By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) is apparently going to take a breather when he takes on former cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KO’s). Reportedly a Klitschko – Mormeck fight will take place near the end of 2011 or early in 2012.

A venue has not yet been selected, but the bout will more than likely take place in Wladimir’s adopted home country of Germany.

Wladimir is almost certain to be criticized for taking on Mormeck, who has been less than spectacular since moving up to the heavyweight division. In his last title defense in July, “Dr. Steelhammer” easily outpointed David Haye adding Haye’s WBA heavyweight championship to his collection of belts. Wlad’s brother Vitali holds the WBC belt, which is the only other belt in the heavyweight division.

Haye, who fell far short of delivering on his boasting in his match with Wladimir, is also a blown up cruiserweight as Mormeck is. The “Hayemaker” fought in a defensive posture against Klitschko, choosing not to engage his 6’6” opponent. The result was that the fight did not deliver on the anticipated fireworks. Wladimir also received a fair amount of criticism for not forcing the issue, the result being that the Haye fight was seen as boring by many fans. Klitschko trainer Emanuel Steward has been somewhat critical of Vladimir for not being more aggressive in the past.

It was thought by many in the boxing world that Klitschko, after his relatively easy win over Haye would seek a more difficult opponent than the 5’11” Mormeck. David Haye defeated Mormeck in 2007 to win the cruiserweight title after which Jean-Marc took a two year hiatus and returned as a heavyweight. Mormeck’s fights at heavyweight have been unspectacular to say the least. He won a decision over trial horse Vinny Maddalone and then won a very controversial decision over Fres Oquendo. More recently Jean-Marc won a split decision over Timur Ibragimov on December 2, 2010. Defeating opponents of the caliber mentioned would not be expected to propel a fighter into a bout for the heavyweight championship of the world. But then why should I be so foolish? We live in an era where champions are created at the whim of the various boxing councils.

I have not been one to criticize Wladimir Klitschko, but you have to call them as you see them. In this situation you have to wonder what is he thinking? Jean-Marc at 5’11” is even smaller than the hopelessly out classed Tomasz Adamek, was when he fought Vitali on September 10. By any unit of measurement Mormeck is not a legitimate contender for Wladimir’s title. The fight would be a tough sell even in Germany.

Wladimir Klitschko at 35 years old is at the stage of his career where he should be thinking about his legacy. He has ruled the heavyweight roost for half a dozen years and was just getting to the point where, cable giant HBO was agreeable to begin showing his fights again after a long dry spell. Fighting a boxer of Mormeck’s credentials will only in the long run hurt Wladimir, not help him. Wladimir’s standing in the boxing world will be injured if such a fight does takes place.