TalkingBoxing Interviews
Talking Boxing with JEAN-MARC MORMECK
FRI January 6, ROGER GORDILLO - In a small town in Ohio, along with 8 inches of snow, Jean Marc Mormeck continues his preparations in hopes of becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world in what maybe his final appearance at this weight. Mormeck, who fights tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET on SHOWTIME, will attempt to move to Heavyweight and capture sports most prestigious prize, a unified title.
With his eyes set on current WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster, Mormeck plans to make an immediate splash into to the division by making a fight that would undoubtedly be a barnburner and instantaneously making him a force to be reckoned with. While training at the Don King training camp in Orwell, Ohio, TalkingBoxing had a chance to speak to Mormeck and get some of his thoughts on his upcoming bout against IBF champ O'Neil Bell and on his future.
TalkingBoxing: Are your plans to fight predominately in the U.S. now?
Jean-Marc Mormeck: Since I was a kid in France, America has always been a dream. Dreaming for a U.S. champion as I would watch at night in France and today I have a chance to fight at the Madison Square Garden which has been a dream to me and of course I can fight there but I can also live there in the Madison square Garden.
TalkingBoxing: Who have you been sparring with in preparation for your upcoming fight?
Jean-Marc Mormeck: I am sparring here with Imamu Mayfield, Zack Page and Maurice Harris.
TalkingBoxing: Are you familiar with David Haye and Guillermo Jones and if you are what are thoughts on them as possible opponents in the future?
Jean-Marc Mormeck: For now I’m just thinking about O’Neil Bell, I don’t want to think of another fight or whatever. I have only one goal that is O’Neil Bell, that’s all.
TalkingBoxing: You stated earlier that if you win this match, you will step up to Heavyweight. Is there any time table you’re looking at that when you would make the move?
(Mormeck’s team cuts in) He said after this fight.
Mormeck continued yesterday at the final press conference saying, "Bell has been doing a lot of talking, but he is the one that has to justify himself (his credentials) - not me. I do not have to justify a thing. Bell has never fought anyone like me.
"I am a fighter. I live to fight. I am really looking forward to Saturday and proving to everybody who the best cruiserweight in the world is."
With Don King working with both Mormeck and Brewster, the chances of that fight being made are rather good. But Mormeck still needs to get past O’Neil Bell who is on a 23 fight win streak and while Mormeck has gone the distance in his last two fights, one of them being a very close 12 round unanimous decision over a 40 year old Virgil Hill, nothing is for certain.
Mormeck is the odds on favorite to win and a move up to heavyweight could help an already stagnating division. Mormeck needs to know that it is now or never because of the attention he has garnered with fans and critics in anticipation of seeing just how far the Frenchman can go. It’s hard to see him recapturing the momentum his career has it this time, a loss could send him back to France as nothing more than the last flavor of the month.
Wouldn't it be fun to have a hand in giving Mormeck a nickname? Go to Showtime Boxing to vote!
Forum
