Klitschko vs. Wach – the prediction

By Boxing News - 11/09/2012 - Comments

Image: Klitschko vs. Wach - the prediction(Picture Credit: michaelsterlingeaton.com) By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KO’s) will be without his long time trainer, the late Emanuel Steward when he takes on undefeated Polish heavyweight Marius Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) Saturday night in Hamburg, Germany. But “Dr. Steelhammer” will be in the able hands of Jonathan Banks, who will work Klitschko’s corner for the Wach fight.

Banks has worked with Steward for years and has also served as a sparring partner for Wladimir to help him prepare for his recent fights. But there is no denying that Manny will be missed not only by Wladimir, but by the entire Klitschko team. Steward and Klitschko formed a special bond during their time together. It is doubtful that anyone can ever fill the void left by Steward’s absence.

Much has been made of the fact that for the first time in his career, Wladimir will be facing a taller and heavier heavyweight in Marius Wach. In addition, Wach has single punch KO power in his right hand. For that reason it is likely that Klitschko will play it safe in the early rounds. Wladimir has shown vulnerability to big punchers in the past. And no matter what he says Klitschko will notice Manny’s absence if and when the going gets tough.

Since he first started training under Steward, Wladimir has been a safety first fighter. He uses his superb left jab both as an offensive weapon to break down his opponents and secondly as a defensive weapon to keep aggressive opponents at bay. At this point it is unknown how effective Klitschko will be with his left jab against an opponent who has a one inch reach advantage as Wach does.

Wach for his part will likely use his size advantage in an attempt to rough up Wladimir and open him up for one of his powerful right hands. Marius, if he is to succeed in taking Klitschko out of his game needs to do it relatively early in the fight. The “Viking” has shown a tendency to gas out in the middle rounds in his previous fights.

Klitschko will bide his time until he senses that Wach is tiring, after which he will launch one of his laser guided right hand missiles. Wladimir’s has the advantage of having fought higher caliber opponents. It is this writer’s sense that Wach will be KO’d in the later rounds.



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