By Jason Kim: IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 50 KO’s) will be without his longstanding trainer Emanuel Steward for his next fight against Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) on November 10th at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Steward passed away this week from an undisclosed illness in the United States, leaving Wladimir to have to fight without his help against the hard hitting Wach.

Wladimir has replaced Steward with his sparring partner Johnathon Banks, who Wladimir says he’s quite happy with. He respects Banks’ expertise and likes the way he can analyze a fight. However, it’s still not going to be the same as having Steward’s tremendous knowledge there helping Wladimir. Steward has trained a huge number of top fighters throughout the years, and he’s going to be missed in the corner whether Wladimir wants to acknowledge it or not.

This is a tough opponent for Wladimir to be without Steward because Wach can really punch hard and he’s got a good job and excellent size. Wach has the power of former Wladimir conquerors Corrie Sanders, Lamon Brewster and Ross Puritty, and it could be dangerous for Wladimir if he lets Wach land one of his big right hands. That right hand is a game changer. Wach can look terrible for five or six rounds, but as soon as he lands that big right hand flush, he can knockout anyone in the division.

For Wladimir, this has got to be an especially dangerous fight because his chin is vulnerable and all it takes is one good shot Wladimir could be on the canvas. Steward won’t be there to help Wladimir in between rounds if he finds himself hurt along the way. It’s not just the things that Steward would tell Wladimir but also the calming affect that he had on getting him to relax when things are going badly for him.