Second chance for Thompson

Wladimir Klitschko will make the next defence of his heavyweight titles against former victim Tony Thompson on July 7.

'Tiger' to face Klitschko in Switzerland

Wladimir Klitschko will make the next defence of his heavyweight titles against former victim Tony Thompson on July 7. Klitschko, the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion, beat the American in 2008 with an 11th round stoppage after dominating the fight. And 40-year-old Thompson has hardly been proactive in his desire to return to the top echelon, winning just five fights in the intervening four years - all via stoppage against sub-standard opposition. Even so, the veteran represents a step up on Klitschko's most recent opponents - with former cruiserweights David Haye and Jean-Marc Mormeck failing to trouble the giant Ukrainian. And Thompson did pose Klitchsko some problems in their first contest - 'The Tiger's height (6ft 5in) causing the champion to box more conservatively than ever. Chris Arreola, who has re-dedicated himself after defeats to Vitali Klitschko and Tomasz Adamek, is reported to be next in line for Klitschko jnr later in the year.