By Dan Ambrose: Heavyweight contender Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) is now the IBF mandatory challenger for IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) according to Dan Rafael of ESPN. Eddie Chambers has reportedly opted not to face Thompson in the IBF eliminator.

This means that after Wladimir faces and beats overmatched challenger Jean Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KO’s) on December 10th, Wladimir will then be fighting Thompson next. Wladimir already stopped Thompson in the 11th round three years ago in 2008. It was arguably the hardest fight that Wladimir has had in the past six years. However, Thompson has gotten older, slower and Wladimir has improved since their fight three years ago.

Thompson, 6’5″, has the size to give Wladimir problems, especially with his excellent jab and southpaw stance. But Wladimir knows how to beat Thompson quickly by going after him with power shots. When Wladimir let Thompson hang around last time, he made the fight much harder than it should have been. As soon as Wladimir finally turned up the heat on Thompson in the 11th he quickly took Thompson out.

Wladimir vs. Thompson is a better fight than the Mormeck bout, but still not one that will interest boxing fans. It’s too soon for Wladimir to be fighting Thompson again, and Thompson has done little since his loss to Wladimir aside from beating a handful of 2nd tier heavyweights. Thompson is a cut above 2nd tier opposition but that’s not saying a lot. There is a wide gulf between Wladimir and Thompson in the way of talent.