27.03.08 – IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) will next defend his world titles against WBO mandatory challenger Tony Thompson. “The fight will take place this July in Germany,” Klitschko told BILD. Thompson is currently the top American hope in the heavyweight division with a record of 31-1 with 19 KOs. He has 27 straight wins and has been unbeaten for eight years. The winner of Klitschko-Thompson will have a mandatory due around the end of the year against IBF mandatory Alexander Povetkin (15-0, 11 KOs).
A crowd of 3,000 spectators came to Karstadt Sports in Hamburg, Germany to watch world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) and challenger Tony Thompson (31-1, 19 KOs) in an open workout in Germany in a preview and final prep of Saturday night’s IBF/WBO heavyweight championship.
Thompson entered the ring first and began a 15 minute workout. To the surprise of everyone in attendance, as Thompson’s workout proceeded, Klitschko took a seat ringside to watch the challenger in the ring.
Thompson said: “It’s great to be back in Hamburg, a place that brings back great memories because I earned the biggest win of my career here last year against Luan Krasniqi. I won’t go back to the states without the titles.”
The IBF/WBO heavyweight champion was next, and the crowd roared as Klitschko began his 30-minute regimen at Karstadt, the biggest dealer of sporting goods in Hamburg.
Said Wladimir following his workout: “It feels great to fight in Hamburg again. This is the city where I started my career and now I come back as the champion. This is my second home and I won´t disappoint my fans on Saturday.”
The traditional weigh in will take place on Friday, also at Karstadt Sports (Mönckebergstr. 2, 20095 Hamburg, beginning at 12 pm (CET), and open to the public.
HBO Sports will televise Klitschko vs. Thompson on Saturday, July 12, at 4:30 PM/ET, 1:30 PM/PT on World Championship Boxing.