The win over Timur Ibragimov lined him up against popular German boxer Luan Krasniqi in a WBO world heavyweight title eliminator on July 14, 2007. Krasniqi, who was 36 years old coming into the bout, was looking to return to the heavyweight title contention after a loss to Lamon Brewster, with German media expecting him to "fulfill his destiny" and become only the second world heavyweight champion from Germany after Max Schmeling. The fight took place at Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany and was aired on ZDF. This was the first Thompson's bout that took place outside of North America. Thompson appeared to have the upper hand from the opening bell, frequently having Krasniqi pressed against the ropes and going back-and-forth between combinations to the head and body. In the third round, Thompson fractured Krasniqi's ribs. Inbetween the fourth and fifth rounds, the referee warned Krasniqi that he would stop the fight if Krasniqi continued absorbing punishment without firing back. Thompson continued his assault on Krasniqi in the fifth, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Krasniqi later described the fight as "the darkest moment of his career": "I'm still ashamed for what happened that night. I still can't explain it. I was stumbling around like I was drunk. My failure made Thompson a star."