Klitschko out to make Mormeck his 50th knockout victim

BERLIN— Wladimir Klitschko plans on making Jean-marc Mormeck the 50th knockout 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," said Klitschko 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 knock-out to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas and Mormeck wants to break the Ukrainian's winning streak and take his titles.

"I know that I am underestimated against a bigger and heavier opponent," the 39-yearold 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 181 cms, compared to Klitschko's height of 198 cms.

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 postfight brawl between Chisora and ex-champion David Haye.