KLITSCHKO STOPS THOMPSON FOR 51ST KO
By Rick Evans

Wladimir Klitschko TKO6 Tony “The Tiger” ThompsonOn Saturday at Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland, World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko scored another knockout victory over Tony “The Tiger” Thompson in a bout that was never really competitive. Klitschko was in control throughout the contest, maintaining the edge using lead right hands against the southpaw Thompson early and often. A big right hand from the champion (58-3) put Thompson (36-3) on the canvas towards the end of round 5. Thompson would survive the round, but meet his demise in round 6 when another right hand dropped him in a neutral corner. While he did rise at the count of eight, referee Sam Williams had seen enough and called a halt to the night’s festivities. With the win Klitschko retains his IBF, WBO, WBA super and IBO titles. 

Klitschko improves his record in title fights to 19-2 and only trails Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes in total victories in fights for the heavyweight championship.  No matter what people may think of the level of opposition Klitschko has faced, he is in elite company in virtually every category where you can measure a heavyweight champion.  Not only does his 19 wins rank 4th in total championship fight victories, but he ranks 5th in career knockouts for heavyweight champions. He has more knockouts than Louis, Dempsey, Marciano, Ali, Tyson and Holyfield. He has also defeated every top heavyweight in the division (other than his brother, which both Klitschkos maintain is a fight that will never happen).

After the fight, Wladimir was asked about future opponents and mentioned Robert Helenius and Seth Mitchell by name as possible challengers. While the next opponent for the champion remains to be seen, right now, we have a heavyweight champion who has been as dominant as any in the history of the sport. He is a champion that has not received his just due in the United States, but may be redefining what it means to be the champion of the world because he is as big overseas as any fighter has ever been.  source: epix