(Picture Credit: michaelsterlingeaton.com) By Jim Dower: IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 50 KO’s) weighed in today for his bout with unbeaten 6’7 1/2′ Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) for their bout on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena, Altona, in Hamburg, Germany. Wladimir weighed in at 246.92 pounds, which about what he normally weighs for his fight. Wach, 32, came in at 249.12 lbs. That’s also about the normal weight for him as well.

This fight has attracted a lot of interest despite the fact that it appears to be a huge mismatch on paper. Perhaps the reason why so many boxing fans are interested in seeing the Wach-Klitschko fight is because of the huge size of Wach and because he’s a big puncher with knockout power in his right hand.

Wladimir hasn’t faced a puncher since beating former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye last year in July. It’s been a long time since then, as Wladimir has taken easy fights against aging heavyweights 40-year-old Jean Marc Mormeck and 41-year-old Tony Thompson in his last two fights.

Wladimir will be looking to capture his 17th consecutive win on Saturday. However, it’ll be the first fight with new trainer Johnathon Banks, who is replacing Wladimir’s former trainer Emanuel Steward who passed away recently. Wladimir believes that Banks is the guy that can keep him at the top due to his incite of the game. Banks spent many years with Steward and perhaps his training style more than anyone, including Wladimir. It’ll be interesting to see how Banks works with Wladimir, especially if he has to face any adversity in this fight.

Wach has a right hand that can make up for what he lacks in speed, experience and boxing skills. If he can land that one big shot it won’t matter how poor he looks in the ring. He can knock Wladimir out and take his title. Wladimir can’t let this fight drag on too long with a puncher like Wach, because he’s one of those rare heavyweights that keeps his power late in his fights. Wach is just as capable of knocking Wladimir out in the 12th as he is in the 1st round.