Wladimir Klitschko in no win situation

By Boxing News - 02/29/2012 - Comments

Image: Wladimir Klitschko in no win situation(Photo credit: Michael Eaton Sterling/KMG) By John F. McKenna (McJack): (Super) WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and The Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) is in a no win situation when he enters the ring to do battle with challenger Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KO’s). The pair will be squaring off at the ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf, Germany this Saturday night.

Wladimir has been widely criticized for taking on the lightly regarded Mormeck and no matter what happens boxing fans will not be happy. Wladimir, who has 49 KO’s thus far in his career is expected to make it number 50 when he faces Jean-Paul. Photos of Klitschko standing next to Mormeck show the huge disparity in size and give the impression of a man fighting a boy. Jean-Paul is listed at 5’11 ½”, but he does not appear to be that tall when he stands next to the towering Klitschko who is 6’6”.

Mormeck, who was KO’d earlier in his career by former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye is given almost no chance to upset Wladimir. “Dr. Steelhammer” has found himself in the unenviable predicament of having to build up Jean-Paul’s chances against him when the two clash.

If Klitschko KO’s Mormeck within a few rounds as the boxing world expects, it will be no big deal for Wladimir because that is what he is supposed to do against second tier opponents. If on the other hand, Jean-Paul puts on a stellar showing many boxing pundits will look at it as evidence that “Dr. Steelhammer” is slipping.

Klitschko and Mormeck were originally schedule to fight last December, but that fight was postponed when Wladimir had to have surgery to remove a kidney stone. At that time Mormeck was looked upon as a stay busy opponent for Klitschko, who had scored a decisive twelve round decision over David Haye last July.

Despite the criticism for fighting Mormeck however, the reality is that there were no viable opponents willing to take on Wladimir. Klitschko had expressed a desire last fall to face Chris Arreola, possibly in the U.S.A. Arrola’s handlers nixed that idea by saying that Chris was not yet ready for Wladimir. Current (regular) WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin also turned down overtures from the Klitschko camp. It was also clear that that the other rising stars in the heavyweight division, Tyson Fury and Robert Helenius were not yet ready.

Klitschko found himself between a rock and a hard place. He did not want to take on a second tier opponent, but on the other hand he did not want to remain inactive. Wladimir decided to take what was for him the lesser of the two evils.



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