BoxRec

We did 1 on Kessler last week, so I thought we should give Mormeck his dues. He was the 1st guy to unify any crusier titles since Holyfield, when he beat Braithwaite. He won the WBA title from a steroided up Virgil Hill, then made quality defenses vs Hill, Alexander Gurov and Dale Brown, then hammered Braithwaite to pick up the WBC and then went 1-1 in a memorable series with O'Neil Bell.

Being a pressure fighter, Mormeck was let down by Don King who got him on average 1 fight per year since winning the title in about 2002. This has to go down as totally unacceptable, and hurt his development & fighting stamina.

What gives me extra respect for Mormeck is that King tried to make Mormeck-Cunningham, so he could keep all the belts. Mormeck said no. From the Guardian's Kevin Mitchell:

King, he (Mormeck) said, would have preferred he fight Steve Cunningham - who just happens to be in King's stable. Mormeck was having none of it - and it was a major cause for the delay in staging this contest, which has been dogged from the start. For his stubborn sense of honour alone Haye has reason to be grateful to a decent and proud champion.

'King wanted me to meet him,' the Frenchman from Guadeloupe said. 'He doesn't give a toss whether I win or lose. He'd win which ever way it went. King has got money and he always wants more. He's used to having people at his feet begging him, but I don't do any of that.' Invariably, though, in boxing someone ends up at ground level.

I'll certainly give him his dues, but hope that he retires now as he looked like an old fighter in there.
Even taking into account Haye's superb body shots, it was alarming at how quickly Mormeck gassed and while it's always easier to comment in hindsight, you have to wonder how much the two Bell fights took out of him.

yeah, at 36 there's nothing left at the top. hope he gets his Tiozzo fight. It would be phone booth warfare all the way. Tiozzo retired WBA light heavy champ so in a way still has credentials.

Whats not mentioned is he is very skilled, against Haye he looked very reminicent of James Toney. If Mormeck had more stamina he would have had Haye out of there. What seems to be forgot now is Mormeck was winning that fight and hurting Haye until the KO, which was a big turnaround really. You can't sleep on the Hayemaker

Mormeck basically fought some really tough guys with no skills, like Bell and Braithwaite. He was better when he was younger and leaner, in the days he was grinding down Virgil Hill and Dale Brown.

Brown was his peak, and he did that in France, when he was absolutely on fire.

Haye is bigger than those guys and much more skilled. Watching the fight again, his body shots were fecking massive, accurate blows that brought JMM's hands down and raised gasps from him. Rd 4 apart, this was a masterclass in systematic beatdown.

Mormeck showed he had the power when he applied himself, although Haye was 30lbs underweight, the first Bell fight was a classic and it's a shame Mormeck's powers are dwindling when the Cruiserweight division is now picking up more popularity.

And fair play for defying King!!!

Mormeck has been really hurt by inactivity IMO. His best years were wasted and now he's pretty much a spent force. Surely that's it for him.

I still think he would beat Enzo

leforge wrote:I still think he would beat Enzo

Two years ago I'd have agreed with you but can't see it now. He's got nothing left and Enzo has come on a lot in the same period.

Deserter wrote:

leforge wrote:I still think he would beat Enzo

Two years ago I'd have agreed with you but can't see it now. He's got nothing left and Enzo has come on a lot in the same period.

Could be a way back for Mormeck if he wants one. Probably a big "if" though. Also not sure Enzo would want to feast on Haye's leftovers. Would be particularly embarassing if he lost!