Klitschko dedicates fight to late coach

Klitschko maintains a record of 58 wins and three defeats in his career.

HAMBURG: World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko remembered his late coach Emanuel Steward, saying victory over Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Hamburg at the weekend would also be for his long-time mentor.

The 68-year-old Steward, who worked with several world champions at his fabled Kronk Gym in Detroit and joined forces with Klitschko in 2004, died on October 25 after developing complications following surgery for diverticulitis.

“It is a big blow to everyone,” said the Ukrainian. “It felt strange in preparation but we know what he would do and what he would want us to do. It is a fight without Emanuel Steward but I will be going into the ring on Saturday with his presence to defend those titles we gathered together.”

The 36-year-old has a record of 58 wins and three defeats in his career.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2012.