13 years ago today: Wladimir V. "Dr. Steelhammer" Klitschko vs. Anthony Tyrone "Tiger" Thompson II

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IB's scorecard:

1st 10-9 Thompson
2nd 10-9 Klitschko
3rd 10-9 Klitschko
4th 10-9 Klitschko
5th 10-8 Klitschko
6th TKO

Score at time of stoppage: 49-45 Klitschko (official judge Dave Parris also gave Thompson round 1, but curiously gave Klitschko a 10-8 round in the second - which neither of his peers did - to reach a 49-44 score. The other pair both had it a 50-44 shutout with a 10-8 scored only in the knockdown round...)

Here's my call, from the original RBR, of the finish:

Fun times. That might have been my last major RBR before @LilButt came into the world a few weeks later.

Klitschko and Thompson had first locked up earlier in the former's unified IBF/WBO/IBO reign in 2008 in Hamburg-Altona, in what is now "Barclays Arena", formerly "O2 World Hamburg", but originally (and still as of Klitschko vs. Thompson I) known as Color Line Arena. I'm going to give you a moment to let that marinade... a white Slavic giant defended the world heavyweight championship of boxing against an African American challenger, in Germany, in a venue called Color Line Arena. Imagine hopping in a time machine, going eight decades in reverse, and reporting that news to literally anybody on earth.

Anyway, in that first of their July battles (the 17 year anniversary of which is this coming Saturday), the visitor from the USA was riding an eight year undefeated streak of 27-0 (19) into the ring looking to dethrone a man for whom Thompson had frequently served as sparring partner. He was a +450 underdog, but surprised most observers and gave a decent account of himself versus a Wladimir Klitschko that had already exorcised his Lamon Brewster demons (avenging his then-most recent loss; the only loss Klitschko ever avenged) and was beginning to gain recognition as improving & maturing into a refined and nigh-unbeatable machine at the zenith of his stewardship under Emanuel Steward. Thompson officially won two rounds on two judges' cards with his awkwardness, size, and wiliness - but you could make a case for him winning three of the completed ten (1st and 6th for sure, and maybe the 4th). In the process he managed to land a ton of shots - more than any of Klitschko's other contenders in this period - and blackened the champion's eye before finally succumbing in the 11th.

The rematch took place at what then was called Stade de Süisse, and is now hilariously renamed Wankdorf Stadium. WANKDORF.

Thompson's underdog status at the bookies had tripled since four years prior - now he was a prohibitive +1250. Stakes were also higher - Klitschko had added the Ring Magazine and WBA belts to his collection. Thompson hadn't been slacking, however - scoring five stoppages in a row to earn his redo. He came in ranked #10 by Ring Magazine, and #2 by the IBF (but elevated to mandatory by default when "Fast" Eddie Chambers was unable to meet him in an eliminator due to spinal injury).

Once again, the opening round went Thompson's way - but on this occasion it would be all downhill thereafter. Still, doing aught but get shut out by Klitschko before he knocks you out circa 2012 is a badge of honor. As challengers go, I'd rate Thompson - even in the rematch where he did not quite as well as in '08 - over Leapai, and probably also Wach and Pianeta even if they did come into their attempts unbeaten (neither has a remote case for deserving a single round). That puts this among the last "very good" victories of Wlad's career...with only Povetkin and Pulev (and maybe Jennings) at higher value to come.

As for the cagey southpaw from DC, he actually managed to hang around for another four years in the limelight - taking on world ranked heavyweights on internationally televised cards eight consecutive times after the Klitschko rematch and winning half of those contests. His most enduring moment of public endearment lay ahead of him - telling a crowd that he planned to break his wife's hip celebrating a stoppage of David Price. Legend.

 

Yeah, took up the sport at 26 completely by chance. True story: his car insurance agent met him in person and said "hey you, big fella, come out back and check out my gym behind the office" and guided him to a 13-3 record in the amateurs.