16 years ago
Wladimir Klitschko vs Tony Thompson
Date: 12th July 2008
Venue: Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany
Title: IBF, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles
Promoter: K2 Promotions
Tv: HBO World of Boxing & RTL
Wladimir Klitschko
(
50
-
3
-
0
)
Weight: 241 lbs
Tony Thompson
(
31
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 247½ lbs
On July 12, 2008, at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (241 lbs) successfully defended his titles by stopping former sparring partner Tony Thompson (248 lbs) via 11th-round knockout. The bout, billed as "Time To Pick On Someone His Size," featured two fighters of similar height and reach, with Thompson even holding a slight weight advantage.
The fight proved to be more challenging than expected for Klitschko, who had to overcome a second-round head-butt that left both fighters bleeding from cuts near their right eyes. Despite the cut, Klitschko's corner managed to control the bleeding, allowing him to continue the fight effectively.
Thompson had his moments throughout the bout, landing several good shots, notably a right hook in the fifth round that caused swelling around Klitschko's left eye. However, Klitschko remained ahead on the judges' scorecards and began to take control of the fight in the sixth round, landing two solid right hands.
After the seventh round, the champion appeared to tire, but he came back strong in the 11th, charging out and landing a devastating right hand that sent Thompson to the canvas. The referee counted out the American challenger at 1:38 of the round, securing Klitschko's ninth consecutive victory and fifth defence of his IBF title.
The judges' scorecards at the stoppage were 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92, favouring Klitschko. The Ukrainian champion improved his record to 51-3 with 45 knockouts, while Thompson's 27-fight unbeaten streak, dating back to 2000, ended, leaving his record at 31-2 with 19 knockouts.
Although not flawless, Klitschko's performance showcased his ability to overcome adversity and finish a formidable opponent. The sellout crowd of 15,000 in Hamburg, where Klitschko began his professional career, chanted his name in appreciation of the victory.
The champion expressed his satisfaction with the win and acknowledged the challenges he faced in the ring, stating, "I'm still world champion, but it's about three titles now -- that means everybody that fights me is extra motivated. I haven't had a black eye for a long time; now I really look like a fighter."
Looking ahead, Klitschko mentioned potential future opponents, including mandatory challengers Alexander Povetkin and David Haye, who was in attendance for the fight. The victory over Thompson solidified Klitschko's status as the dominant force in the heavyweight division and set the stage for his future title defences.
Wladimir Klitschko vs Tony Thompson on YouTube
