Klitschko vs Mormeck: Stunning Upset Won't Save Boring Bout
Anyone who needs proof that the heavyweight division of boxing is dead should not look any further than Saturday's Wladimir Klitschko vs. Jean-Marc Mormeck bout.
Klitschko will put his WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO & The Ring Heavyweight titles up against Mormeck in a bout where one thing is guaranteed: boredom.
The last two fights from the Klitschko brothers haven't exactly been riveting, but at least there was an underlying thought that an upset could spark something in the division. Their last two opponents, David Haye (Wladimir) and Dereck Chisora (Vitali) were longshots, but they were young and naive enough to think that they had a chance.
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Mormeck doesn't have that, nor is he all that close. No, he is a guy that will be 40 in June.
As a fan of the sport, what is there to be excited about? This fight has absolutely no pull.
For one, the chances are slim to none that Mormeck will win. He is fighting up in class and against a man that hasn't dropped a bout since 2004, claiming each of his last 14 bouts, winning the majority of those by knockout.
Mormeck has not taken a punch from anyone with Klitschko's power. He is going to have a hard time taking this bout past six rounds, let alone going the distance or even winning.
But just for fun, let's say Mormeck pulls a stunning upset. Then what? He isn't the future of the sport. As a matter of fact, Mormeck is four years older than Klitschko. With Haye or Chisora, you at least had the intrigue of watching a guy that should he win, could be around for a long time.
Obviously the Klitschko brothers can't control the fact that there is no real competition for them in the division. But they at least owe it to the boxing world to give some up and comers a chance, rather than fall back into comfortable, veteran opponents.
As fans, we need at least a possibility that an upset could lead to something. When that isn't delivered, there's no real reason to pay attention.
Prediction: Klitschko by knockout, fifth round.
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