By James Slater: Yesterday, there was some concern over whether or not the Wladimir Klitschko-Mariusz Wach heavyweight title fight, reportedly set for Nov. 10th in Hamburg, Germany, would actually go ahead (see article below). Well, it has been confirmed today, by Fightnews.com and by Ringtv.com, that the Ring Magazine, WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO title clash will most certainly take place as planned.
There had been some talk about Team-Wach having a tough time of it agreeing to all of Team-Klitschko’s contractual demands, yet both men can now focus on getting ready and training hard for the fight.
Speaking with Ringtv.com, Wladimir’s Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward had this to say:
“It’s definitely on. I can tell you that,” Steward said of the Wach fight. “Wladimir told me that ‘this is the first time that I’m fighting somebody who is taller than I am.’ He looks solid, and he said he’s taller than he was, that’s all that he told me. He said that this is the first time that this has ever happened. He said we’re going to have a hard time finding sparring partners that tall.”
Wladimir has spoken quite a bit about how 32-year-old Wach, 27-0(15), is both taller than he is and has a longer reach. Is it possible “Dr. Steel Hammer” is just a little bit concerned, maybe even worried about this factor? In all honesty, it is “The Viking’s” size that is the sole intriguing aspect of the upcoming fight. Maybe, just maybe, Wach’s long reach will see to it that he manages to land a number of blows on Klitschko’s chin. When was the last time that happened to Wladimir?
For his part, Wach told ESPN.com that he will do far better than his countrymen, Tomasz Adamek and Albert Sosnowski (who both fell to the powerful hands of WBC king Vitali) did when facing a Klitschko.
“My fellow countrymen Adamek and Sosnowski did not have what it takes to beat a Klitschko,” he said. “I am not a former cruiserweight but a real heavyweight. Klitschko will take a lot of hard punches before I knock him out. I will be the first Polish world heavyweight champion.”
Far from being a trash-talker, Wach is quietly confident, with a curious self-assurance that tells him he WILL beat Klitschko. And, with his size, punching power and aggression (“an irrepressible will,” Wladimir says), Wach certainly is a real heavyweight. Let’s now hope we get a real fight on November 10th.