BERLIN - Wladimir Klitschko plans on making Jean-Marc Mormeck the 50th knockout victim of his career on Saturday, while the Frenchman says he is determined to become his country's first world heavyweight champion.
World champion Klitschko will defend his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA titles against Mormeck, who stepped up from cruiserweight just over two years ago, in Dusseldorf.
The pair were scheduled to meet last December, but kidney stones forced Klitschko, 35, to postpone the fight, which will be the 60th of his career.
"I'm ready for this challenge," Klitschko said at Monday's press conference. "I still have the hunger and assume the task will not be easy."
Klitschko has not been beaten since April 2004, when he suffered a fifth-round technical knockout to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas and Mormeck wants to break the Ukrainian's winning streak. "I know that I am underestimated against a bigger and heavier opponent," the 39-year-old Mormeck told AFP.
"I have an iron will and I'm tough, I will give it my all. I have the mental strength too. Does he?"
This will be Mormeck's fourth heavyweight bout and Klitschko has said it will be tough against a man who is considerably shorter than he is with the challenger measuring 181cm, compared to Klitschko's height of 198cm.
Klitschko's brother Vitali defended his WBC heavyweight title against Britain's Dereck Chisora a fortnight ago in Munich, but the sport's image was tarnished by the post-fight brawl between Chisora and ex-champion David Haye.
Chisora had also slapped Vitali in the pre-bout weigh-in before running away.
Wladimir says he expects things to stay peaceful, but is taking nothing for granted.
"We are only on Monday, things also started peacefully in the press conference between Vitali and Chisora," said the younger Klitschko, who also suffered from Chisora's boorish behaviour when he spat in his face. Despite his threats to dethrone the champ, all bar three of Mormeck's 40 fights have been at the lighter weight, including a TKO at the hands of Haye at cruiserweight in 2007.
The Frenchman has enjoyed 22 KOs and four defeats against 36 victories.
"Wladimir is a great boxer in every way, but I've been preparing for years for this moment," he said.
Klitschko lines up Mormeck for 50th KO
BERLIN - Wladimir Klitschko plans on making Jean-Marc Mormeck the 50th knockout victim of his career on Saturday, while the Frenchman says he is determined to become his country's first world heavyweight champion.
World champion Klitschko will defend his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA titles against Mormeck, who stepped up from cruiserweight just over two years ago, in Dusseldorf.
The pair were scheduled to meet last December, but kidney stones forced Klitschko, 35, to postpone the fight, which will be the 60th of his career.
"I'm ready for this challenge," Klitschko said at Monday's press conference. "I still have the hunger and assume the task will not be easy."
Klitschko has not been beaten since April 2004, when he suffered a fifth-round technical knockout to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas and Mormeck wants to break the Ukrainian's winning streak. "I know that I am underestimated against a bigger and heavier opponent," the 39-year-old Mormeck told AFP.
"I have an iron will and I'm tough, I will give it my all. I have the mental strength too. Does he?"
This will be Mormeck's fourth heavyweight bout and Klitschko has said it will be tough against a man who is considerably shorter than he is with the challenger measuring 181cm, compared to Klitschko's height of 198cm.
Klitschko's brother Vitali defended his WBC heavyweight title against Britain's Dereck Chisora a fortnight ago in Munich, but the sport's image was tarnished by the post-fight brawl between Chisora and ex-champion David Haye.
Chisora had also slapped Vitali in the pre-bout weigh-in before running away.
Wladimir says he expects things to stay peaceful, but is taking nothing for granted.
"We are only on Monday, things also started peacefully in the press conference between Vitali and Chisora," said the younger Klitschko, who also suffered from Chisora's boorish behaviour when he spat in his face. Despite his threats to dethrone the champ, all bar three of Mormeck's 40 fights have been at the lighter weight, including a TKO at the hands of Haye at cruiserweight in 2007.
The Frenchman has enjoyed 22 KOs and four defeats against 36 victories.
"Wladimir is a great boxer in every way, but I've been preparing for years for this moment," he said.
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