Yuriy Nuzhnenko, interim WBA welterweight world champion: «The fight was no walkover but Wladimir was heading it for the victory. By the middle of the bout Klitschko adapted to unconventional stance and awkward style of his opponent, found his rhythm. As a result by the 11th round Wladimir managed to wear out Thompson completely and the fight was finished with its logical ending – Klitschko’s victory by KO. By the way Tony often left his liver exposed and had Wladimir landed more body shots the fight would have been stopped even earlier».


Vyacheslav Uzelkov, WBA Inter-Continental light heavyweight champion: «I believed that the fight would have ended even earlier then it happened. I never give forecasts in boxing; however, inwardly I was sure that Klitschko would win by KO in the first half of the bout. It is difficult to say whether Wladimir together with his trainer planned to go to final rounds or it happened contrary to their initial plans and due to Thompson’s efforts. In order to know it for sure it is necessary to spend some time inside the camp and to watch the training process from inside».


Valery Brazhnik, WBC CIS and Slovenian Boxing Bureau (CISBB) welterweight champion: «During first four rounds Wladimir had no advantage over his opponent – it was clear that Thompson appeared to be very awkward adversary and at first Klitschko was rather constrained and willing too much to finish the fight with just one punch. In the first half of the bout both fighters’ actions were too chaotic. Closer to the middle of the fight Wladimir felt more at ease, stopped putting all his strength into every punch, switched on his footwork, began moving much more, began regular using of his jab and powerful right. The second half of the bout went on under Klitschko’s complete control and knockout was a logical end to it».