((Picture credit: Public Address) By Jason Kim: IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 50 KO’s) has not surprisingly decided to go with his sparring partner Johnathon Banks to be his trainer from here on out, according to fightnews.com. Banks, only 30, is still an active fighter at heavyweight and has a fight lined up later this month on November 17th against unbeaten Seth Mitchell Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.

Banks may not go far as a heavyweight contender, but he could pick up valuable experience as Wladimir’s trainer while as the same time making excellent money if Wladimir sticks it out as a fighter for another four or five years.

Banks is replacing Wladimir’s trainer Emanuel Steward who died recently in Chicago from a short illness. Steward reportedly told Wladimir that Banks was the right man to take over the training job of Wladimir because of all the years that Banks had worked with Steward. Banks has been with Steward since he was a teenager and knows a lot of what Steward knew.

This Saturday night will be the first real test for Banks’ knowledge and poise as Wladimir will be fighting the 6’7 1/2″ unbeaten Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) at the O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg, Germany. Banks is going to have to keep Wladimir calm while at the same time giving him instructions in how to take apart the huge Polish fighter before he gets to Wladimir’s weak chin.

Banks could find himself with a perfect career to fall back on if his own career doesn’t ever pan out in a big way. If he does a good job with Wladimir he can use that to get work with other well known fighters and make a good career out of this. Wladimir just has to do his part and keep winning so it doesn’t unravel early on Banks.