Heavyweight world champion Vladimir Klitschko is targetting his 50th career knockout when he takes on outsider Jean-Marc Mormeck in Duesseldorf Saturday. Ukrainian Klitschko, whose older brother Vitali beat Briton Dereck Chisora on points earlier this month to retain his WBC crown, holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA versions of the title. “I am ready for this challenge,” Vladimir told a news conference in Duesseldorf Monday. “I still have the hunger and I do not take this fight lightly. “When you see how he talks, looks and moves then that shows he has the will and determination to become the first world heavyweight champion from France.” The 35-year-old warned the Frenchman, nicknamed “Mini Tyson” because of his build, would be no pushover even though he was 17 centimeters shorter at 1.81 meters than the Ukrainian. “It is extremely difficult to box against a man who is a lot shorter,” said Vladimir. “It does not make my job easier.” Vladimir, standing 1.98 meters tall, has notched 49 knockouts in his 59 professional fights, and has lost three. The fight had to be rescheduled from its original Dec. 10 2011 date after Vladimir pulled out to undergo surgery to remove a kidney stone. Mormeck, the 38-year-old former cruiserweight world champion, said he did not fear the Ukrainian, who will have a much wider reach due to his height. “I have an iron will and am tough. I fear no one and that is my mental strength,” he said. “Does he have that as well?”
