(Photo credit: Michael Freitag) By John F. McKenna (McJack): Undefeated Polish heavyweight contender Marius Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) has a golden opportunity to derail WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KO’s) when they clash on November 10 in Hamburg, Germany. For the first time in nearly a decade Wladimir will be without Emanuel Steward, who transformed “Dr. Steelhammer” from a fighter who was prone to run out of gas and get knocked out, into one of the most dominant heavyweight champions in boxing history.

Wach at 6’7 ½” is the first fighter that the 6’6” Klitschko will actually have to look up to during the pre fight instructions. Marius is also known for having KO power in his potent right hand. Wach has demonstrated his power time and again, albeit against vastly inferior fighters to Wladimir. For this fight however the “Viking” as he is known to his fans, is genuinely confident of becoming the first Polish heavyweight champion. Wach’s head trainer Juan De Leon also believes that his fighter has the formula to bring forth a victory to his charge. Maruis feels that being a huge underdog will be an advantage and that he will have the opportunity to show the world just how good he is.

There are those who feel that Wladimir will be at a serious disadvantage at not having Emanuel Steward in his corner for his fight with Marius. To be sure, Emanuel as a trainer is irreplaceable. He had an extremely close working relationship with “Dr. Steelhammer” and had the ability to get the most out of him, constantly exhorting him to achieve more in between rounds.

Jonathon Banks will replace Emanuel in Klitschko’s corner for this fight. Banks is a long time disciple of Steward and practices the same principles he learned working with the world class trainer. In all probability Klitschko and Banks will go out of their way not to let their late beloved trainer down.

There has been some signs that Wach appears to tire after five rounds or so, and surely his handlers have worked on his conditioning in the lead up to his big fight with Klitschko. Marius also has a tendency to leave himself open for a counter left hook after throwing his right hand. Against a talented champion such as Wladimir that could be a fatal mistake.

If nothing else the Klitschko – Wach fight should indicate how well Wladimr fares against the new breed of super sized heavyweights.