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

Post from: EveryJoe

Wladimir Klitschko KOs Top American Tony Thompson

Eromosele Albert vs. James Kirkland
As the opening bell rings Max Kellerman insists that James Kirkland is a fun boxer to watch lauding his ferocity and his urgent aggression. 40 seconds later he knocks Eromosele Albert down silly. Joe Cortez lets the fight continue but Albert never recovers and is dropped for good ten seconds later at 1:06 of Round One. After the fight Kirkland says he wants to “take over the 154-pound division”. Kirkland is now 22-0 with 19 KOs seven of which have happened in the first round. Albert fell to 21-1.

Because of the fight’s abrupt end the HBO announcing team focuses on Kirkland’s trainer Ann Wolfe and her unorthodox methods which they equate to torture. Wolfe counters with “When you play with a puppy it’ll lick you in the mouth. When you come to the gym it’s bulldogs in there; you better be a bulldog or you’ll get ate alive.” The Primm Valley Resort Arena responds with spontaneous applause. It’s officially the night of the bulldog on HBO.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

HBO’s Night of the Bulldog: Ferocious Kirkland