Heavyweights In Hamburg - a title fight

Tonight in Hamburg Germany the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, Wladimir Klitschko will defend his title from the challenge of 31 -1 with 19 KO's, American challenger Tony "Spare Parts" Thompson. This one might be a War, but it could be a Snore.
Some would question the younger Klitschko's claim to the universal heavyweight title, but current facts would prove them wrong. The only really strong claimant to the throne is "The Nigerian Nightmare" Sam Peter, who is monstrously strong and punches like a mule --- but even though he knocked Waldimir down three times in their one outing so far --- he did so little else that the Ukrainian Giant still clearly garnered the decision. Its a rematch that has to happen, but so far --- 1-0 Klitschko.

Kiltschko holds both the IBF and WBO titles, so the only other "heavyweight champion" is WBA champ Ruslan "WHO?" Chagaev who seems perpetually involved in a feud with the Russian Titan, 7 foot plus Nicolai Valuev. This feud seems to extend itself on and on like a WWE Professional Rasslin' feud and has kept both of these Eastern European fighters unknown and unwanted the west.

That leaves the Ukrainian Machine, Waldimir Klitschko as the man at heavyweight, no matter how much he resembles Ivan Drago of Rocky 4. Trainer Manny Steward improves Klitschko's techniques every time out, as Steward is the master of teaching long armed punchers, as evidenced by his super champions Tommy Hearns and Lenox Lewis. It looks like the, 50 - 3 - 44 Ko's, younger Klitschko will stay on top of the heavyweight heap until a real Rocky comes along, but unfortunately that probably won't be Tony Thompson.

The six foot five, 36 year old father of seven has a good record and hasn't lost a fight since his lone set back was a four round decision at the beginning of his career, but his 31 wins were mostly against unrecognizable fighters. Yes, Thompson and his manger have a point that many top fighters seem to have ducked Tony, but the facts are still that his best wins were against Vaugh Bean, who was 44 -3 at the time, but quickly faded into oblivion after facing Thompson and Dominick Guinn, who had great things expected of him, but apparently stayed in the amateurs too long and just never made it as a pro. Thompson won't have that problem as he never boxed until the age of 26 -- ten years ago.

Waldimir was an Olympic champion and his big pro wins have been against the likes of former heavyweight title holders, Chris Byrd and his cousin Lamon Brewster, top contender Calvin "The Boxing Banker" Brock and the afore mentioned WBC champ, Sam Peter. He's an inch and a half taller than Thompson, which the 6'5" challenger can't be too used to and the Ukrainian has a much larger knock out percentage.

Thompson is a southpaw and Waldimir has a history of having trouble with southpaws --- but Tony just doesn't have the one punch pop of either a Lamon Brewster or a Cory Sanders. Thompson tends to fall in close, giving away his reach while he wears his opponents down with an incessant barrage of short hooks. If he can get inside on Klitschko and stay there and work for a while he Might have a slim chance of wearing the Ukrainian Machine down, but its more likely that he will be stung by Wald's long left on the way in and then impaled on Wald's crushing straight right. Even if Tony could hang on for the full 12 rounds, his chances of getting a decision in Klitschko's adopted home town of Hamburg are about as good as the chances of George W. Bush getting a third term as president. Therefore, Wald the Impaler will be the Heavyweight Boxing Champion until the new Rocky comes along.

Good Night - Good Fight,
Frank "The Snake" Allen