Wilder’s Skepticism on Klitschko’s Decline
On July 15, Deontay Wilder expressed skepticism regarding the significance of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury‘s successes against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko. He attributed this viewpoint to the profound changes in Klitschko since the passing of his esteemed trainer, Emanuel Steward, in 2012. Wilder reflected on Steward’s critical impact on Klitschko’s combat prowess, emphasizing that the renowned trainer’s guidance was integral to the heavyweight’s previous dominance.
Wilder’s Reflections on Emanuel Steward
Wilder, during an interview with Showtime, remarked:
“With Klitschko, I definitely feel that the teachings of Emanuel Steward are lacking a little bit, but he’s not to blame. Steward was a very, very smart trainer. The insight he provided and the mindset he cultivated within the fighters were extraordinary. He earned his accolades for a reason.”
The former WBC heavyweight champion highlighted the peak years of Klitschko’s career as being distinctly marked by Steward’s presence, stating:
“That’s when I thought Klitschko was the best, with Emanuel in his corner. His judgment in the ring and outside of it set him apart. Nowadays, since Steward is gone, it appears that Wladimir is following his own instincts, rather than the strategies proposed by his trainers.”
Joshua and Fury’s Victories
Although Wilder acknowledged both Joshua’s victory, which came through an eleventh-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium, and Fury’s tactical upset over Klitschko, he pointed out that both had triumphed over a diminished version of the formidable Ukrainian champion. Wilder, who had personal sparring experience with Klitschko during his prime years from 2006 to 2012, insisted that neither Joshua nor Fury faced the version of Klitschko he would have fought, especially noting the cancellation of their unification talks in 2015.
Future Matchups and Potential Fights
As he continued to support Joshua, whom Wilder views as a potential future opponent, he stated:
“I hope Joshua wins because that sets up a mega-fight between us. Even as he fights Klitschko, the buzz around a Joshua-Wilder matchup continues to build, and if he wins, it feels like the only logical next step for him.”
In fact, a year after Joshua’s victory over Klitschko, Wilder made an impressive $50 million proposal for a fight, which was ultimately derailed when Joshua chose to face Alexander Povetkin instead.
Conclusion
Both Joshua and Fury have hailed their victories over Klitschko as cornerstones of their respective careers, yet Wilder’s comments reignite the conversation regarding how much of Klitschko’s late-career decline can be ascribed to his advanced age and the absence of Emanuel Steward’s expert coaching.
Phil Jay, a seasoned boxing journalist with more than 15 years in the industry, shares this analysis as Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News, where he has provided intensive coverage of significant boxing events and interviewed numerous champions throughout his career.
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