Klitschko vs. Mormeck : How do you sell this fight?

By Boxing News - 10/06/2011 - Comments

Image: Klitschko vs. Mormeck : How do you sell this fight?By John F. McKenna (McJack): World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) will be fighting former cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-4-22 KO’s) on December 10 at the ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The announcement, rumored for some time, was not a surprise. Wladimir will be making the 11th defense of his 2nd title reign against the 39 year old Mormeck. The match against Mormeck will be the 20th world heavyweight title fight that Klitscko has been involved in. Overall he is 17-2 in title fights.

Perhaps realizing his match with Jean-Marc would be a difficult fight to sell, Wladimir immediately began to hype Mormeck’s talent. He was quoted by the Associated Press as saying:

“I know that I am the favorite in all of my fights but I also know that each opponent is motivated to be in the best shape ever when he fights me. Mormeck is one of the most experienced fighters I have ever faced. He has had many world title fights, has a very good technique, can take a lot of punches and is very intelligent inside the ring. To underestimate him would be a fatal mistake.”

Mormeck realizes that he will be a huge underdog and stated:

“I can imagine what the odds will look like for me against Wladimir Klitschko, but I know my skills.”

Mormeck was KO’d by David Haye in 2007 in the 7th round after knocking Haye down in the 4th round. Mormeck took two years off after the loss to Haye and returned as a heavyweight, where he has won three fights against 2nd tier opposition.

Jean-Marc conceded that he would have thought long and hard before agreeing to fight Vitali Klitscko, but feels that he has a good chance against Wladmir who he accused of having a “glass chin”.

The Mormeck fight will be Wladimir’s first match since his one sided victory over David Haye on July 2nd. The Haye bout was heavily hyped and many gave the “Hayemaker” a good shot at carrying the championship back to England.

Whatever the reasoning was for Wladimir to choose such a soft opponent as Mormeck is not clear. Many boxing fans around the world were for the first time starting to show him the respect he has sought for so long. To be quite blunt Mormeck does not belong in the same ring with Wladimir. He has neither the credentials nor the size to legitimately compete with Wladimir Klitschko.

Unwittingly or not “Dr. Steelhammer” has placed himself in the position no fighter should ever be in. For Klitschko at the age of 35, a victory over Mormeck does nothing to secure or advance his legacy.



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