By Jason Kim: Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) is arguably the much hungrier fighter going into his bout tonight against IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) at the Stade de Suisse, in Berne, Switzerland.

Unlike Wladimir, Thompson hasn’t made millions upon millions of dollars during his boxing career and he’s not set for life like Wladimir is. However, Thompson can change all that tonight if he beats Wladimir, because a rematch for Thompson will bring him big money and that could make things nice for him financially. Thompson just has to figure out a way to get past the big 6’6″ Wladimir, because it’s not going to be easy. Thompson doesn’t have the main ingredient that past Klitschko conquerors possessed and that’s power.

He’s not a particularly strong puncher. Thompson does have give consecutive knockout victories since his loss to Wladimir in 2008, but those wins have come against 2nd tier opposition and not a top quality fighter like Wladimir. For Thompson to KO Wladimir like he’s done against the 2nd tier opposition of late, Thompson is going to have to come out of the blocks strong and not let Wladimir breath. T

hompson knows that Wladimir likes to fight in a slow and deliberate pace so he’s going to have to heat things up for him by not letting Wladimir rest. The last time they fought, Wladimir was able to clinch all night long in between throwing punches. Thompson had no answer for this tactic, because his inside fighting skills were limited. I doubt that Thompson has improved any in this regard in the last four years, because his weak opposition have caved in so quickly.

Thompson obviously wants to win this fight badly, but he’ll need more than just desire to come out on top against Wladimir. He’s going to need some talent and a lot of heart, because he’s going to get hit with some big shots from Wladimir. If Thompson goes into a shell he’s as good as lost. He’s got to stay on Wladimir and make him expend his energy. Wladimir is coming into this fight at 249.1, which is a career high for him. He usually weighs between 241 to 244lbs for his fights. Lugging around extra weight, even this small amount, could result in Wladimir tiring quicker than he usually does.