TONY “THE TIGER”
THOMPSON STOPS COUSER IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TUNE-UP
Photo: Jan Sanders, Goossen Tutor Promotions
#1 RATED HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER SET FOR WBO MANDATORY OPPORTUNITY
VERSUS WINNER OF THE SULTAN IBRAGIMOV-EVANDER HOLYFIELD BOUT OCTOBER 13
Los Angeles, CA (October 2,
2007) – Following his impressive victory
over Cliff Couser last Thursday at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in
Lemoore, California, Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (31-1, 19 KOs) declared
himself ready for his WBO World Heavyweight Championship Challenge early in
2008.
“I'm looking forward to the winner
of (Sultan) Ibragimov and (Evander) Holyfield taking on his mandatory
fight with me," said Thompson, who gives the undefeated Russian
(21-0-1, 17 KO) a slight edge to retain his WBO World Heavyweight Title against
the former undisputed champion in Moscow on October 13.
"I'm eager to prove I’m the
best in the world, and with a victory over the winner, I will have earned my
right as the preeminent belt holder,” said Thompson, who himself has now
knocked out 5 of his last seven opponents and has won 27 consecutive fights
dating back to 2000. “The fans want to see the best heavyweights fighting
the biggest challenges, and I’m the biggest challenge for any heavyweight.”
By virtue of his stunning
fifth-round knockout of Luan Krasniqi in Hamburg, Germany back in July in a WBO
Heavyweight Championship Elimination Bout, Thompson earned his mandatory shot
at Ibragimov’s Title. And, unlike many boxers, the 35-year old Thompson
was willing to risk his opportunity of a lifetime by taking a fight last week
with Couser who was coming off a big upset KO victory over top 10 heavyweight
Monte Barrett.
“I wanted to show my power to the
other heavyweights,” said Thompson. “Barrett had gone the distance with (Hasim)
Rahman and (Joe) Mesi, both big punchers, and was stopped in 7 by (Wladimir)
Klitschko and in eleven rounds by (Nikolay) Valuev. Couser knocked
Barrett cold in two. I just did what I’ve been doing the last eight
years, not letting anyone get in my way of the title.”
“It feels great to know that
Tony’s time is here now, “ said Nate Peake, co-manager of Thompson, along with
NBA star Steve Francis. “The WBO has recognized Tony’s hard work and
willingness to fight anyone, anywhere and we thank them for this hard earned
opportunity.”
In the meantime his promoter Dan
Goossen has been involved in discussions with representatives of the current
champion to finalize the Thompson-Ibragimov WBO Championship Bout providing
Ibragimov is successful against Holyfield.
"I've had many discussions
with Ibragimov's team and they have been very keen in moving immediately
forward with the mandatory fight with a victory,” Goossen
acknowledged.
"Leon (Margules) and Sampson
(Lewkowicz) have always been honorable gentlemen in our past dealings. Of
course, Holyfield could change everything with a performance of a
lifetime. We’ll just have to wait and see who wins.”
For further
information:
Larry Rosoff
Goossen Tutor Promotions
(818) 817-8001