyone's minds with this fight and I think it's going to be similar to the Ray Austin fight...I don't know how Thompson's chin is but when Vaughn Bean is the biggest power puncher you've fought (and the only fighter with over 20 KO's on his record) then one has to believe that once Wlad hits you it's going to be a brand new feeling.


I have Wlad by KO/TKO 2-4...I would especially like to see Wlad get a 1st round KO since vs lefties you need to throw the right cross early and often.

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I can't imagine Wlad will get rid of him that quickly. Even if he is motivated to erase the Sultan fight from people's minds, it's not in his nature to come out and throw caution to the wind. He may let his hands go more and we'll certainly see more straight rights, but he's going to take a few rounds to figure out Thompson. Thompson is no Ray Austin. He can box and he has some defense. Wlad isn't going to because to come out and catch this guy flush with a lead right in round 1.

I don't see Wlad getting rid of him before 7 or 8. He's going to need to set up his shot. I predict it will happen much like Brock and Byrd.

The situations Thompson put himself in vs Luan are situations Wlad would get a KO out of....sqaring up, getting turned into the ropes, keeping his guard low and also far apart....Luan connected with some decent shots but Luan doesn't have Wlad's power and when Wlad lands it's going to be a lot different than anything Tony has ever seen before

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Originally Posted by Lyle

The situations Thompson put himself in vs Luan are situations Wlad would get a KO out of....sqaring up, getting turned into the ropes, keeping his guard low and also far apart....Luan connected with some decent shots but Luan doesn't have Wlad's power and when Wlad lands it's going to be a lot different than anything Tony has ever seen before

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Sure. Wlad will catch him doing something like that at some point, but I don't see him doing it that early. Also, Tony didn't really fight Luan as defense oriented as he can be. He had taken a lot of flack for not taking chances and not going for the KO. Thompson was trying to send a message in the Krasniqui fight and KO'd him in 5. I think he knew he could takes some changes against him. I don't think he will do the same against Wlad.

Wlad has become such a patient fighter and I think Thompson is smart enough not to do anything stupid early. All credit to Wlad if he pulls it off in the first 3. If he does that, he's putting everybody on notice.

Personally I couldn't care less of the result, i'm just happy it's being shown on free to air tv here in Aus. Channel 10 at 6am EST, plus in probable HD it is a first for Australia hopefully it continues ;D