Anthony Thompson vs. Grady Brewer II on August 22nd in California! I.B.O. title on the line!

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Philly Jr. Middleweight Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson has a date with destiny on August 22nd as he signed on for a rematch against Oklahoma's Grady Brewer for a 12 rounder with the IBO title at stake. This match will take place at the Pala Casino in California. 

For those in need of a history lesson, The Messenger was a highly touted prospect since his days as an amateur. He was thought to be on the paved road to title town until suffering a KO upset in 2005 at the hands of then unknown Grady Brewer. People were flat out stunned at this happening. Since that day, Thompson has rebounded to win many more than he lost, but there has always been a cloud of controversy surrounding his big fights. Thompson's name stayed in the picture but in his most recent taste of national exposure, a 2007 ESPN fight  for this same IBO title, Thompson was in control but got shafted and referee Malik Waleed reminded the world that an outsider just can't get a win in the state of Maryland against a home town fighter.

At the end of the day, it went into the books as a loss. Even so, that still has not derailed Team Thompson's mission of winning a world title. Thompson returned to the ring in May and dispatched durable journeyman Luis Lopez late in the 1st round. Later in an interview with us Thompson told the world that his is refocused and ready to go. In essence, Thompson now has the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, avenging his first loss and claiming the title many feel is rightfully his. This should put him in line for a significant fight soon after shall he win.

Brewer is a fighter to be respected. He is one of the rare competitors who was able to fight his way out of journeyman-ville, getting his title shot the old fashioned way - by earning it. After being thrown to the wolves early in his career, he rebounded to win the ESPN Contender Series in 2006 as a big underdog and is currently riding a 7 fight winning streak, defeating quality opponents along the way.

Now both fighters finds themselves at an old fashioned cross roads fight. Thompson has the opportunity to beat the man that took his 0 and also claim a belt that he feels is rightfully his in one fell swoop. You can be assured he won't take this one easily. Brewer knows he was never expected to make it this far in the first place, and the hard working Oklahoman knows a loss could easily fade his career to oblivion.

It is all going to come down to who wants it more. Reports from Bozy's Gym in Germantown say that The Messenger has looked sharp in recent workouts. A win here could finally get him over the hump and to the promised land that he and his team strive for.