Talking Boxing with WAYNE BRAITHWAITE &
JEAN MARC MORMECK
by
Brian Skjold
3/30 - In the fight game very little is guaranteed, but when Wayne Braithwaite and Jean Marc Mormeck lace up their gloves and climb the steps to that haloed square ring we know that only one thing is for certain….History will be made. On April 2nd the DCU center in Worcester Mass. will host the first cruiserweight unification bout since 1988 when Evander Holyfield beat Carlos DeLeon for the WBC, WBA, & IBF titles, and we will finally have a unified champ in the once fledgling division.
Wayne Braithwaite and Jean Marc Mormeck are highly regarded as the two best fighters in the cruiserweights and both are looking to be the star that will save the division from obscurity.
Braithwaite talks about what he can do for boxing. “I’m the guy who can bring a lot of fans to the cruiserweight division. I hope on April 2nd a lot of people tune in and see me do my work.”
Likewise, Mormeck feels April 2nd is his time to shine. “I want to prove to everyone that I’m the man of the situation and the man of the division.”
As these two fighters brace for this cruiserweight collision it becomes obvious that these are two very different men. But, as fighters they have quite a few parallels. Each is making his fourth defense of their title and for both Braithwaite and Mormeck, this fight will be the defining moment in their respective careers, thus far. Mormeck and Braithwaite tell us what it’s like to be unifying the WBC and WBA belts in front of a national audience on Showtime.
Braithwaite says, “I’m happy that I’m the main event on Showtime. I’m excited to be fighting for a WBA belt because what’s going to happen on April 2nd is going to be history. They will see a new star born on April 2nd”
Mormeck feels similar about the experience. “This is the biggest moment of my life. What fighter would not dream about that? I asked for this unification and so I’m very excited about that.”
The resemblance doesn’t end there. Braithwaite and Mormeck both have aggressive tactics, and each can deliver their heavy handed shots with ease. Both of these guys have crowd pleasing styles that endear them to their fans, and each fully expects the other to live up to their billing.
Braithwaite plans on being ready for Mormeck. “I expect him to be in the best shape [he can] be in, and to bring the fight to me. Whatever he brings I’ll be prepared for.”
Mormeck is also prepared. “I think he is going to come out in the first round, go fast, try to punch me and try to knock me out in the beginning.”
Though both men expect the other to be gunning for them, they also advise caution.
Braithwaite is confident he will be able to take advantage of Mormeck. “He’s never really fought a boxer with the lateral movement, head movement, speed, and punching power I have. He’s never fought anyone like that. He’s never fought my quality of fighter.”
Mormeck is also very sure of the experience and the skill he brings to the table. “He should be careful of everything and especially he should be careful of going into the ring with me.”
The winner of this bout is going to be the unified WBC, WBA cruiserweight champion and will be the virtual kingpin of the division. With plenty of options available, the most logical would be to attempt to unify all of the belts and become the undisputed cruiserweight champion.
Braithwaite has his sites set on not only becoming the unified champ, but he’s also looking forward to bigger and better things. “I’m looking to unify all the belts and be the undisputed cruiserweight champion. I’m looking to be the star of the division.”
At the same time, the unification of all three belts is at the top of Mormeck’s priority list. “It is a goal. On May 20, there is the IBF vacant title fight. Maybe I’ll go and watch. I will fight the winner of the IBF title.”
Along with becoming the unified champ, a lot of other doors will be open for the fighter who prevails on Saturday. Among these options would be the chance to possibly fight someone they’ve always wanted to take on, including former IBF cruiserweight champ Vassiliy Jirov. Mormeck is focused on his plans for unification and isn’t really looking beyond the next couple of fights, but he wouldn’t say no to a fight with Jirov.
“Jirov is very welcome in the division. I’m willing to make a challenge, so whatever challenge, no problem.”
On the other hand, Braithwaite’s wish list seems to be a virtual “Who’s Who” of boxing. “There are a lot of fights I want to fight. I always wanted to fight Roy Jones, but I guess he’s retired. I’d like to fight Glen Johnson, Tarver, maybe a couple of small heavyweights. I’d like to fight all the top cruiserweight fighters. I was calling Jirov out for a long time, before he fought James Toney and Joe Mesi. I was calling him out a long time ago and he never answered me back.”
In a division that has been lacking excitement and fans, a unification bout is just what the doctor ordered. This match-up has the potential to be a Fight-of –the-Year caliber fight, and can only help the cruiserweight division as well as boxing itself. This match-up has a lot of potential and we could be in for an exciting finish. The only question left is who will walk away with the belts. Braithwaite thinks he already knows the answer.
“I’m going to keep my belt. I’m going to take Mormeck’s belt. I’m going to be the unified champion.”
This fight is going to come down to who’s willing to lay it all on the line and who has the most heart. Mormeck isn’t worried, “I have two hearts. I will win before decision…do you have any doubt about it?”
With two big punchers in the ring and a lot on the line, someone’s going down…I don’t doubt it at all.
Also, I need to thank Natalie Christol for all her help translating with
Jean-Marc Mormeck!
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