By Dan Ambrose: Previous Wladimir Klitschko knockout victims Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) and Eddie Chambers (36-2, 18 KO’s) have signed for an October 28th International Boxing Federation (IBF) eliminator bout with the winner becoming Wladimir’s mandatory challenger.

It’s more than a little disappointing that Wladimir will be facing one of these guys again because neither of them were competitive against him, and that’s not likely to change in a rematch.

Chambers, 29, has fought only once since being badly knocked out in the 12th round last year in February. The smallish 6’1″ 209 pound Chambers was knocked completely out by Wladimir in March 2010 after getting tagged with a hard left hook to the head. Chambers stayed out of the ring for 11 months until coming back in February and beating Derric Rossy for the second time in his career.

Strange choice of an opponent for Chambers, but a strong sign that he was playing it safe after the knockout loss. Chambers will have been out of the ring for another eight months by the time he faces Thompson in October. Chambers is fighting about as often as a heavyweight champion despite being little more than a challenger. I guess you can’t blame him because if it’s this easy to get another title shot after fighting twice, he can make career out of this – take on a Klitschko, get knocked cold, sit for a year, fight a couple of times, and get another shot at the title.

Thompson, 39, has won five consecutive fights since being stopped by Wladimir in 2008. However, he’s been facing 2nd tier opposition and not taking any chances. He looks slower, and more hittable than ever. However, 6’5″, he can be a problem for a lot of heavyweights to deal with. Thompson defeated Maurice Harris in the 3rd round in May in looked good.