By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) will be fighting challenger Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) on July 7 in an outdoor stadium in Berne, Germany. Thompson is the mandatory challenger for Klistchko in what will be their 2nd encounter.

“Dr. Steelhammer” dominated Thompson on July 12 in Hamburg, Germany before knocking him out in the 12thth round. Since losing to Wladimir, Thompson has won five fights in a row, all by the KO route. Tony’s current win streak propelled him into his title match with Wladimir.

Thompson’s promoter Dan Goosen had been hopeful of bringing the 2nd Klitschko – Thompson title match to Washington, D.C., which is Tony’s hometown, but Klitschko opted for Germany because of the higher revenue.

Thompson at 6’5 and approximately 248 pounds is roughly the same size as the 6’6” 245 pound Klitschko. He also has a good defense as Wladimir’s trainer Emanuel Steward has alluded to. Looking back at the video of the video of the first Klichko – Thompson fight in 2008 it appears that “Dr. Steelhammer” was even more tentative than he currently is. Apparently at that time he was still haunted by the three KO’s he had suffered earlier in his career.

In addition Klitschko has had four more years to benefit from the teaching and training of Steward, who is arguably the best trainer in the world. The Wladimir Klitschk of 2012 is a much improved fighter from the one who KO’d Tony Thompson in 2008. In addtition Klitschko has fought the best competition available, while Thompson has been content to fight mostly 2nd tier opposition.

Klitschko continues to perfect the technique under Manny Steward’s tutlelage which has made him one of the longest reigning heavyweight champions of all time. Steward recognized early on while working with Wladimir that much of his problem earlier in his career was one of a lack of proper conditioning. With the improvement in Klitschko’s technique comes a vastly more confident fighter.

Thompson on the other hand at 40 years old has most likely seen his better days. The Klitschko camp will analyze both his recent fights as well as the first contest between the two. It is probable that Wliadimir will solve the riddle of Tony’s defense much more quickly than he did back in 2008. With that Klitschko will utilize his left hook this time against Thompson where it was almost non existent in 2008.