By James Slater: In his last fight, Ring Magazine, IBF, WBA, WBO heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko defended against a former cruiserweight who had moved up in weight, and it looks extremely likely that “Dr. Steel Hammer” will meet another former 200-pound ruler in his next fight.
According to a source who spoke exclusively with Ring.tv.com, a December 10th fight between Wladimir and the French fighter is “virtually a done deal.”
“I am told that it’s very close,” the source said. There is no word yet on the venue of the fight.
Seeing as how the Klitschkos have pretty much cleaned out the entire heavyweight division, having ducked no-one, “The Marksman,” as 39-year-old Mormeck is known, is probably as decent a choice as any other contender out there. Sure, the former WBC and WBA cruiserweight champ who has won three decisions in a row since moving up, is too small and too lacking in power to be able to beat Wladimir, but he might make things interesting for a few rounds due to his speed and courage.
Mormeck, best known for his thrilling fights with O’Neil Bell (one win, one loss) and David Haye (a TKO loss) is a tough man and he believes winning the heavyweight title is his destiny. Then again, recent Vitali challenger Tomasz Adamek is as tough as they come and he too believed it was his calling to become world heavyweight king, and look what happened to him.
In all likelihood, we will see another Klitschko beat-down on December 10th. Mormeck, 36-4(22) could barely get past Fres Oquendo and, last time out, Timur Ibragimov, both decisions that went in the Frenchman’s favour being questioned by some, and it’s almost impossible to make a case for him against the mighty Wladimir.
Not a big puncher (no KO’s yet as a heavy) and too small in height (5’11.5”), weight (approx 215) and reach (74” to Wlad’s 81” wingspan), Mormeck will probably enter the ring as something approaching a 20-1 underdog. But again, who else is there for Wladimir to fight?
Mormeck will give it a go, perhaps being encouraged by a wildly supportive bunch of French fans if the fight takes place in his homeland (which could happen, seeing as how Wladimir said recently that the idea of a fight in France appeals to him), but he will be outgunned and outclassed, just like everyone else has been over the last seven years of Wladimir’s dominant run.
I can’t see Mormeck surviving past the 7th-round.