By John J. Raspanti - Wladimir Klitschko (51-3, 51 KOs) retained his IBF, WBA and WBO titles by knocking out Tony Thompson (36-3, 24 KOs) in six one-sided rounds at the Stade de Suisse in Berne, Switzerland.

In 2008, the 6’5” southpaw lasted eleven rounds against the champion.

The 22,000 fans in attendance greeted Klitschko like a move star as he made his way to the ring. Thompson looked calm as he eyed Klitschko. Thompson, 40, came out on his toes in round one. His plan was to keep Klitschko on the end of his jab and stay busy.

Klitschko, 36, used his left like a fly swatter. Whenever Thompson would jab, Klitschko would slap it away. His eyes were locked on Thompson’s chin. Thompson landed a glancing blow at the bell.

Klistchko’s activity picked up in round two. He landed a combination on the awkward challenger. Thompson stuck to his game plan of jabbing and throwing an occasional left hand. The more athletic Klitschko easily avoided the salvos.

By round three, Klitschko was beginning to find the range with his right hand. Thompson had done nothing to earn the respect of the champion. Klitschko, his hands at his sides, advanced forward. His body language indicated he wanted to end the fight. Thompson was doing his best, but he had neither the power nor physicality to hurt Klitschko.

The pattern continued in round four. Klitschko was like a home run hitter looking for a hanging curve. In this case the hanging curve was the chin of the American. The opportunity presented itself in round five. Klitschko unleashed a three-punch combination as Thompson languished on the ropes. The final blow was a heavy right hand. The challenger collapsed in his corner. Thompson bravely pulled himself up, but it was obvious the Klitschko right had taken away his will to fight.

The fight would end a few minutes later after a resigned Thompson moved to the ropes like a man awaiting his execution. Klitschko obliged, landing another combination that felled Thompson. This time” The Tiger” couldn’t beat the count.

The time was 2:56 of round six.

“Thompson was not so easy to box. I'm satisfied," Klitschko said in the ring after the bout.

"I got caught but I'm OK," Thompson said. "He's strong and he's world heavyweight champion for a reason."

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