Tony “The Tiger” Thompson hopes to beat the odds again against #1 Kubrat Pulev

By Karl Freitag
Photo: Team Sauerland

After twice going into hostile territory as a heavy underdog and prevailing against David Price, two-time world title challenger Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs) will try to make lightning strike for a third time in Schwerin, Germany when he takes on IBF #1 contender Kubrat Pulev to try to earn a third world title shot. With the exception of Wladimir Klitschko, no one has beaten the 41-year-old Thompson in well over a decade.

Thompson, who has fought in Germany three times previously, promises excitement and a knockout, “A KO is what you ask for and a KO will be delivered,” he vowed at Wednesday’s press conference. Oddsmakers disagree, making the unbeaten Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs) a healthy -700 pick. Thompson, however, seems to be a live dog at +400.

If he pulls it off, Thompson will earn a shot at the Wladimir Klitschko-Alexander Povetkin winner.

Also featured on the Sauerland Events card are two former world champions who are overwhelming favorites to defeat their little known opponents.

European Champion Juergen Braehmer (40-2, 31 KOs) is a huge -2500 favorite to defeat challenger Stefano Abatangelo (17-2-1, 6 KOs), a +800 outsider, while former Super Six participant Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs) is a whopping -5000 pick to beat Willbeforce Shihepo (20-6, 15 KOs). Shihepo backers can get +1200.