Sum up what Thompson has going for him against Wlad

-He has never been knocked down. Although none of his opponents hit as hard or have been as skilled as Klitschko, Guinn can certainly crack. His best hope out of this? Perhaps, and that's a big perhaps, he can whether the storm, keep the pressure on him and hope for a Purrity/Brewster repeat where Wlad destroyed them early, but their iron chins kept them in the fight and saw to a victory by constantly pressuring him. Thompson does throw 50+ punches a round and while he thoroughly lacks power, there is a chance that his pressure gets to Wlad. The fact that Steward made Wlad focuse more on conditioning and stamina rather than weight training as he did pre-2004 makes this a very small chance, but hey i'm trying to make a case for Thompson here.

-Tony has been ranked in the lower end of the ring top10 for a while now and has never been beat. He will be confident.

-Thompson, like all of Wlad's opponents, has nothing to lose. The big pressure will be on Klitschko. The crowd will be massively favoring Wlad, but some fighters thrive on this and it motivates them.

-Klitschko had a nice size advantage over most of his opponents, but not so with Thompson. Of course Austin and McCline, both big men, were thrashed, but it is one thing he has going for him.

-His weird shaped long forehead may distract Klitschko and give him a chance to land his money punch.

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I made a bet that Thompson can stand for the 12 rounds so I hope Wlad is in the same mind as his last fight.

 

I put some vcash down on that as well. Although of course i'm hoping for a knockout.

 

6′ 5″
Southpaw
81½“ Reach
59.38 KO%

That's it bro..
A 59.38% chance

 

I'd also add that he's quite a busy fighter, more than the usual for heavyweights (and particularly a large heavyweight like himself).

He's really getting thrown in the fire here though, he hasn't fought anyone at this level before.

 

Right, i forgot about the southpaw aspect which bothered Wlad in the past. Although it was more the combination of southpaw + power that did it, Byrd didn't get far..

 

i don't see thompson dictating the fight. he can't outjab wlad. so his only chance is a puncher's chance. i already put my money on this fight not going the distance.

 

He really has nothing other than the confidence of being the challenger. Nobody is expecting to come out as the champion and so, there is no added pressure. If any, it's on Wlad to take Thompson out convincingly since his last fight against Ibragimov was lackluster. Finally, Thompson has not been beaten in over 8 years. While Wlad has the advantages and is a huge betting favorite, Thompson can use the confidence and the no respect card to prove something huge on Saturday.

 

Why would anybody bet on a Wladimir Klitschko fight? At any point, the man can be on ***** street and knocked out like he was against Ross Purity. :huh

 

Undefeated for 8 years adds to anyones pshych--even with him throwing in some tomato cans.

 

First off I believe Klitschko wins but anytime he fights you have to be concerned about his stamina and mental fortitude. He just doesn't have that classic fighter mentality.

The biggest thing Thompson brings is his pacing and a calm ring demeanor. If he can somehow manage to avoid being repeatedly on the end of Klitschko's jab and make Klitschko over pace himself he might have a slim chance.

Klitschko still has stamina issues in my book. He has to be very careful with his gameplan. That said I still think Klitschko wins inside the distance. But you can never be totally comfortable with him.

 

I think that the referee will stop the fight saving Thompson from further punishment.

 

Thompson may be the Buster Douglas here...

He hasn't lost in eight years and he actually has beaten several really good opponents impressivly. It MAY be a question of analyzing afterwards "What happened??"

Don't sleep on Thompson...

Wlad HAS TO be favorite, but...

 

Is Thompson actually right handed and fighting as a southpaw or a natural leftie?
His stance may cause wlad problems for a round or 2 but unless Thompson can answer the right hand its will end early probs aboout round 5.
Thompson looks to fight very square and he doesn't have the same kind of run like a dog chasing his tale style that sultan has.
Thompson is a lot more upright and that suits Wlad.
Will be interesting to see if TT can walk through the jab and crowd Wlad if he can thats when the fun starts

 

Thompson really isn't a bad fighter. I'd say he's on par with Ibragimov at least, who i never thought too highly of.

He is a strange fighter, has a good workrate, is a southpaw, comes in good shape, and I think this will help him stay competitive for the first few rounds.

However, Thompson throws mainly arm punches so I really don't see him hurting Wlad in this fight, although anything is possible. He needs to adopt a TOS-type game plan and keep moving around the ring.

But I would make Wlad a 7-1 favorite at least.