By Allan Fox: Heavyweight contender Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) believes that his fight tonight against IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) will likely be his last shot at a world title when he meets up with Wladimir in Berne, Switzerland.

Thompson doesn’t see it being his last chance due to his age, but rather he sees heavyweight title shots as a rare thing that may not come around again. At 40, it’s unlikely that Thompson will get another shot at a belt unless he stays busy by fighting better quality opposition rather than the 2nd tier opponents he’s been fighting for the past four years since being knocked out by Wladimir in the 11th round in 2008.

Speaking with Epix, Thompson said “I’ve got the experience I need. You can’t get that by any other way but going through the process. yes, I lost but I learned a lot of things from Wladimir…Mostly you have to be more aggressive. Wladimir is the heavyweight champion of the world. You can’t sit back and relax. You have to try and go out there and knock him out. I think me and my team have come up with a great game plan to go in there and be more aggressive and be the boss in the ring and eventually go for the knockout…It’s hard to tell [if he’s improved]. For me he’s had nothing but a bunch of infomercials. They’re not even fights. There just him beating up on some little guy or some little guy running away. It’s hard to tell. He was already a great champion but I can’ really say if he’s improved. You always view it as your last chance to win a title. I don’t care how old you are. If you get a shot at the belt you’d better view it as your last chance because they don’t come along like Christmas. They don’t come along every year. So this is my last chance, but not because of my age but for my opportunity.”

I agree that it probably is Thompson’s last opportunity, and he’s right about the opposition that Wladimir has beaten in the past four years. They’re either scared and running away or simply too small and taking a beating from him. Wladimir hasn’t been in a competitive fight since his last bout against Thompson in 2008. That was a competitive fight with Thompson landing over 100 shots and busting Wladimir up around the eyes. The rematch could be the same unless Wladimir is able to come out on fire this time, which I kind of doubt because that’s not how he fights.