Wladimir Klitschko dedicates fight to Emanuel Steward

World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has declared that he will dedicate his title defence this weekend to the memory of former coach Emanuel Steward.

Legendary trainer Steward passed away last month at the age of 68 after a long battle with illness.

Klitschko has revealed that Steward will be in his thoughts when he defends his crown against Mariusz Wach in Hamburg on Saturday night.

He said: "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 Ukrainian giant faces unbeaten Polish challenger Wach in his final fight of 2012, hoping to extend an eight-year unbeaten streak.