KLITSCHKO READY TO PUT THOMPSON'S EXCUSES TO REST
By John McCormick

Nearly four years to the day, Tony Thompson will get another crack at the heavyweight championships that eluded him in July 2008, when he steps into the ring for as rematch with Wladimir Klitschko next Saturday night. Thompson may be more motivated than ever, while Klitschko has been uncharacteristically outspoken in the weeks heading into this bout. Thompson claims that his first performance- an eleventh-round technical-knockout loss, was due to a knee injury.

The champion disagrees. "He got knocked out, that’s it," claimed Klitschko during a media conference call yesterday. "In boxing it’s always tough, you break your hand, you tear your muscles or tendons, which can happen in a fight and I have experienced it in my life multiple times. Nobody’s interested in that. Everyone is interested in the end result. Nobody is interested in what was in between.”

Despite Thompson's excuse, Klitschko and his brother Vitali, who together hold all the major championships, have been unfairly criticized for being too dominant in the heavyweight division. Many wondered why Klitschko would provide a rematch with the mandatory challenger Thompson due to his one-sided win four years ago, particularly since Thompson has not defeated any true top ten contenders since. In fairness, to Thompson, he did stop Chazz Witherspoon in 2009 and Maurice harris in 2011, but is that truly enough to deserve a rematch? Klitschko is unhappy with facing Thompson again and admitted he was hoping for a challenge that he hasn't faced yet. "I would rather face a fighter that I haven't already fought,but I have no choice. I have to defend my titles and to fight Tony Thompson is definitely not an easy job" said Klitschko.

Klitschko, holder of the IBF, WBO, IBO and WBA super championships, is tired of Thompson's excuses and is ready to put them to rest next Saturday. “My suggestion to Tony Thompson: Suck it up. Bite your lip, and just move forward. If your performance was bad, you are getting another chance. Give respect to the champion. There’s a reason the champion has been there for many years. It’s not an accident."

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