By Rusty Nate: Last weekend, we watched a lackluster performance from the long reigning heavyweight champion of the world Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 53 KOs) with him beating Bryant Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision. It’s not completely clear the reason behind the poor performance.
It could be that Wladimir has travelled so little in the recent years that making the trip over to the US for this flight simply didn’t agree with him. It could also be that the long career of the now 39 year old champion is finally starting to catch up with him.
I don’t believe that the performance had much to do with his opponent making him look below par, Jennings did very little that I would say would trouble an on form Klitschko. I also don’t think that Klitschko’s age or conditioning had much part to play.
I am wondering whether the passing of his hall of fame trainer and disciplinarian, Manuel Stewart might be taking its toll. In the immediate fights following his sad passing Klitschko still looked on top form and razor shape in the ring. His combinations, his jab and his defense were what we all have become accustom too over the years.
I seem to remember that another former dominant heavyweight champion of the past had a similar situation when Tyson’s legendary trainer, Cus D’amato passed away suddenly leaving a huge void in Tyson’s life and professional world. Tyson did go on to win the world title without Cus by his side but from the moment he passed the reports from his close friends and colleagues was that Tyson had changed, he became less focused on his boxing and allowed fame and fortune to creep into his boxing world. At that point Tyson lost everything that Cus had worked on with him for so many years. He became sloppy both in training and in the ring.
Given the fact that Klitschko has not left Eastern Europe for so long you would expect that a fight at the world famous Madison Square Garden in New York would have him buzzing regardless of who he was fighting, but what I saw at the weekend in Klitschko looked like a fighter that had lost his interest, his excitement and his motivation to perform as he has done over the past 10 years with Manny in his corner. I was quite shocked to see him holding from the first bell to the finish for a start but what was more noticeable was when he did step back and actually throw punches his jab that has kept every fighter of the past 10 years off balance and rendered them ineffective looked weak and half-hearted.
It did set my mind thinking back to Mike Tyson fighting Buster Douglas. The untouchable Iron Mike (as the world thought) without the strict parent figure of his long term trainer and mentor cut corners, partied the nights away in Japan and thought he just had to show up to beat the bum they were putting in front of him.
I hope that Manny’s passing has not caused Klitschko to cut corners and put his mind elsewhere other than in his boxing. If he has then there is no shame in it but he must get out now. Although I don’t think Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder are half the athlete or boxer Wladimir is, it could be very dangerous for Wlad to consider fighting them if his heart is no longer in the sport.
Let me know your thoughts people!
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