By Jason Kim: IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 50 KO’s) is expected to be fighting for the first time without his long-time trainer Emanuel Steward next month on November 10th against contender Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) at the O2 World Arena, Altona, in Hamburg, Germany. For the 36-year-old Wladimir, he’ll be fighting without Steward’s help for the first since since he fought Danell Nicholson in December 2003. Steward has been working with Wladimir consistently for the past eight years, and likely won’t be able to work his corner due to Steward still recovering stomach surgery.

Steward has had a huge affect in shaping the Ukrainian’s career turning him from a vulnerable brawler into a near unbeatable boxer/puncher during this time frame. Steward’s record with Wladimir is an incredible 16-1, showing the positive affect that he’s had on his career. Steward pretty much turned Wladimir into a Lennox Lewis type of fighter with his tendency to throw a lot of jabs, straight right hands and using a lot of clinching to keep shorter opponents from getting their shots off in close.

Wladimir may not need Steward’s help in beating the 6’7 1/2″ Wach, because he’s a slow and beatable fighter with little in the way of big fight experience. Wladimir has learned enough from Steward to be able to fight on auto-pilot and win the fight. However, what Wladimir may miss is the calming effect that Steward had in the corner while giving him expert advice in how to beat his opponents.

You can’t stress how important that this has been for Wladimir, because before Steward began to train him, Wladimir sometimes would stress out when attacked hard by opposition with excellent power. Steward helped Wladimir through some tough fights against the likes of a prime Samuel Peter and a rematch with over Lamon Brewster. Wladiimr should be able to KO the big hitting Wach without Steward but it sure would help if he were there for him.