For the first six rounds, Tony "The Tiger" Thompson seemed to be giving his opponent more than he bargained for, but from the seventh on, it was all Wladimir Klitschko, who ended the contest with a solid right hand in the 11th round to retain his WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight championships at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Both men suffered cuts throughout the contest, but after a Klitschko body-head combo late in the sixth, Thompson seemed to wilt and Klitschko took complete control which led to the knockout at 1:38 of the round.
With the loss, Thompson falls to 31-2, 19 KO's and the loss breaks Thompson's 27-bout winning streak. Klitschko is now 51-3, 45 KO's.
Tiger gave a game effort (only the 5th opponent to take Wlad to 11 or 12), especially in the first half, but after that, it was all Wlad :(
ReplyDeleteI did not think his corner helped him, they tore him down and did not boost him up from the 4th or fith round on.He was doing well against the body and could have done better if he kept that attack going.It was a brave effort.
ReplyDeleteBrad
It looked as though when they got tangled up early on, Tony hurt his knee.
ReplyDeleteBrad - I think his corner told him exactly what he needed to hear. The first few rounds were going his way. I agree he needed to stay to the body because it was wearing Klitcho down. At one point, he told his corner "trust me, I got a plan", but I'm sure they had a game plan developed before the fight. May have been a different outcome if they had. I think his corner gave him good advice telling him around the 8th that he HAS TO KO TO WIN.
Klitcho admitted after the fight that Tony gave him more than he bargained for, but I agree with Emanuel Stewart that Klitcho's experience was the difference. Tony just didn't have enough at the end of the fight.
To me the worse part of this is that Tony showed the world why a lot of heavyweights don't want to fight him. He has a very hard style to conquer. That may have been his only shot after working so hard for 8 years. I hope not. Good luck Tony.
Meant to say in last comment may have been a different outcome if he had stuck to game plan.
ReplyDeleteTony showed himself extremely well with his toughness against the best heavyweight in the world and as a person to anyone who watched him fight and listened to his interview. Although he has a style that is awkward, southpaw and few people want to fight him, it would seem likely that HBO would be glad to have him back on.
ReplyDeleteKlitcho's brother is the best heavyweight in the world.
ReplyDeleteHe retired Lennox Lewis
The biggest fact in this fight was that tony allowed Klitchko to lean on him and push him down every time they got close or he allowed him to grab on &tie his arms up.
ReplyDeleteThis was for the Heavyweight title of this planet and the bottom line was that Thompson wasn't prepared
for this kind of fight.
He should have been taught a few tactics in case something like this happened.
Tony thompson appears to be the most
pleasant and likeable person that I have seen in boxing. What a credit to the sport.
I believe that if Tony gets a look at the tape of the fight that he would agree with what I have said about the fight and that he would fight alot diffrent if they went at it again.
Mr Thompson is a credit to the sport and to humanity.
The Gripster
Tony is a remarkable man. With just a few amateur bouts and starting out at 27 he did what I've never seen done. His body is not in it's prime but the will of this guy should be used as a tool to inspire young boxer. Proud of the fighter and proud of the man. Coach Hal
ReplyDeleteTony's corner gave him the wrong instructions. Adrian Davis was needed that night. The crew Tony had were acting like it was party time instead of fight time. The LA Times has a story in the sports level section making fun of Tony's corner and the foolish dance moves in the dressing room. I wish these local boxers would take this stuff serious ans stop acting so immature. It's emmbarrassing to us all; especially the ones who are rooting for Tony.
ReplyDeleteWell I think he'll round out the rest of his career as a gate-keeper in the heavyweight division, but I can't see him getting another title shot. Still a fantastic run for him, and I hope he enjoys the check he gets for the fight.
ReplyDeleteTony,
ReplyDeleteWe were all pulling for you, I'm sorry things didn't work out. It was very thrilling seeing the cameras follow you from the locker room to the ring. If you would have been able to connect with one right hook, I know that punch would have turned the whole fight for you.
If you paid attention to the fight commentary, you would have heard Lennox Lewis say that he also dances before a fight to get loose and relaxed. It worked out for him pretty good. Don't take everything at face value. Some athletes are more laid back and relaxed before a fight.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your future, Tony. I hope you get another good opportunity - you deserve it.
Yes Mr. Lenox Lewis may have danced too, but Lenox had top flight trainers in his corner.
ReplyDeleteWake up fool and smell the coffee.
Now Tony the Tiger will be back and will fight for a worls title again; however, Emanuel Stewart will be in his corner and they will take things serious this time.
Tony will be the champ!!!
Yes Mr. Lenox Lewis may have danced too, but Lenox had top flight trainers in his corner.
ReplyDeleteWake up fool and smell the coffee.
Now Tony the Tiger will be back and will fight for a words title again; however, Emanuel Stewart will be in his corner and they will take things serious this time.
Tony will be the champ!!!
Tony,
ReplyDeleteIncredible effort brother. You & the crew made us all proud as hell. The whole team conducted themselves like gentlemen & professionals. A true credit to the sport of boxing you are. Let's hope you get another shot!
Mike Sawyer
Hey Mr.Sawyer-the guy is 100% right on this one.
ReplyDeleteHey Mike, pucker up real big now
ReplyDeleteand give everybody a big kiss in the right spot.
That would be the big brown star.
I gave Tony the first 2 rounds. He had Vladmir clenching after he landed some straight left hands. Not sure what happened to Tony after the 2nd round and not sure what his "plan" was. He pretty much stopped throwing hard punches after the first few rounds. I thought he could have beat Vladmir if he would have kept it up.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand guys like Thompson. You come all the way to Germany and have one shot at the heavyweight title. Why not leave it all in the ring? You have nothing to lose.
mike you dont fight any more, but you try to keep the name going.
ReplyDeleteThe great welterweight/junior middleweight/middleweight/
ReplyDeletesupermiddleweight/lightheavyweight/
and maybe even heavyweight if you catch him coming from the buffet,will live on forever as the most almost local famous fighter in the area.At least he use to have some hot women come to the shows when he fought.
Go ahead Mike your alright with me buddy boy.
Signed mikes friend
The fact of the matter is Thompson had the physical characteristics to beat Klit. easily. but as Teddy Atlas would say, ment-lee (mentally), he broke down. Barry Hunter couldn't have put it to him any more clearer... Shame he couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.
ReplyDelete