Deontay Wilder isn’t the only American heavyweight looking to solidify his position at the top of the division.
Tony Thompson only needed seven rounds combined to beat David Price twice in the United Kingdom in 2013.
Tony Thompson (45-5, 27 KOs) is set to take on Malik Scott (37-2-1, 13 KOs) in a battle of veteran big men October 30 at The Venue at UCF in Orlando, Florida, in a fight airing on Bounce TV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
Thompson, 43, is still going strong after more than 15 years spent clawing his way to the upper echelon of the heavyweight division. Two of his five losses came at the hands of world champion Wladimir Klitschko.
With a win over Scott, 34, Thompson could find himself in line to be another strong American contender to European heavyweight supremacy, along with Wilder, Antonio Tarver, Steve Cunningham, Bryant Jennings and Bermane Stiverne.
"I'm not looking past Malik Scott because he's an experienced and crafty fighter. I think most fighters will stay away from a style like Malik's, but everyone knows I will fight anyone,” Thompson said. "I'll be looking to make a statement against him by pressing the action and keeping him out of his comfort zone."
Scott became one of Wilder’s 34 victims in March last year when he fell to “The Bronze Bomber” 96 seconds into the first round.
"I'm very thankful for this opportunity and ready to put on a great performance," Scott said. "It was exactly one year ago on this date, October 30, that I went to Australia and beat Alex Leapai, and I look forward to getting in the ring and putting on a show against Tony Thompson. Tony is a world-class fighter and a victory over him will lead to bigger and better things for me."
In the co-main event, unbeaten 140-pound prospects Lydell Rhodes (23-0-1, 11 KOs) and Sergey Lipinets (7-0, 6 KOs) will square off in a 10-round bout.
Javontae Starks (13-0, 7 KOs) and Samuel Figueroa (9-0, 4 KOs) will duke it out at 147 pounds in an eight-round bout to round out the card.
