Tony Thompson WIns WBC International Title Via Split Decision in Turkey!

Tony "The Tiger" Thompson continues to stay relevant in the heavyweight division.

Tonight in Tekidrag, Turkey, Thompson won a 12-round split decision over Odlandier Solis to capture the vacant WBC International Heavyweight championship.

Thompson (39-4, 26 KO's) won by scores of 115-114 and 115-113.  Solis (20-2, 13 KO's) took one scorecard by a 116-111 score.

Here is the recap from Fightnews.com's Editor-in-Chief Karl Freitag:

The story of this fight was that Thompson fought for three minutes every round while Solis fought in spurts. The taller Thompson came out pumping his southpaw jab in round one. Solis stalked “The Tiger” but didn’t land much. Thompson methodical in his approach, while Solis had moments with short bursts of activity. Thompson was more aggressive in round three and outworked Solis. Neither landed much in a tactical round four. Thompson was busier. Open scoring has Solis up 39-37, 40-36, 39-37 after four. Thompson upped the pressure and had some good moments in round five. Both had moments in round six. Thompson again working harder. Thompson’s offense again more consistant in round seven, Solis scored in spurts. The tactical fight continued in the eighth neither fighter clearly winning.

Scores were announced as 77-75, 77-75 for Thompson, 78-74 Solis after eight. Thompson again busier in the ninth. Solis finally showed some urgency in the tenth, his most decisive round in the fight. Both fighters were more aggressive in the last two stanzas, while still not completely opening up.