Wladimir Klitschko – Mariusz Wach: FINAL THOUGHTS & PREDICTION – Heavyweight Boxing News

By Geno McGahee

Tonight, in Germany, Wladimir Klitschko, 58-3, 50 KO’s, the IBO, IBF, WBO, and WBA Heavyweight Champion, will step into the ring for the first time since the death of his trainer, Emanuel Steward. He will be facing a large (6’7 ½”), undefeated and motivated challenger in Mariusz Wach, 27-0, 15 KO’s.

The big question going into this is: Where is Wlad mentally? Steward died just recently and he has always been the voice of reason in the corner, the calming force that could walk his champion through the rough spots and get him to victory. Without him, will the confidence of one of the most dominant champions in history be shaken?

Wach is an unknown, but he is riding a good streak of momentum with 7 straight knockout wins and is in tremendous shape at 250 pounds. During the stare down with the champion, he looked confident. This is going to be Wach’s time, if Wlad allows it to be.

If Wlad is not feeling right without Steward, he may try to end the fight quickly. If Wach can take the punch, the night will be interesting. There is a certain pace that Wlad must maintain in order to make it the full 12 rounds. If he strays from that pace in order to take the victory quickly and go home, it may end in disaster.

There is one other thing to watch tonight and that is the right hand of Wach. Well, he’s actually got two of them. He’s got a chopping right hand that usually sets up his haymaker. The straight shot is the one that Wlad must be aware of. Wach throws it quickly and times it incredibly well. When he landed it on Kevin McBride, they needed to scrape him off the canvas. Wlad cannot afford to play with Wach. He has to be incredibly careful.

My prediction is Wlad by decision or late stoppage, but I’ve got my reservations. Wach is a live underdog in this fight and if he can survive the incoming without going into survival mode, we may have something unexpected happen in Germany tonight.