By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) believes that Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) would beat any heavyweight listed in the top ten rankings. That of course excludes his brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO’s). Wladimir maintains that Thompson is the fighter most avoided by other heavyweights.

Klitschko will be shooting for his 51st KO when he tangles with Thompson on July 7 at the Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland. “Dr. Steelhammer”, who has won his last fifteen fights in a row, has ruled the heavyweight division for over six years making his title reign one of the longest in heavyweight history. In his last defense Klitschko scored a 4th round TKO against the overmatched Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-5, 22 KO’s) on March 3.

Thompson has not lost since he was KO’d by Wladimir in the 11th round in Hamburg, Germany in July 2008, winning five fights in a row by the KO route. Thompson is an experienced veteran, who has a way of making his opponents appear to be clumsy. Klitschko trainer Emanuel Steward is of the opinion that Tony will aggressively pursue Wladimir and pose a serious challenge, something that boxing fans have not seen for a while.

Wladimir at 36 is at the peak of his career and has been a dominant champion for several years. He always maintains himself in top physical condition. The key to Klitschko’s success has been the acquisition of Steward who is now in training camp in Austria along with his prize pupil. Steward is one of the few trainers in the history of boxing who have been fortunate enough to have worked with dominant heavyweight champions, not once but twice. Steward also trained undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis until his retirement in 2003.

Thompson at 6’5” and 245 pounds is one of the few opponents Wladimir has faced who will not be at a size disadvantage against the 6’6”, 243 pound Klitschko. Thompson was named Klitschko’s IBF mandatory challenger after Eddie Chambers pulled out of a title eliminator fight with him due to injury.

Some boxing observers question whether of not the 40 year old Thompson can still perform at the level he did in 2008 when he gave Klitschko a decent fight. They point to the fact that most of Tony’s recent KO’s have come against 2nd tier opposition and that his last fight was over a year ago.