Four fights in two years, the heavyweight belt, a rematch with David Haye. Jean-Marc Mormeck is returning to the ring and announces a path of crucifixion. In the columns of L’Equipe this Tuesday, the former WBA and WBC light heavyweight world champion outlines his comeback schedule. The challenge is matched only by the pride of the champion.
It’s hard not to remember. Jean-Marc Mormeck dominates the entire fight and falls. A terrible right uppercut counter in the middle of the seventh round. The referee, forced to stop the fight, awards the WBA-WBC light heavyweight double belt to David Haye. The Guadeloupean titan stutters a few words into the television microphones, all mobilized for this historic fight at the Marcel Cerdan Sports Palace in Levallois.
These words, tinged with regrets and repeated, unrewarded assaults, Jean-Marc Mormeck hardens today. Motivated but not very sharp, the colossus is determined to prove that the world of boxing cannot be satisfied with the likes of Valuev or even the two Klitschkos. The premier category, the heavyweights, aspires to be shaken up in the WBA.
Mormeck Targets Haye
The Russian Nicolay Valuev waits for a challenger, David Haye emerges as the next contender. Jean-Marc Mormeck gives himself two years and four fights before crossing gloves with the Brit. The last confrontation, and the ultimate rendezvous of Mormeck with a boxing ring, dates back to November 2007. 17 months later, “The Marsman,” the sharpshooter, is hardly recognizable.
Burdened with extra pounds, Jean-Marc Mormeck appears heavy and especially bloated from inactivity. Yet his statements are taken seriously. Winning back a belt, the Guadeloupean has done it before. O’Neil Bell remembers.
In 2002 against Virgil Hill and in 2005 against Wayne Braithwaite, Mormeck seizes the WBA and then the WBC light heavyweight belts.
With this double belt, the Frenchman is named Boxer of the Year by the American magazine Ring. Historic for a Frenchman. Mormeck seems untouchable and experiences his first major disillusionment.
January 2006, in the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York, the Frenchman suffers the first KO of his career against the Jamaican O’Neil Bell. Defeated, Mormeck refuses to be beaten down. The native of Pointe-à-Pitre chomps at the bit for thirteen months before taking his revenge and his two belts. By points, Mormeck gets the better of the Jamaican in March 2007 in Levallois. The decision, hotly contested, almost fuels a fight outside of the ring. The fact remains: Mormeck has regained his honor.
Two Years Four Fights
The light heavyweight belts smell obsolete to Mormeck today. He declined the proposal from his former promoter Don King to fight WBA light heavyweight world champion Guillermo Jones.
The boxer is thirsty for vengeance and recognition. He wants to fight against a man, not for titles. In November 2007, Jean-Marc Mormeck dominates David Haye for six rounds before the fatal uppercut. “I want to do things in order. I want to fight to get to him.” Filled with certainties, Jean-Marc Mormeck moves to the heavyweights. Saturated with revenge, Jean-Marc Mormeck sets himself four fights. Pride and ambition bring him back to the ring. And that, that’s heavyweight.
Visit Mormeck’s website
<
div style=”text-align: right;”>Rémi Alezine
