By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBA/IBF/WBO/ Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) has received a lot of heat for taking on former cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KO’s). “Dr. Steelhammer” will be facing Mormeck on March 3rd at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Mormeck will have a seven inch height disadvantage, as well as thirty pounds in weight when he enters the ring against the 6’6”, 245 pound Klitschko.

Mormeck has not been the least bit impressive since he moved up from cruiserweight to campaign as a heavyweight in December 2009, fighting 2nd tier opposition. Klitschko critics are quick to point out that Wladimir has a suspect chin and that he has been KO’d three times in his career. But Wladimir turned it around when he took on legendary trainer Emanuel Steward to guide his career.

Under Steward, Klitschko has overcome his conditioning problems which were thought by many to have contributed to his having been knocked out earlier in his career. “Dr. Steelhammer” is now working on a fourteen fight winning streak that goes back nearly eight years. His title reign is one of the longest title reigns in heavyweight history. Wladimir holds all the heavyweight title belts except the WBC belt which his brother Vitali has.

Wladimir is only too well aware of the criticism that has been heaped upon him since he signed to fight Mormeck. The fact of the matter is however that none of the top heavyweight contenders wanted to risk fighting him at this time. It is no secret that Wlad was putting out feelers for top heavyweight contenders in the fall of 2011. Cris Arreola was among the heavyweights being considered, but his brain trust at that time did not think he was yet ready to take on “Dr. Steelhammer”. At the time there were rumors circulating that Klitschko wanted to fight Arreola in the U.S.A. to help raise his profile in the states. But the Arreola camp has recently let if be known that they are seeking a fight with Wladimir in 2012.

Up and coming fighters Tyson Fury and Robert Helenius both indicated that they would need more time before taking on a fighter of Klitschko’s stature. “Regular” WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin previously passed up a title shot with Wladimir when his American trainer Teddy Atlas stated that he was not yet ready for Klitschko.

The feeling is that rather than remain idle Wladimir elected to stay busy by fighting Jean-Marc Mormeck. It is a situation that heavyweight champions have found themselves in before. It is a no win situation for Wladimir. If he loses, it will rank right up there among the hugest upsets of all time.