Wladimir Klitschko KOs Top American Tony Thompson
July 12, 2008 by Michael Sedor
Filed under MMA-UFC
Image details: Wladimir Klitschko v Tony Thompson – IBF/IBO/WBO World Championship served by picapp.com
It took 11 slogging rounds but eventually Wladimir Klitschko decided that America’s top ranked heavyweight Tony “The Tiger” Thompson was his for the taking. In the eleventh Dr. Steelhammer upped his output and caught Thompson with a clean right which sent him down for a quick ten count from Joe Cortez.
The win brought Klitschko’s record to 51-3 with 45 of those victories coming by knockout. Thompson fell to 31-2 and will no longer hold the severely devalued mythical title of top American heavyweight. With his win Klitschko retains the IBF, IBO, and WBO championship belts.
For much of the fight The Tiger performed more like a tamed kitten preferring conservative-minded glancing body blows to any demonstrative action. Klitschko’s efforts were securely focused on finding a way through Thompson’s permanently raised gloves. To Wladmir’s credit many straight rights did shoot through steadily inflicting damage.
Both fighters were cut about their right eyes in the second: Wladimir by a Thompson left hook and The Tiger presumably by a head butt. Klitschko’s cut was swiftly tended to and was not reopened for the remainder of the battle primarily because Thompson rarely ventured shots to Wlad’s head. Thompson’s cut was reopened nearly every round by Klitschko’s steady barrage of rights.
Thompson’s frequent body punching while in the clinch made rounds four through six close but after that activity he seemed to shut his offensive attack down. Between rounds he promised his trainer that he had a plan. That plan never materialized.
Late in the tenth Wladimir stepped on Thompson’s toe and accidentally tackled the American into the ring corner. Thompson appeared dazed and hurt. At this point it was clear that his legs were shot and in the eleventh Klitschko took full advantage of his diminished opponent.
Image details: Wladimir Klitschko v Tony Thompson – IBF/IBO/WBO World Championship served by picapp.com
garbage fight thompson clearly laid down he was not even tired he laid back the entire fight.
i anticipated a throw away fight anyhow and tiger sure fit the bill klitschko always hangs his left out like a lance the splen shot is THERE always there yet not one fighter has nailed him on it they always pitty-pat around the head and a few lame body shots.
i would like to see wladimer be tested so far all i have seen are boring stale exhibitions
I wish I didn’t agree with you wild schield. I think Wlad has the talent to be a great fighter but opponents like Thompson, Ibragimov, Brewster, Austin, Brock, and Byrd don’t make for exciting fights and don’t raise his game.
And you’re right, Klitschko always looks vulnerable especially because of the Sanders and the first Brewster fight. There just doesn’t seem to be anyone out there who can take advantage.
Does that mean he’s a a terrific fighter? No. But sadly he is the best heavyweight we have right now.