WBA/IBF/IBO/ WBO World Heavyweight and “The Ring” Champion Wladimir Klitschko will come back to Düsseldorf (Germany) for his next title defense. The undisputed champion of the heavyweight division will be challenged by French Jean-Marc Mormeck at the ESPRIT Arena on December 10. The stadium is the homefield of the German soccer club Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Mormeck is the current WBA International Heavyweight Champion with a professional record of 36 wins (22 KOs) with 4 losses. Two of his losses were early in his career when he lost as an inexperienced fighter in 4th and 5th fights. In 2002, Mormeck became WBA World Cruiserweight Champion when he defeated Virgil Hill. After three successful title defenses he unified the WBA and WBC titles when he stopped unbeaten WBC Champion Wayne Braithwaite. After losing his belts against O`Neil Bell he regained both titles in the rematch the following year.
Mormeck’s last loss was when he was still a cruiserweight to David Haye: After having Haye on the canvas in round 4, Mormeck lost in round 7 by TKO.
In 2009, Mormeck moved to the heavyweight division and has won all his fights since then. He stopped two time world heavyweight title challenger Fres Oquendo and most recently the strong Usbek fighter Timur Ibragimov. Today, Mormeck is rated in the Heavyweight Top 10 rankings of WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO.
For 35-year-old Wladimir Klitschko it is his first appearance in the boxing ring after his impressive domination and title unification against David Haye in July. The professional record of the 1996 Olympic Gold medalist is 56 wins (49 KOs) with only 3 losses. It will be Klitschko’s 20th World Championship fight.
Wladimir Klitschko: “I know that I am the favorite in all my fights but I also know that each opponent is motivated to be in the best shape ever when he fights me. Mormeck is one of the most experienced fighters I have ever faced. He has had many world title fights, has a very good technique, can take a lot of punches and is very intelligent inside the ring. To underestimate him would be a fatal mistake. I am very happy to return to the ESPRIT Arena where I fought against Eddie Chambers. The spectators and the atmosphere for that fight were great and I am sure it will be again this time.”
Jean-Marc Mormeck: “I can imagine what the odds will look like for me against Wladimir Klitschko. But I know my skills. I had Haye on the canvas and shortly before a knock out which Klitschko could not do. What I missed out against Haye I will now do with him. Wladimir has a glass chin which I will break. He cannot stand punches. Against his brother Vitali I would have thought longer about fighting him but against Wladimir I believe I have very good chances. On December 11, I will travel back to Paris with a suitcase full of championship belts. I enjoy being the underdog in this fight and I will shock the boxing world!”
The fight will be broadcast live on RTL in Germany and also shown in 120 countries worldwide.
The official ticket sale starts on www.eventim.de on October 12. Tickets are available from 20 Euro.
