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Source: www.newsday.com
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Robert Cassidy
Wladimir needs Steward's wizardry
If Wladimir Klitschko is going to return to the top of the heavyweight division, trainer Emanuel Steward will be the man to get him there. Klitschko, the former WBO champion and brother of WBC champ Vitali, appeared to be the sweet science's next star. But he flamed out quickly after he was knocked out twice in a span of just over 12 months.
"People forget that Wladimir was known for his patience and stamina," said Steward, after a recent workout at Klitschko's training camp in The Poconos. "The public has forgotten that he knocked out Monte Barrett, beat Chris Byrd and knocked out Jameel McCline. It's like the only fights he ever had were against Lamon Brewster and Corey Sanders."
It was Sanders who got the Ukranian giant first, knocking him down four times en route to a 2nd-round knockout in March of 2003. Then, in a major upset, Klitschko appeared to be controlling Brewster but somehow ran out of gas. Brewster rallied to score a a fifth-round TKO of the 6-6 former Olympic gold medalist in their April 2004 bout.
While those fights certainly took a physical toll, the larger question is what kind of mental toll they took on Klitschko, who is 29. Does he have the same confidence he had while steamrolling opponents on the way up? It's Steward's job to make sure he does or he is likely to get knocked out again. On Saturday, Klitschko meets unbeaten Nigerian heavyweight Samuel Peter in Atlantic City in about to be televised by HBO. Peter is 24-0 with 21 knockouts.
"When I was training Lennox Lewis, I always told him the fighter on the way up who had the most potential was Wladimir," said Steward. "[Wladimir] is in very good shape. Stamina is not going to be a problem. I'm extremely confident in this fight. Moreso than when Lennox fought Mike Tyson. I don't see the fight going the distance and I don't see Samuel Peter knocking out Wladimir."
All of this was said within earshot of Klitschko, who admitted that he has spent more time with Steward before this fight than any of their previous bouts together over the last 18 months. At the training camp, Steward often visits Klitschko's room with fight films of classic heavyweights. They talk together, eat together and they are hoping to win together.
"I'm very satisfied with Emanuel," said Klitschko. "But Emanuel is not always so satisfied with me." At that moment, the trainer was seated next to the fighter and both erupted in laughter.
"But it's a lot of fun," said Klitschko. "We spend a lot of time with each other. I think we became friends. I consider it a friendship. I don't know about you."
More laughter.
Steward confirmed their friendship, but understands that this is a business and winning is what cements the future. The trainer is hoping that the fighter can build on his past -- the good and the bad. It's a lesson that Klitschko has seemingly learned.
"I'm glad to get this negative experience," he said. "I see the change in my life, the change in my training. If you only have success for a long time, then you will fall badly. I know why I am here and what I am doing here. It's the perfect place to be focused. I have no distractions here."
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Robert Cassidy
Wladimir needs Steward's wizardry
If Wladimir Klitschko is going to return to the top of the heavyweight division, trainer Emanuel Steward will be the man to get him there. Klitschko, the former WBO champion and brother of WBC champ Vitali, appeared to be the sweet science's next star. But he flamed out quickly after he was knocked out twice in a span of just over 12 months.
"People forget that Wladimir was known for his patience and stamina," said Steward, after a recent workout at Klitschko's training camp in The Poconos. "The public has forgotten that he knocked out Monte Barrett, beat Chris Byrd and knocked out Jameel McCline. It's like the only fights he ever had were against Lamon Brewster and Corey Sanders."
It was Sanders who got the Ukranian giant first, knocking him down four times en route to a 2nd-round knockout in March of 2003. Then, in a major upset, Klitschko appeared to be controlling Brewster but somehow ran out of gas. Brewster rallied to score a a fifth-round TKO of the 6-6 former Olympic gold medalist in their April 2004 bout.
While those fights certainly took a physical toll, the larger question is what kind of mental toll they took on Klitschko, who is 29. Does he have the same confidence he had while steamrolling opponents on the way up? It's Steward's job to make sure he does or he is likely to get knocked out again. On Saturday, Klitschko meets unbeaten Nigerian heavyweight Samuel Peter in Atlantic City in about to be televised by HBO. Peter is 24-0 with 21 knockouts.
"When I was training Lennox Lewis, I always told him the fighter on the way up who had the most potential was Wladimir," said Steward. "[Wladimir] is in very good shape. Stamina is not going to be a problem. I'm extremely confident in this fight. Moreso than when Lennox fought Mike Tyson. I don't see the fight going the distance and I don't see Samuel Peter knocking out Wladimir."
All of this was said within earshot of Klitschko, who admitted that he has spent more time with Steward before this fight than any of their previous bouts together over the last 18 months. At the training camp, Steward often visits Klitschko's room with fight films of classic heavyweights. They talk together, eat together and they are hoping to win together.
"I'm very satisfied with Emanuel," said Klitschko. "But Emanuel is not always so satisfied with me." At that moment, the trainer was seated next to the fighter and both erupted in laughter.
"But it's a lot of fun," said Klitschko. "We spend a lot of time with each other. I think we became friends. I consider it a friendship. I don't know about you."
More laughter.
Steward confirmed their friendship, but understands that this is a business and winning is what cements the future. The trainer is hoping that the fighter can build on his past -- the good and the bad. It's a lesson that Klitschko has seemingly learned.
"I'm glad to get this negative experience," he said. "I see the change in my life, the change in my training. If you only have success for a long time, then you will fall badly. I know why I am here and what I am doing here. It's the perfect place to be focused. I have no distractions here."
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