By William Mackay: Former WBA/WBC cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck (34-4, 22 KO’s) doesn’t believe that World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s) is ready to face either of the Klitschko brothers. In an article at the Bankkokpost, the 37-year-old Mormeck says “I’m convinced if he’d [Haye] fought either of the Klitschko brothers instead of [John] Ruiz, he would have lost the fight inside the distance. He’s not ready to fight either of them. One day, he will be, but it’s still too early for him.”

Haye previously defeated Mormeck by a 7th round stoppage in November 2007. Mormeck knocked Haye down in the 4th round of that fight and pounded on Haye in the 5th. Haye came back to eventually stop the 5’11” Mormeck in the 7th, but it was a less than impressive performance from Haye, who showed poor defensive skills in that fight.

Mormeck, a big puncher but very short, had little problems connecting with his power shots against the taller 6’3” Haye. Last Saturday night, Haye defeated 38-year-old John Ruiz by a 9th round stoppage at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England. Haye dominated the fight, and was able to knocked Ruiz down four times, albeit three of the knockdowns appeared to be from rabbit punches.

Ruiz’s trainer eventually pulled the plug on the fight in the 9th, as Haye backed Ruiz up to the ropes and was pummeling him with power shots. Although Haye dominated the 6’2” Ruiz throughout the fight, Haye showed that he was hittable on the inside and was nailed by a number of right hands from Ruiz in the fight.

Ruiz likely wouldn’t last 9 rounds with either of the Klitschko brothers, and even if he could, he wouldn’t land much of anything. Haye proved that he can beat a fighter his own height in the Ruiz fight, but it would be asking a lot for Haye to beat the much taller Klitschko brothers.

Haye’s work rate wasn’t high, as he continued to throw that many punches. Against the Klitschko brothers, Haye would likely land even fewer, because of his reach disadvantage. He wouldn’t be able to land his jabs and would be limited to trying to land an occasional pot shot while on the run. Haye only averaged 10 punches thrown per round against WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev last year in November.

Haye won the fight, but just barely, winning by a 12 round majority decision. His lack of height and reach was a major problem for him against Valuev. It’s fair to say that Haye would be facing the same problem against the Klitschkos. Except in this case, Haye would have to be even more careful with them because they both have the power to take him out with a single punch.

Mormeck is perhaps right that Haye isn’t ready for the Klitschko brothers, although it’s hard to see when Haye will be ready. If Mormeck means that he’ll be ready in five to seven years, I agree with that. By then, Vitali will be 43 to 45 years old and possibly too old to dominate Haye the way he would likely do right now if they were to fight. And Wladimir will be between 38 and 40, and maybe too old himself to beat Haye.

I still think the Klitschkos would beat Haye then, because Haye would be older himself, in the mid 30s, but I would at least give Haye a small chance of winning. Right now, I give Haye almost zero chance of beating either of the Klitschko brothers and think he’d get the stuffing beaten out of him like a sparring partner if he was to fight them. I expect Haye to steer clear of them for the time being, and fight a rematch with Valuev instead.