by James Slater – In breaking news that has exclusively been given to this writer, the June 19th heavyweight clash between Tony “The Tiger” Thompson and Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya, has been called off due to a rotator cuff injury suffered by former world heavyweight title challenger Thompson. The scheduled ten-round bout was set to go ahead on the under-card of the Andre Ward-Allan Green “Super-Six” bout in California. Calling up Team-Thompson for a pre-Ahunanya fight interview, I was informed by Thompson himself that he has unfortunately had to withdraw from the important heavyweight clash. However, the 38-year-old southpaw, who has won three-in-a-row since his 11th-round stoppage loss to Wladimir Klitschko, made it clear he will be back in action as soon as is possible..
Here is what Tony had to say this evening:
“I’m doing well, my brother, but unfortunately we ain’t gonna be having that fight anymore. I tore my rotator cuff. I’m not even sure how I did it. I felt fine until I got home, when it started hurting me.
“I will be back after rehab, hopefully in July or August. “
My planned pre-fight interview now going a different route, I was pleased when Team-Thompson member Gregory McCormick came onto the phone to fill me in further.
Here is what he had to say:
“We’re not sure if Friday will wait for us or not, but we’ll come back against a credible name just as soon as Tony is fully fit. We’re still going to do big things. Tony, as soon as he’d mended, will go back to doing what he does best: taking people out. He’s won three fights by KO since the loss to [Wladimir] Klitschko and he’s annoyed that the so-called top-named U.S fighters won’t go near him. We’ve listed these guys before, and we can no longer call them out – you know the fighters I’m talking about, who won’t go anywhere near Tony.
“You can cross Chris Arreola off the list, as well as Cedric Boswell and Fres Oquendo. Tony’s ready to fight anyone who is willing to face him, and “look out” is all I can say to the other heavyweights once he’s fully healed. You know, [Wladimir] Klitschko taught us something (in stopping Thompson) and now we’re just concentrating on getting back to full health and fighting the top guys again. Tony can’t go in halfway ready.
“The only real top guys who will be willing to fight us are the Klitschkos, and we’re ready for that this time.”
It will be interesting to see who Thompson does fight next (if Ahunanya will not wait), but one thing is clear: “The Tiger” ain’t done roaring yet. Not by a long shot!