Klitschko vs. Thompson, Boxing (7/12, 4:30PM EST)

[grapevine241]

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO DEFENDS HIS BELTS

Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs), from Kiev, Ukraine, continues his pursuit to the top of the heavyweight division. He scored a unanimous decision victory over Sultan Ibragimov last February to unify two of the world titles in the heavyweight ranks, and now returns to the friendly confines of Germany to face mandatory challenger Tony Thompson.

Washington, D.C., native Thompson (31-1, 19 KOs) is a skilled southpaw who earned his top-rated challenger status with a 26-fight unbeaten streak, and now looks to score one of the biggest upsets in the division in years.



COMPUBOX PREDICTION: Despite the long odds in Klitschko's favor, there are reasons to favor the challenger. At 6-5 with an 81½ -inch reach, Thompson is one of the few opponents who can look Klitschko in the eye, and more importantly, one of the few that has the arm length to jab with him. Plus, he is familiar with overseas travel. Besides serving as a sparring partner for Klitschko and others, Thompson ostensibly earned the title shot by knocking out local hero Luan Krasniqi in five rounds last July at the same arena he will fight Klitschko. Thus, Thompson will not be fighting in strange surroundings. Finally, he has a winner's mindset because he has not lost in eight years and 27 fights.

A big potential negative is Thompson's age (he will turn 37 in October) and the fact that Klitschko is by far the best and most talented opponent he has ever faced. The pressure that comes with fighting the world's best heavyweight before a hostile crowd can also play havoc with his performance. Also, Klitschko has an extremely hard and educated jab and Thompson will likely see more jabs per round than the number of overall punches thrown by Guinn or Timor Ibragimov.

The last time Klitschko fought before his home fans, he impressively dissected Brewster before his onetime conqueror retired on the stool. The positive energy Klitschko will feel from fighting at home - and the desire to reverse the negative press following the Sultan Ibragimov snoozer - will offer him enough fuel to register a more aesthetically pleasing 10th round stoppage, allowing him to once again stand tall among the world's heavyweights.

LIVE on HBO from Hamburg, Germany, Saturday at 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT

[grapevine241]

probably gonna be boring. im picking klitschko, it would be cool 2 have an american champ again though

[Red Falcon]

When's Sam Peter gettin his shot at Wlad? Too much politics in boxing now a days.

[grapevine241]

peter is fighting vitali klitschko instead of wladimir. fuckin bullshit if u ask me. peter pretty much won the fight against wladimir

[Red Falcon]

Originally Posted by grapevine241

peter is fighting vitali klitschko instead of wladimir. fuckin bullshit if u ask me. peter pretty much won the fight against wladimir

Seriously, he is not a deserving challenger at all. From what I hear Wlad's camp always tries to find someone else to fight to avoid a rematch.

[Da 5th Dawg]

Vitalli shits on Wlad.

[DahStoryTella]

itll be a boring fight.

samuel peter will crush wladimir when it happens again though next time they fight

[grapevine241]

did anybody else hear that roy jones wants to fight sam peter after he fights calzaghe?