By Phil D. Jay
Alexander Dimitrenko is set to make the second defence of his European heavyweight title against former unified cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck. Mormeck, 38, has positioned himself into the mandatory position by racking up three straight victories in the higher division since moving up in 2009 and looks set to challenge for his first title at the weight.
28 year-old belt holder Dimitrenko has just one loss in 32 bouts since turning pro in 2001 and found himself just one fight away from a world title shot when he faced American Eddie Chambers in July 2009, only to lose a majority decision in a WBO title eliminator in Hamburg, Germany.
The Ukrainian has since picked up the EBU belt with an impressive last round KO win over Albert Sosnowski and looks likely to meet the Frenchman on his home soil sometime this summer. Mormeck (36-4, 22 KO’s) had hoped for a shot at WBA champion David Haye after losing his cruiserweight titles to the Briton in 2007, but a rematch was ruled out when the “Hayemaker” signed to fight Wladimir Klitschko on July 2nd.
Both fighters have until the deadline of 26th June to agree to the title bout or the European Boxing Union will send the fight to purse bids. With the pair seemingly having no other options, it looks likely the fight will be agreed in time and will probably take place in Paris at the Halle Carpentier where Mormeck has fought his last three fights. The bout could also double-up as an IBF title eliminator, with the winner in line for a shot later this year.
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net