Anthony Tyrone Thompson is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2016. He challenged twice for unified world heavyweight titles, in 2008 and 2012, both times against Wladimir Klitschko. Described by many observers and fighters as stylistically "awkward", Thompson was ranked by The Ring as the ninth best heavyweight in the world at the end of 2007.

Wladimir Klitschko is a Ukrainian former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2017. He held the world heavyweight championship twice, including the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring magazine titles. A strategic and intelligent boxer, Klitschko is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time. He was known for his exceptional knockout power, using a strong jab, straight right hand and left hook, quick hand speed, great physical strength which he employed when clinching opponents, and his athletic footwork and mobility, unusual for boxers of his size.