by James Slater – Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck, the former WBC and WBA cruiserweight champion, has announced how he plans to make the move up to heavyweight in the summer, and that he is doing so in order to get a rematch with David Haye. Haye travelled to Paris in November of 2007, and was put down in the 4th round of the fight, only to get up and stop Mormeck in the 7th round to become world champion.
As we know, “The Hayemaker” will now get his opportunity to challenge IBF and WBO heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in his own campaign in the heavyweight division – and now the 36-year-old Frenchman is hoping to get a return with Haye afterwards.. Let’s face it, there is little to no chance of the fight coming off, but you can’t blame Mormeck for trying.
“I would like to have revenge against him [Haye],” Mormeck said to French publication L’Equipe. “I am aware of the impact of his punch, I am not crazy. But I deeply believe I can beat Haye. It is my final target. I am not issuing a challenge, what I plan to do is things in the right way, achieve fights before I get to fight him again.
“Yes, I make the step up to heavyweight. I hope that I will be boxing at the start of the summer and then at the end of the year.”
It’s likely Mormeck’s desire to get Haye back into the ring will not be news the 28-year-old soon-to-be heavyweight title challenger even hears, such are his own big plans. However, will Mormeck be able to box effectively at heavyweight, against anyone approaching a top name anyway?
At just 5’11”, and with a reach of only 74″, Mormeck would struggle against the big guys. Also, at age 36 (he’ll be 37 in June of this year) and after all the tough fights he’s been involved in, not to mention the ring-rust he will have no doubt acquired since the Haye loss, Mormeck will really be up against it in his comeback bid.
In the interview with L’Equipe, Mormeck did reveal that he was offered a big heavyweight in the past, though.
“Seven years ago, I was an unknown Frenchman, and then the Americans helped me become who I am today,” Mormeck said. “This time, I make an offer to French people. But I cannot say who they are yet. A few years ago they offered me the chance to step [up] to heavyweight to fight John Ruiz, but it was not the moment. Right now, the time has come. I want it and I am excited about it.”
We will find out how much the 33-4(22) fighter known as “The Marksman” has left when he takes on his initial comeback foe in the summer.