Tony Thompson: “I am going to be heavyweight champion of the world!" - Boxing Interview
 INTERVIEW By Benny Henderson Jr (Feb 9, 2008) Doghouse Boxing
Once beaten heavyweight contender Tony Thompson 31-1 (19) is a man on mission to become heavyweight champion of the world, but for now the savvy southpaw is on hold for any crown filled dreams.
2007 was a great year for the ‘Tiger’ who pounded out wins over Timor Ibragimov (UD 10) and Luan Krasniqi (TKO 5) that earned himself the number one spot in the WBO, then he stopped journeyman Cliff Couser in a stay busy fight. So now the Washington resident in on standby until the Klitschko vs. Ibragimov IBF/WBO
heavyweight showdown coming up later this month to see who is next in his future. No matter whom the victor may be, Thompson envisions himself holding a heavyweight crown sometime soon.
Thompson sat down with the Doghouse and gave his thoughts on his career and what may be in his future, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Your last fight was October of last year, what has been going down in your world since then and when can the fight fans expect your return?
Tony Thompson: Right now I am getting into shape and staying strong working with my strength and conditioning coach. We actually do not know when we are going to return because we are trying to wait for the champions to sort things out so I can get my shot.
BH: You knocked out Krasniqi this past summer in the WBO heavyweight title eliminator and hold the number one ranking. Ibragimov who holds the WBO strap is taking on the IBF titleholder Wladimir Klitschko. If Sultan wins you get a shot at the WBO strap, if Klitschko wins Povetkin gets a shot at the IBF strap. What are your thoughts on that situation?
TT: I think I will probably get the shot first because Klitschko will have nine months to defend against Povetkin if he wins against Ibragimov, and my time for the WBO mandatory is running out so he has to fight me sooner than Povetkin.
BH: What are your thoughts on the Ibragimov vs. Klitschko match-up?
TT: I think it is going to be a good fight and I think Klitschko is going to knock him out late. It is really going to put some clarity in the division. With the belts consolidated they are going to have to give the up and comers a shot.
BH: How would you approach a possible Klitschko vs. Thompson match-up?
TT: I am going to approach it like I approach the rest of them, I have to win I cannot lose. (Laughs) I have been fighting Klitschko since my first fight; they have all been Klitschko to me. I would go in there and do what I have to do and I am confident in my abilities to win.
BH: What statement do you feel you have made about Tony Thompson in the last year or so with wins over Guinn, Ibragimov and Krasniqi?
TT: I don’t know if I have actually made a statement about myself because my team and I have always believed in what I can do. I don’t thinking fighting those guys I have answered any questions, to me they were good fighters but something is always going to be said like he was over the hill, or he wasn’t ready to fight. It wasn’t me being good but it was them not being great.
BH: What are your thoughts on the heavyweight division and where you stand in the mix?
TT: I love the heavyweight division, I think it is overrated with the fact that people are saying that the division is dead, I don’t think that is true. I think if you put good heavyweights in together you will get great fights. But with everybody ducking everybody then it is hard for the heavyweights to shine. As far as I go I know I am top in the world, I do not believe there is anybody out there better than me.
BH: What do you feel are your best qualities as a fighter?
TT: My mind, I might not have the athletic ability of some of these guys or the punching power but if you put my mind up against theirs I am going to win every time.
BH: If you could send out a message to the heavyweight division and the fight world in general what would you say?
TT: I would tell them to get to know Tony Thompson because I am going to be heavyweight champion of the world. I don’t want it to be a shock to anybody or everybody saying that Klitschko wasn’t at his best, just finally acknowledge that I am a very decent fighter and that I can beat these guys.
BH: Anything in closing?
TT: I want to say to the fans that I really appreciate the following and outcry that people think that I needed a shot sooner and deserve a shot. I really appreciate that and this is going to be our year that it comes.
I would like to thank Travis Walker for helping out with this interview and a thanks goes out to Tony for his time and thoughts.
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