Don't know what the belt organizations had him ranked at, but I know that Ring magazine had him ranked within the top 10 and that's good enough to get yourself a legitimate shot at the champ/#1 heavyweight.
I believe he was ranked "American" by every sanctioning body and last time I checked that was reason enough.
he was absolutely gash on saturday night, the fact he's anywhere near a title fight shows how poor heavywieght boxing is at the moment
WBO mandatory. The Ring Top10. Probably the American heavyweight with the best RECENT resume (and no loses).
That was an appalling fight. Thomson just stood there. And occasionally plodded his feet, and threw the odd very slow jab, and very slow, wide right hand. Awful, awful fight. thomson wanted out, you could see it between rounds. I can't believe it took 11 rounds to finish him off. He was truly woeful.
That had more to do with Wlad than anything else...Thompson is a tough southpaw, big and awkward... I don't get, NO fighter has ever looked good against Wlad, except Sanders who simply caught him cold and Wlad never recovered. In his other two losses, he was owning Purrity and simply gassed himself. Same thing happened against Brewster. He was beating him like a red-headed step child and then gassed out. When people look like **** against Wlad, it has more to do with Wlad being TOO GOOD for them.
yeah exactly on the money.he was no where near as good as klitchsko. but he is top world ranked fighter...sadly no top world talent that came with him or world class skills either. he had his shot he beat some good fighters. won it the right way. being american helped him alot though.