by James Slater – Tonight in Paris, France, former world cruiserweight king Jean Marc Mormeck made a successful debut as a heavyweight, as he won an exciting 8-round unanimous decision over the always-game Vinny Maddalone. The 37-year-old warrior known as “The Marksman” had to work hard in the fight, but his better speed, accuracy and defensive work allowed him to pound out the points victory.
Winning for the first time since his November 2007 TKO loss to David Haye (who, incidentally, Mormeck has said he’d love a rematch with up at the new weight), Mormeck improved to 34-4(22). The gutsy 35-year-old from Queens, New York fell to 32-6(23)..
Pressing the local fighter and former champion right from the first bell, Maddalone, the bigger man at 232-pounds to 216 for the Frenchman, was able to land some shots, especially to the body. But the greater skill of the former 200-pounder was evident. Marked up by the middle rounds (nothing new to Vinny!), the visiting fighter kept coming. The earlier rounds belonged to Mormeck, but Maddalone’s sheer effort and desire saw him win a number of the later rounds.
Indeed, Mormeck was looking tired, even a little gassed towards the end of the fight, leading some fans to wonder what might have happened had the fight been scheduled for ten or even 12 rounds. Maddalone was still strong in the 8th and final round, even appearing to wobble Mormeck slightly.
Overall, though, the win was a good one for an inactive fighter who was having his first fight in a new weight division. Say what you want about Maddalone, but not too many fighters have managed to stop him (just two for the record – Brian Minto (twice) and Evander Holyfield), and as was the case when he travelled to Germany to face Denis Boytsov, the New Yorker tested his opponent well.
Mormeck showed he can take a whack from a solid and game heavyweight, and maybe he can go on to do something at the new weight. As was the case with his fights down at cruiserweight, Mormeck’s win tonight sure pleased the paying fans. There could be more excitement to come, against some bigger names, from the fighter who has given us excellent battles against the likes of O’Niel Bell and Wayne Braithwaite.
As for Maddalone, who lost for the second time in his last three outings; the 35-year-old may want to think about where he goes from here. Could retirement be a possibility?