Tony Thompson give us your analysis of him as a fighter

Well first we would have to evaluate his previous fight with Wla..... Ummmm, No, he doesn't.

 

he's got a laid back, hard to hit style, but he lacks speed and punching power, plus, his age of 40 isn't helping his stamina and conditioning

Wlad KO's him in the 8-10th round

 

He''s essentially a big, tall, rangy, and sometimes very physical southpaw who beats guys using a combination of tricky boxing skill and awkwardness. He knows how to use his size advantage.

In the past, Thompson won fights by controlling the open ring with his long right jab, and by using follow-up left crosses. He was never any better than an average (at best) puncher, but obtained KO's by punching in combination.

Bigger and heavier than most guys, Thompson could always clinch and manhandle opponents on the inside. Even so, he was never really an infighter. Basically he'd shove guys away if they got too close, then resume pounding them from long range.

Thompson's speed was always fair to good, but not blinding. He could always take a heavy punch, and his defense was generally good. He is known for throwing lots of sneaky punches, using angles that guys don't see.

In his recent string of wins, though, Thompson has looked slower and stiffer than in the past. He's not moving on his feet much anymore. In fact, it's an open question if, perhaps, Thompson has lost his legs at age 40.

Does he stand a chance of beating Vlad? No. Not at all. In fact, evidence suggests that Vlad may blast Thompson out quickly this time, getting the job done anywhere from the 1st to 8th rounds. If goes until the 8th, that's only because Vlad is playing it safe. Thompson will not trouble Vlad in the least this time around.

Nobody can stand stiffly in front of Vlad and expect to survive. Impossible.

 

I'd have to put £330 on Wlad, just to make 30 quid...

 

Just to put things into perspective, what I wrote above is not to suggest that Thompson is bad. In truth, Thompson probably gave Vlad his second toughest career fight (after Haye). For most of the past 5 years, Thompson has rated in the top 7 or 8 heavyweights worldwide, on my list at least. I have always regarded Thompson as close to equal with Arreola for consideration as "America's best heavyweight."

But Tony the Tiger may be reaching the end of the road.

 

Tony Thompson, 6'5'' tall or 1.96 m, rangy ( 81 1/2 inch of reach), sothpaw stance, already 40 and his second title shot at Wladimir, lost twice in 38 fights, the last to Wlad in July 2008, and an early four rounder decision against Kirkland, very slow putting them together and believe or not, based on many fights, rather prefers to fight inside like against Krasniqi ( TKO 5 in Hamburg for the WBO Inter-Continental title) rather than using his reach. Even so, has TKoed 5 out of 5 since his loss to Wlad including Chazz Witherspoon ( TKO 9 in a 10 rounder) and Maurice Harris ( TKO3 in a 12 round IBF HWT Eliminator)... He was stopped in 11 by Wladimir b4 but to Steve Bunce he was absolutely terrible.

 

Tall fighter with decent skill and durability but weak punching power and poor speed, no chance against wlad

 

This in a nutshell

 

The odds are 33-1

You would have to put down £990 to make £30

 

whats tony thompsons best win? case closed

 

TTTT is a diligent fighter. Not wasteful. Has a very effective long southpaw jab. Enough force in his shots to keep most guys honest and break the weaker ones down over time. Very good chin and stamina; hasn't really been in wars or taken loads of damage so he's fresher at an advanced age than some contenders younger by almost half. Excellent ring instincts, and has a very easy time hashing out distance and positioning and how to use his body at any given time in a timely but unhurried manner to never be quite susceptible to that clean a hit. Uses lots of veteran tricks - shoving out to create space, sliding in, shelving his head on an opponents' shoulder while setting up his own shots inside, etc.

Slow as ****, though.

I mean, a small chance. Better than most contenders going. Still a very poor chance, though.

I expect you'll cop some flack for this, a lot of people will want to say Peter I, Chagaev, Byrd or some others (Haye :roll - but honestly a strong argument can be made for it.

 

One thing nobody has mentioned is that Thompson has been a K2 sparring partner in past camps.

Hes probably the more familiar with Wlads style than anyone else.

 

Since the first fight?

 

Well, other than Jhonathan Banks - but I can't imagine Banks ever working his way toward earning a shot. :yep

The only way he'd ever get one is if Wlad threw his buddy a bone by making him an optional defense - and he wouldn't wanna hurt him.