Klitschko Trainer: Wladimir Stops Deontay Wilder in Six

By Luke Furman

On January 17th, all boxing eyes will be fixated on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, when heavyweight destroyer Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) attempts to capture the World Boxing Council world crown from champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs). If Wilder wins, there will be a lot of momentum for a showdown with unified king Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

James Ali Bashir, assistant trainer to Wladimir, says there are bigger heavyweight threats out there than Wilder.

"There are other dangerous fighters, who I value more than Wilder. For example, Mariusz Wach [who went the distance with Wladimir in 2012]. I think that Wladimir would stop Deontay by the sixth round."

Bashir is also not overwhelmed by the skills of top contender Bryant Jennings (19-0, 10 KOs), who likely challenges Wladimir on April 25 in Brooklyn.

"He's just a boxer, but physically he is impressive. Nothing more [than that to Jennings]. Technically I'm not impressed [with him]," Bashir said.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.