Mormeck Moving Up

If unified Cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck beats O'Neil Bell on Saturday night at the Theater in Madison Square Garden, Mormeck will become the first undisputed champion at the weight class since Evander Holyfield in 1988. But don't expect him to hold that distinction for too long. Mormeck is already discussing (should he beat Bell) a move up to the heavyweight division. For a division that was widely populated by big men just a few years ago, the time may finally be right for Mormeck to step up. After all, both Chris Byrd and James Toney, arguably the two best heavyweights in the world, began their careers as middleweights. So a one division jump for Mormeck may not be too hard.

"I like this (Cruiserweight) division," Mormeck told Fightnews on Tuesday thru his interpreter/advisor Stephan Groussard. "(But at heavyweight) there used to be big ones like Lennox Lewis (big ones in weight). But now if it's to fight (John) Ruiz or (Chris) Byrd I think I will be ready for that. I can't fight the big heavyweights. But I feel I am the right size at this time."

Obviously, Mormeck (31-2, 21 KO's) must first beat Bell before he does anything significant at heavyweight. And though Bell is coming off of a few unimpressive victories, he still possesses enough power (23 knock-outs in 25 wins) to end Mormeck's plans for the future. Still, the Frenchman says he hasn't done anything differently to offset his opponent's power. "I didn't taste it yet," Mormeck reasoned regarding Bell's power. "(But) I don't train differently. I think I am better trained than I used to be, even more seriously."

When asked what he thought of Bell's assertion that the fight would be a "bull-matador event" with Mormeck as the bull and Bell as the matador, Mormeck grew serious. "He's saying what he thinks but the fight never goes like you think. It's always different," explained Mormeck. "I remember when I fought Braithwaite, Braithwaite said 'there was going to be a big hurricane and I don't think Jean-Marc is never going to come to this fight.' And I remember we were at the fight and the hurricane didn't come. I was the hurricane. And Braithwaite lost."

Only time will tell if that hurricane arrives at the Garden. But if it does, both Bell and the heavyweight division could be in for a jolt. "I'm just getting a lot of attention in the media so I'm getting bigger," Mormeck said. "But I know what I am doing is big." Both literally and possibly in the future, physically as well.