Manny Steward On 'The Tiger' Tony Thompson 2012

Manning · Feb 23, 2013

"I think that Tony Thompson of all the guys that we have fought in title fights as champion, believe it or not he was most difficult. We had to lay out four different strategies until we found out the one. We couldnt even lay out a strategy. That only happened with Thompson and with Eddie Chambers.

Thompson was by far the most difficult because of his size, hes left-handed, hes extremely relaxed, its very difficult to hurt him, we couldnt really penetrate him with jabs, the only fighter that Wladimir couldnt hit with jabs. When you hit him with right hands he rolls his body back where you dont really get the full impact. He takes the steam out of the punch and then he walks you down, and hes a little awkward the way he punches, just awkward enough to get you out of your rhythm. So right now Im quite sure with the momentum thats going on in his little DC area with Seth Mitchell and Peterson, so hes probably on a good emotional high right now trying to keep up with the winning spirit that going on there. So I think hes going to be a very difficult opponent, but I think Wladimir has improved a lot and been more active. We realize some of the mistakes we made early in the fight, so were going to start off in a different manner this time and not start off so fast.

I think Wladimir will win again, but Thompson is the one fighter who worries me even though everyone is saying its a rematch and we beat the guy before. But I never even wanted the first fight with Thompson, so definitely we dont want the second fight. Wladimir has the same type of respect and is a little apprehensive going into this fight also. On whether he would have imagined that almost 4 years later to the day that Wladimir and Thompson would be fighting again: Yes and no. I realized that Thompson, outside of Wladimir, could beat almost all of the other heavyweights, and as it turned out thats what has happened. So were once again looking at him. I would say four years ago I was hoping that I would never have to see him again. I can see that! But here he is and were just going to have to deal with it.
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One of his last quotes on the sport ironically.

GazOC · Feb 23, 2013

:good

Lilo · Feb 23, 2013

Good find. Steward said something similar about Chisora didn't he? That he didn't think it was a good fight for Wlad etc. Then Del Boy fights and 'troubles' Vitali.

Prince. · Feb 23, 2013

Amen.

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Manny Steward On 'The Tiger' Tony Thompson 2012

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Manny Steward On 'The Tiger' Tony Thompson 2012

Manning Boxing Junkie Full Member

GazOC Guest Star for Team Taff Full Member

Lilo Boxing Addict Full Member

Prince. 24/7 365 Full Member