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After his convincing win over Ola Afolabi on Saturday, WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck feels ready for a rematch against mandatory challenger Firat Arslan, who was watching from ringside. “I want to give the fans some even more spectacular fights and prove that I am able to beat everyone in convincing fashion,” said Huck.

Recarding the Afolabi fight Huck stated, “Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer and not just a warrior inside the ring. This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.” Huck’s trainer Ulli Wegner agreed, commenting “I can only praise Marco for this win. The way he fought from the beginning to the end was close to a perfect performance of him. Afolabi might be the more refined boxer of the two but tonight he lost against the better man and the better strategy.”

Afolabi stated, “I gave my best but it wasn´t enough. Huck is the rightful winner as I have no excuses at all.” His trainer Fritz Sdunek was also disappointed: “I thought that Ola might pull the fight around in round ten but Marco upset our plan.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/marco-huck-eyes-rematch-with-firat-next-205402

Olav Afolabi, Marco Huck

Marco Huck is still the WBO Cruiserweight World Champion. Before a massive crowd of 5,000 spectators at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany, he beat the previous interim titleholder Ola Afolabi. It was not the win itself that was so surprising but the way the 28-year-old achieved it. Throughout the whole twelve rounds he showed a disciplined performance and won on points by scores of 117:111, 115:113 and a confusing 114:114. After a short-lived feeling-out it was the defending champion who took control with eye-catching combinations, which rattled his challenger. Afolabi tried to tire out Huck, by aiming for the German´s body most of the time but without much effect. Instead it was the Briton, who tired late in the championship rounds. Besides putting his well-known warrior’s mentality on display, Huck was counter-punching Afolabi for most of the fight.

“Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer  and not just a warrior inside the ring,” said Huck after the fight, his eleventh defense of the WBO Title. “This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.”

Huck’s coach Ulli Wegner agreed with his prodigy: “I can only praise Marco for this win. The way he fought from the beginning to the end was close to a perfect performance of him. Afolabi might be the more refined boxer of the two but tonight he lost against the better man and the better strategy.”

“I gave my best but it wasn´t enough. Huck is the rightful winner as I have no excuses at all,” Afolabi confirmed afterwards, his third loss in 25 fights. His coach Fritz Sdunek was also disappointed: “I thought that Ola might pull the fight around in round ten but Marco upset our plan.”

Huck, who now has 36 victories to his name, feels ready for a rematch against mandatory challenger Firat Arslan, who was watching from ringside. “I want to give the fans some even more spectacular fights and prove that I am able to beat everyone in convincing fashion.”

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/2013/huck-outclasses-afolabi-in-decisive-victory/

Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013

WBO Jr. Heavyweight Championship Title

Location: Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany

Promoter:  Sauerland Events/Wilfred Sauerland

Referee:  Eddie Cotton

Judges:   John Madfis, Deon Dwarte, Lahcen Oumghar

Supervisor:  John Haandelar

Result:   Marco Huck retained WBO Jr. Heavyweight Title against Ola Afolabi by Majority Decision with scores 117-111 (John Madfis),  115-113 (Deon Dwarte),  114-114 (Lahcen Oumghar)

 

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Marco Huck retained his WBO cruiserweight title by beating Ola Afolabi in Berlin on Saturday night.

The German won on a majority decision in the third meeting against the challenger from England.

South African judge Deon Dwarte scored the bout 115-113 in favour of Huck. John Madfis of the United States had it 117-111 but there was some surprise at the Max-Schmeling-Halle when Lahcen Oumghar of the Netherlands scored it 114-114.

The champion did not look overly troubled and improved his record to 36-2-1, including 25 knockouts. Afolabi dropped to 19-3-4, with 9 knockouts.

Huck also retained his belt on a majority draw in May last year and beat the Briton on a narrow unanimous decision in May 2009.

“Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer  and not just a warrior inside the ring,” said Huck after the fight, his eleventh defense of the WBO Title. “This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.”

He has made 11 successful defences of the title he won from Victor Emilio Ramirez in 2009.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-huck-overcomes-afolabi-trilogy-showdown–66425

 

afolabi-huck-3 (1)The weights are in for Saturday’s trilogy showdown between WBO cuiserweight champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25KOs) and mandatory challenger Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9KOs), which takes place at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. The champion stepped on the scale and came in at 198.6-pounds, while Afolabi was 197.5. Huck won a close twelve round decision in 2009 and they fought to a twelve round draw in 2012. Both fights were wars and another one is expected in the third meeting.

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http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-weights-marco-huck-vs-ola-afolabi-trilogy–66337

Huck, Afolabi

By Ian Aldous: Ola Afolabi (19-2-4) will challenge Marco Huck (35-2-1) for a third time on Saturday June 8th with the WBO world cruiserweight belt up for grabs. The first two fights saw bouts that were very difficult to score, the second so close that it was in fact a majority draw.

Not only was it close, it was a contender for fight of the year in 2012. Last week Ola and K2 Promotions managing director, Tom Loeffler, took some time to talk with me about the upcoming fight.

It’s not often that a fighter prepares for a bout having already spent 72 minutes in the ring with that particular opponent.

To know your opponent so well counteracts the fact that he knows your style so well. It’s interesting how a fighter approaches a trilogy-making fight, “It’s easier mentally because we’ve done it, like you say, two dozen times before and put on a good show. I feel like he’s always come to each fight at his peak, with everything he’s got. It’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what I have to bring, and I’m bringing everything this time.”

At the end of the second fight on May 5th of last year, we’d witnessed a magnificent twelve rounds that saw both fighters stunned but neither on the mat. It was clear to everyone that it was a close fight. Immediately after the final bell, what was Ola thinking? “My immediate thoughts were that if it was close, I’m gonna get robbed. And I knew it was close, I just thought they gonna rob me right away even without hearing anything from anybody. If a fight’s this close in Germany, you’re not gonna get the decision. I was surprised to get the draw, but I was also shocked they didn’t rob me. Everything happens for a reason, we’re here to get it done and we’re gonna end this beef that we have.”

So, with the third fight less than a week away, it begs the question: can Ola Afolabi get a decision over Marco Huck in Germany? “You know, this time I actually think the pressure of the knockout is not as important as the first two fights, because I feel Huck has had two gifts (hometown decisions) back-to-back and the whole world is watching. At one point it was just a fight going down in Germany and they can do whatever they wanna do, but now, I don’t wanna toot my own horn but it’s become like a worldwide fight, people are talking about it. Mainly because the first two fights were good and Huck has got so many gifts and everybody is complaining. I’m not naïve in saying ‘I can totally win on points’, I’m gonna go for the knockout but it’s not gonna be the defining point to make of this fight. I’m just gonna go to win and if a knockout comes, it comes. I really don’t think I need a knockout to win.”

One of the more surprising aspects in the run up to this fight came in the form of Don King winning the purse bids for the fight, despite the fact he doesn’t promote either fighter. According to K2’s Tom Loeffler, it was an inconvenience that didn’t really surprise him. “It went to purse bids and we thought it wasn’t a real, legitimate bid because Sauerland has a TV deal in Germany and we have a TV deal in Germany. I think Don got involved and then was trying to put the fight together and at the end of the day, it just became a delay with the fight. There’s no real setbacks because that just gave Ola some additional time to train and right now, when I watch him sparring and in training, he’s the best by far that I’ve ever seen him.” Ola continued where Tom left off, “It was a surprise that he came into the purse bids because I didn’t know he had anything to do with either fighter.” The postponement of the fight is something that Ola believes he has taken a benefit from. “This is an advantage for me because I had more time to work on my game and I’m still learning as I go. It’s a learning process every day. I’ll still be learning until the night of the fight, so anytime that I get to work on my game is a good thing.”

Despite the fact that Huck has suffered one defeat as a cruiserweight way back in 2007 to Steve Cunningham for the IBF belt, it’s arguably true that Afolabi has been the fighter to trouble Huck the most in his career as a 200lbs fighter. “I don’t need to sound all cocky and all but I actually do believe that. He’s had some tough fights with Lebedev and Firat Arslan beat him like everybody knows (Huck won by a controversial decision). With Firat, he really wasn’t scared of his power, Firat just had his number and the style to defeat him and unfortunately he didn’t get the result. When he fights me, even though he’s very explosive, he knows that in the first round I had him hurt so bad, I just couldn’t finish him.” He continued, “The only person that’s knocked him out was Cunningham and that was because of exhaustion in the last round. So, if you look at all his fights, I’m the only person that’s actually physically hurt him bad. I know he respects that, same way I respect that he’s a top fighter. If he doesn’t respect that he’d just be a fool and he’ll regret it come June 8th.”

Due to the severe test of their previous fight, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to many fans if Huck and his team would have looked to avoid settling the feud with Afolabi – thankfully the WBO mandated the fight. “If this fight wasn’t mandatory, trust me, Huck could say whatever he wants to say to the newspapers and magazines that he’ll finally destroy me in his hometown of Berlin and all that, but if it wasn’t for the mandatory fight, they’d rather fight somebody else. They’d rather give Firat a rematch than fight me because my style presents trouble for him. He pretty much had to take this fight. When he goes on radio and talks about how he’s putting money in my pocket, this guy’s a fool, he doesn’t know how the rating system works. I fought my way back up after I lost in 2009, took me three years to get back to a position to fight him and they robbed me and I’m still mandatory because I kept my (interim) belt. We’re gonna do it again, so he’s not putting money in my pocket, if anything he’s taking money away from my pocket because I won that last fight and I should be getting the bigger cut of the purse. But that’s over and done with and we’re gonna deal with that this time.”

Huck vs. Afolabi III will be shown live on Boxnation in the UK this Saturday night.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/ola-afolabi-talks-about-trilogy-making-world-title-challenge-against-marco-huck/

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World Boxing Organization (WBO) President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referee and judges who will work this Saturday in the cruiserweight world title fight between the champion Marco Huck and the interim champion Ola Afolabi, to be held at the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. The referee is Eddie Cotton from United States. Judges will be John Madfis from United States, Deon Dwarte from South Africa and Lahcen Oumghar from The Netherlands. The WBO supervisor for this fight will be John Handelaar.

Huck and Afolabi have collided two times. In their first fight, Huck beat Afolabi by unanimous decision on December 5, 2009, while on May 5, 2012, the second bout between Huck and Afolabi ended in a majority draw.

http://www.fightnews.com/page/2

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Photos by Photo Wende –

Champion and challenger are ready for war on June 8! Saturday night will see Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) take on Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) for the third time. After winning their first matchup and drawing the second, the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion is hoping to close the chapter Afolabi once and for all, when they square off at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany. During today´s public workout both fighters made it clear, that their confidence is sky high ahead of the big fight.

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The first one to show off his set of skills was Afolabi. After some rope skipping and hitting the pads with his coach Fritz Sdunek he addressed the media in attendance. “Fritz Sdunek got me into the best shape of my life. So far ahead of every fight, I was either physical or mentally fit. However, this time round, I have hit top form in both aspects. Now, I am the total package!” Sdunek agreed with his prodigy. “Under my guidance, Ola learned the meaning of discipline. That will make the difference come Saturday.”

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Next to step into the ring was the champion himself. And although this was just a workout session, Huck made it obvious that he was not messing around. The punches connecting with the pads held by his coach Ulli Wegner seemed to be meant as a message to the watching Afolabi. “I hope he understood what I was doing there. Afolabi will get to feel the best combinations inside the ring on Saturday,” said the 28-year-old. Ulli Wegner got straight to the point. “We will keep the belt in Berlin!”

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Also showing off some of their abilities where light heavyweights Robert Woge (11-0, 10 KOs) and Eduard Gutknecht (24-2, 9 KOs) who will also be competing for international honors in the main support on June 8.

Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany, are available at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

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http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-marco-huck-ola-afolabi-ready-trilogy-war–66260

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WBO World Champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) and his challenger Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) have already entered fight mode. During Wednesday´s press conference, three days before the top-notch cruiserweights square off inside the ring, they got involved into a verbal altercation.

28-year-old Huck accused his opponent of provoking him on purpose. “He is just trying to rattle my cage and is hoping that it will cause me to make mistakes,” said the prodigy of coach Ulli Wegner. “But he is fighting a losing battle. I am the champion and I will still be the champion after the fight. I will give him my answers inside the ring.” And the German was not done yet. “I proved before that I can beat him. But he cannot beat me. I know that I am better than he is. I also have a better fan base behind me, who will be celebrating another victory with me after I am done with that guy.”

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However, Afolabi who resides in Los Angeles seems to have taken on some of the Hollywood-attitude surrounding him. After being asked if he really is as confident as he makes himself out to be or if he is just an actor, he replied: “I am an actor! Marco wants to give his fans a great show and so do I. All these theatrics ahead of the fight only increase the attention. We definitely enjoyed ourselves. It got a bit heated, but that is the way it’s supposed to be.”

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However, Afolabi could not resist another attempt to unnerve the champion. “If you are a Huck fan you might say that he won our last fight. If you are an Afolabi fan, you might give it to me. However, after Marco Huck’s last fight against Firat Arslan, Stevie Wonder looked at me and said: Arslan definitely won no doubt about it.”

Huck immediately replied to the laughing Brit: “You are smiling now. But you won’t be after Saturday.”

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Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany are available at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-huck-afolabi-face-face-trilogy-presser–66275

 

 

Alexander-Povetkin-v-Marco-Huck-Press-Conference

Photo: googleimages/www.sports.ru// –

June 8 will see a fast paced and highly entertaining fight at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin: Current WBO Champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) takes on Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) for the third time. The two previous title bouts between them were extremely close and full of action. Currently the reigning champion is in his last preparations of his training camp. In an interview, the prodigy of coach Ulli Wegner gives insights into his fitness and what he thinks of his opponent Ola Afolabi.

Marco Huck, you are currently at a training camp close to the Baltic Sea. How are you feeling?

Marco Huck: I am feeling really good. The surrounding here is ideal for a good preparation. It is just a few steps from the hotel to the gym – and just a few more to the beach. We also have a great spa where I can relax after a hard day’s work. I am getting to my best, which I will be come June 8.

Would you say that preparations are more intense when you are at a training camp?

Marco Huck: Yes, I would definitely say so. You can completely focus on the sport and your goals. Nothing else matters during that time. Everything that could distract you is far away. That enables the coach to get the best out of you.

The fight against Ola Afolabi has been floating around for quite some time now. Different dates for the fight have been mentioned. How did you cope with this situation of uncertainty?

Marco Huck: It was very uncomfortable. The date has been changed on numerous occasions and I have been preparing for the fight since the beginning of the year. It is like if you are stuck in top gear but you are unable to release the handbrake. After everything was finally settled, I was fully focused on the fight and started to look forward to it.

This will be the third time that you square off with Afolabi. How does the knowledge you possess about him influence your training?

Marco Huck: My coach Mister Wegner as well as myself know exactly how to prepare for Afolabi. The main focus during the preparation is on the strategy. Whoever manages to surprise the other one will stand a better chance to win.

Which strengths did you detect during your first two fights with Afolabi? Where do you see his weaknesses?

Marco Huck: He is technically very gifted and has a powerful punch, which I felt first hand. I also know some of his weaknesses but I won’t unveil them before the big night. You will be able to see them come June 8.

How do you deal with the fact that Afolabi always seems to come back? Do you find that frustrating?

Marco Huck: No, not at all. Afolabi is a world-class operator at cruiserweight who fought hard for his position in the rankings. Our first two encounters were very tough and close battles. That is exactly what the fans want to see when they watch a fight. And I want to give them another exciting bout.

Would you say that it is easier to fight someone, who has shared the ring with you before or is it more challenging?

Marco Huck: I would say that it is easier. I doubt that he has developed as a boxer. Therefore, I know that I will cause him some serious problems, which he will not have dealt with during the previous two fights.

Which one of the two mentioned encounters did you like more? The first one from 2009 or the second one back in 2012?

Marco Huck: Definitely the 2009 fight. That was my first title defense of the world championship. I was very motivated and followed my tactics throughout the whole of the twelve rounds. Our rematch in 2012 was a whole different story. I just lost against Alexander Povetkin for the heavyweight crown, which I thought I won. After this disappointing loss I went through a low. That is why I was not able to show my full potential last May in Erfurt. However, that will change dramatically in Berlin. I will be back at my best.

June 8 will be your first fight in Berlin for more than two years. How excited are you to be returning to the German capital?

Marco Huck: I live here and in my opinion Berlin is one of the best cities in the world. It is a great place to live and I feel right at home. That is why I want to put on a good show at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.

Is there a danger of being too motivated going into the fight, as this is your home city?

Marco Huck: I will have to be careful not to get carried away by the reception of the crowd. That being said, normally a good atmosphere gives me some extra strength and energy, which pushes me a bit more and helps me to win. That will probably also be the case on June 8.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/qa-wbo-cruiserweight-champion-marco-huck-202441

 

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By Jake Donovan –

Ola Afolabi has come up short in each of his two attempts at wresting the cruiserweight crown from Marco Huck. The British cruiserweight hopes the third time is a charm when the pair meet once again on June 8 in Germany.

Their rematch last May ended in a draw, also serving as Afolabi’s last ring appearance as he has been out of the ring for more than a year. The tie verdict was debatable but generally viewed as a fairer outcome than was the case in his disputed points loss to Huck in Dec. ’09.

“It was extremely tough,” Afolabi (19-2-4, 9KO) admits of his efforts to live with the outcome of last year’s bout. “Towards the end of (the fight), I lost my focus. That allowed (Huck) to get back into the bout. My mental preparation ahead of the fight was not ideal and that took its toll back then.”

Not leaving anything to chance for their third fight, Afolabi decided to make changes in his training camp. The 33-year old trained in Big Bear with noted trainer Abel Sanchez, the first time in his career he has spent significant time preparing in the California location wildly popular in boxing circles. He has since shifted camp back to Germany to properly acclimate for next weekend’s showdown.

“[Training] has been really good,” Afolabi said of his preparation for next weekend’s title challenge. “I have started my preparations back in November of last year. I went to Big Bear in California to work on my conditioning, which I have also been working on while we were staying in Zinnowitz, Germany. If I compare my current fitness level to previous camps, it is a difference of day and night.”

Ring rust is a concern, though not as much as his admission of having spent the better part of the past six months in the gym preparing for this fight.

However, Afolabi insists that burnout is of no concern and that the workouts have been properly spaced out.

“No, there is no danger whatsoever,” Afolabi insists. “I have mostly been working on my conditioning by running a lot as well as on my mental strength. Sparring only started a few weeks ago. I will be at my best when I step into the ring come June 8

“A big difference is that I have changed my diet. I am eating properly and take vitamin supplements. I quit eating Cheeseburgers and other junk food and have turned to healthy food instead. It makes a huge difference. I could make the weight for the fight right now. So by not having to make weight I can concentrate on my training and keep my focus.”

Afolabi’s workouts have been well documented in the media, a development that played out by design.

“I am very proud of myself and the way the preparation has been going so far. I want my fans to know, that I am not just talking but backing it up. It also keeps me motivated when the supporters give me a positive feedback.  Moreover, I am only posting photos of my progress.

“I do not talk about my sparring and I do not go into detail. All it does is that it should motivate Huck. He knows that I am ready. So he better be ready himself.”

The trilogy with Huck (35-2-1, 25KO) marks the London-born Afolabi’s ninth consecutive appearance in Europe after having spent the first six years of his career in the United States. Their first fight back in 2009 served as Huck’s very first title defense.

http://www.boxingscene.com/afolabi-made-many-adjustments-huck-trilogy–66101

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War of words during first presser ahead of WBO World Championship –

There is definitely no love lost. Britain´s Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) did say he would hug and shake hands with his opponent Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) after their WBO Title Fight on June 8 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany – but the attending members of the press were not really convinced after the pair´s previous war of words during Monday’s press conference.

Before Afolabi started his attempt to calm things down, current WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck and the Interims Titlist were involved in a heated exchange of words. The first one to trade verbal blows was the 28-year-old German. “Afolabi is starting to get on my nerves. I beat him in December 2009. After I fought Alexander Povetkin for the WBA Heavyweight Crown, it was difficult for me to find the right motivation for my rematch with Afolabi in May last year. However, I believe that I actually won that bout, even though it was scored as a majority draw. That won’t happen again. I will win in my own backyard. We won’t be playing cat and mouse anymore. This will be a war – I won’t be holding back.”

That was the cue for Afolabi to start his own rant. “Huck shouldn’t be able to call himself world champion anymore. In my opinion, he lost on three previous occasions. He lost against Lebedev, he lost against me and also against Arslan. He should only be able to call himself German Champion or Champion of Berlin,” said the 33-year-old. The Brit stated that he is planning to humiliate Huck in front of his own fans. “I would be ready to take him on this weekend.” Then Afolabi directed his next words directly towards Huck. “Everybody knows that I have always been a good technician, but now my fitness level is also excellent. I will seriously hurt you come June 8. You will need a wheelchair after the fight,” said the Los Angeles based cruiserweight.

It is obvious that there is a lot of tension in the air, also partially due to the duel between the two most popular and respected coaches of German boxing. Once again Ulli Wegner (Huck´s coach) and Fritz Sdunek (works with Afolabi) will stand in opposite corners.

http://www.boxing-online.com/en/news-archive/news-details/article/huck-vs-afolabi-gets-heated.html

GER, Öffentliches Pressetraining Boxen

Intense preparation ahead of Afolabi fight key for successful title defense?

The wait for Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) is almost over. On June 8, the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion will lace-up his gloves for the very first time in his home city of Berlin, Germany after two and a half years on the road. The 28-year-old will take on interim-titlist Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in his eleventh defense of his belt and the third against the Brit.

“All good things come in threes”, said Huck, who is currently in the hot phase of his preparations. “So far Afolabi hasn’t been able to find a way to beat me and it won’t be any different this time round.” And of course the prodigy of Ulli Wegner wants to prove that he does not just talk the talk but also walks the walk. Hence, he will not be holding back during this week’s training as the sparring has just begun.

“We have laid down the foundations. Now we are waiting to see if Marco is able to stick to the tactics we worked on when he is under the pressure of sparring”, explained coach Wegner. “Afolabi will present a difficult challenge, partially due to Fritz Sdunek standing in his corner. However, I’m sure that we have the best sparring partners possible.”

The fact that he is fighting in his own backyard makes the third encounter with the Brit even more special for Huck. “I’m so excited to be back in Berlin and I want to give the boxing fans in Germany´s capital a real spectacle,” promised the champion. “That is why I will be giving it a 100 percent during my preparation. The spectators inside the Max-Schmeling-Halle have a real barnburner to look forward to.”

http://www.boxing-online.com/en/news-archive/news-details/article/sparring-for-huck.html

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The wait for Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) is almost over. On June 8, the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion will lace-up his gloves for the very first time in his home city of Berlin, Germany after two and a half years on the road. The 28-year-old will take on interim-titlist Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in his eleventh defense of his belt and the third against the Brit.

“All good things come in threes”, said Huck, who is currently in the hot phase of his preparations. “So far Afolabi hasn’t been able to find a way to beat me and it won’t be any different this time round.” And of course the prodigy of Ulli Wegner wants to prove that he does not just talk the talk but also walks the walk. Hence, he will not be holding back during this week’s training as the sparring has just begun.

“We have laid down the foundations. Now we are waiting to see if Marco is able to stick to the tactics we worked on when he is under the pressure of sparring”, explained coach Wegner. “Afolabi will present a difficult challenge, partially due to Fritz Sdunek standing in his corner. However, I’m sure that we have the best sparring partners possible.”

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The fact that he is fighting in his own backyard makes the third encounter with the Brit even more special for Huck. “I’m so excited to be back in Berlin and I want to give the boxing fans in Germany´s capital a real spectacle,” promised the champion. “That is why I will be giving it a 100 percent during my preparation. The spectators inside the Max-Schmeling-Halle have a real barnburner to look forward to.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/marco-huck-promises-real-barnburner-with-afolabi–65508

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There is definitely no love lost. Britain´s Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) did say he would hug and shake hands with his opponent Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) after their WBO Title Fight on June 8 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany – but the attending members of the press were not really convinced after the pair´s previous war of words during Monday’s press conference. Photos by Photo Wende.

Before Afolabi started his attempt to calm things down, current WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck and the Interims Titlist were involved in a heated exchange of words. The first one to trade verbal blows was the 28-year-old German.

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“Afolabi is starting to get on my nerves. I beat him in December 2009. After I fought Alexander Povetkin for the WBA Heavyweight Crown, it was difficult for me to find the right motivation for my rematch with Afolabi in May last year. However, I believe that I actually won that bout, even though it was scored as a majority draw. That won’t happen again. I will win in my own backyard. We won’t be playing cat and mouse anymore. This will be a war – I won’t be holding back.”

That was the cue for Afolabi to start his own rant.

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“Huck shouldn’t be able to call himself world champion anymore. In my opinion, he lost on three previous occasions. He lost against Lebedev, he lost against me and also against Arslan. He should only be able to call himself German Champion or Champion of Berlin,” said the 33-year-old. The Brit stated that he is planning to humiliate Huck in front of his own fans. “I would be ready to take him on this weekend.” Then Afolabi directed his next words directly towards Huck. “Everybody knows that I have always been a good technician, but now my fitness level is also excellent. I will seriously hurt you come June 8. You will need a wheelchair after the fight,” said the Los Angeles based cruiserweight.

It is obvious that there is a lot of tension in the air, also partially due to the duel between the two most popular and respected coaches of German boxing. Once again Ulli Wegner (Huck´s coach) and Fritz Sdunek (works with Afolabi) will stand in opposite corners.

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Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin Germany on June 8 are available at www.eventim.de.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-huck-afolabi-face-face-heated-presser–65243

WBO Interim cruiserweight world champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) held a media training today in Hamburg, Germany. With his trainer Fritz Sdunek he showed his perfect shape and talked about his preparation and his opponent, WBO Cruiserweight champion Marco Huck. Afolabi will face off with Huck on May 5 in a rematch at the Messehalle Erfurt, Germany. Afolabi lost a close points decision in the first fight with Huck in December 5, 2009.

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Ola Afolabi: “I am not thinking of losing at all. Marco Huck is a tough fighter but tacticwise he is not very smart. With K2 and the Klitschkos as well as trainer Fritz Sdunek I have a great team and I am much more professional than in 2009. I am the youngest of 8 brothers and thus I always had to fight, it is in my genes. I am mentally and physically ready for Huck. He needs a gun to beat me.”

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Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions: “We are very excited about the fight. When Ola signed with K2 this was the goal that we had planned and now he has got the chance to become world champion.”

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32-year-old Afolabi was born in London (UK) lives in Hollywood, CA, is unbeaten and is promoted by K2 Promotions, the promotion company owned by World Heavyweight Champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. The fight will be promoted by Sauerland Event in association with K2 Promotions and will be broadcast live in Germany on ARD television network.

 

 

Photos: Public Address

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/afolabi-huck-needs-a-gun-to-beat-me-113665

The “Captain” returns to the cruiserweight division. It will be the ninth time that Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will put his WBO title on the line when he steps into the ring on May 5. Huck still has fond memories of the Messe Erfurt, having won his previous fight at the same venue against the American Matt Godfrey back in August 2010 by KO in the fifth round.

His opponent in the capital of Thuringia is an old acquaintance – current interim world champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) lost on points against Huck back in December 2009. He is desperate to take revenge. “Marco did not win the first fight, I lost it,” according to the Brit. “Back then the environment I surrounded myself with was not as professional but now I am with K2 and the Klitschkos. Fritz Sdunek is my coach. All this provides me with the mentality of a champion and I am ready to take out Huck.”

Of course Huck had something to say to this statement: “The Klitschkos should refrain from sending over their employees, and take me on themselves. The spectators will be right behind me and will carry me to victory.” The world champion did not stop there. “It is all or nothing for Afolabi. I am here to win. It is fine to take risks but all I want is to defend my title.”

Promoter Kalle Sauerland firmly agreed with the boxer´s evaluation of the fight. “After the narrow victory of the last bout it is guaranteed that this will be an exciting fight,” he stated. “The cruiserweight division is full of great fighters who are all more or less on the same level. This is the biggest difference in comparison to the heavyweights. Therefore, looking at it from a sporting point of view, the cruiserweight division is much more interesting.”

Huck´s coach Ulli Wegner gave away that they are planning on spending some time of their training camp in Zinnowitz at the Baltic Sea. After hearing that, Afolabi could not constrain himself and had a little dig at the coach. “I do not just prepare myself from Monday to Saturday, I even spar with the priest at church on a Sunday,” said the Londoner with a grin on his face.

If you take the word of the world champion as well as the interim-champ, May 5 is going to be one hell of a fight. Both coaches, Ulli Wegner and Fritz Sdunek will be preparing their fighters the best way possible and set their tactics straight, but as Afolabi mentioned later on: “Ulli, it is not you versus Fritz inside the ring, It is me versus Marco. Either I will end the fight inside the distance or he will knock me out.” The WBO Champ agreed with his opponent’s comment: “We will take the ring apart.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51371

WBO Interim cruiserweight world champion, Ola Afolabi just arrived in Germany today to start the final preparation for his May 5 rematch with WBO Cruiserweight champion Marco Huck. Both fighters will be present at the official press conference scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 3 in Erfurt, Germany.

Afolabi, 19-2-3 with 9 KOs, started his preparation two weeks ago for this much anticipated rematch. He has been training with fitness expert Harold Parker at the world famous Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. He will continue with the second phase of his training in Germany with world renowned boxing trainer, Fritz Sdunek. Afolabi lost a close points decision in the first fight with Huck in December 5, 2009.

Afolabi: “I have waited for this fight for the last 2.5 years. Huck has done everything possible to avoid fighting me again, he even moved to heavyweight to delay this fight.  This time, I will not leave any doubt and I will become WBO cruiserweight champion.”

Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions: “I promised Ola another world title shot when he signed with us. Now that he has been training with Vitali Klitschko’s trainer, Fritz Sdunek, Ola has become a completely different fighter. Even though Huck lost to Povetkin, he showed a lot of heart and proved why he is considered the top Cruiserweight in the world. This time, Ola will be much better prepared and I am convinced that he will be world champion on May 5.”

Fritz Sdunek: “I believe Ola will win if he keeps his focus. He has much more natural talent than Huck. Since I have been with him, we have worked to improve many things, including his punching power. He just needs to perform like he is capable and he will beat Huck.”

Afolabi is the only fighter from the UK with a claim to a world title, beside Nathan Cleverly. He is proud of his English heritage and hopes the fans will turn up to support him in his fight in Germany. His fights have been televised in the UK and worldwide as the co-feature of the huge Klitschko promotions in the last years. Ola also received “KO of the year honors” for his 1st round KO of UK champion Terry Dunstan on the Klitschko vs Haye fight last July.

The fight will be promoted by Sauerland Event in association with K2 Promotions and will be broadcast live in Germany on ARD television network.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51335

Date: May 5, 2012

WBO Jr. Heavyweight Championship Title Bout

Location: Erfurt, Thuringen, Germany

Result: The bout was a majority draw

Referee: Robert Byrd

Judges: Ingo Barrabas (114-114), Zoltan Enyedi (115-113), Paul Thomas (114-114)

Supervisor: Istvan Kovacs

 

Promoter: Sauerland Events

Interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight champ Ola Afolabi, 19-2-3(9) has a second chance to win the full title on May 5th, when he will face Marco Huck in a rematch. Back in December of 2009, “Kryptonite,” as the London-born Afolabi is known, lost a reasonably close 12-round decision to “Kapt’n” Huck and now he is getting ready for another chance in Germany.

Ola says he is a different, vastly improved fighter today, and the 32-year-old who has won five in a row since the loss to Huck says he will leave “no doubt” this time around. Afolabi, who has scored a couple of eye-catching KO’s in his time (think his taking out of Enzo Maccarinelli and his KO Of The Year candidate of a win over Terry Dunstan), feels Huck will be overpowered this time.

Already getting in shape for the fight that will go down in Erfurt, Ola had the following things to say about the “must-win” fight:

James Slater: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me, Ola. Have you started proper camp yet for the Marco Huck rematch on May 5th?

Ola Afolabi: No, I’ve not started full camp yet, that will be in Germany. But I’ve been training for the last two weeks: I’ve been running, hitting the bags and doing conditioning work. The last four weeks, I’ll pick it up in Germany.

J.S: Do you know who you’ll be sparring with?

O.A: Not yet. We’ve been calling around a few guys. But there aren’t too many guys with Huck’s style. We need fighters who can imitate the pressure Huck applies.

J.S: You know all about Huck from the first fight, of Dec. 2009 – you feel you are a better fighter now?

O.A: Yes, absolutely. Last time I didn’t train like I should have, and Huck is a guy who, if you don’t fight against, you lose. I’ve said that this time it will not go to the judges – either way. I’m 32 and I have no time to waste. I’m going to go for broke in this fight, but at the same time I won’t be stupid. I’m definitely a better fighter now. My whole training regimen has changed and improved. Now I believe fully in my strength and my power. Last time, I jumped in [to the Huck fight] after just one fight that year (the big win over Enzo Maccarinelli), but this time there will be no excuses. My style has definitely improved: I have got the rounds in now.

J.S: You hurt Huck in the first fight, in the 5th-round. Did he ever hurt you?

O.A: No, he never hurt me. They all say he has power, which I don’t doubt, but I was out of shape and I had no real trouble getting him hurt. But I never had the stamina and I couldn’t finish him. This time, if I hurt him I go for it! I’ll really be swinging for the fences.

J.S: Do you feel, aside from yourself of course, that Huck is the best cruiser in the world today?

O.A: Now that Steve Cunningham has been beaten twice by [Yoan Pablo] Hernandez, yes, I do. Denis Lebedev has been fighting old legends. I definitely feel Huck would beat Hernandez and Lebedev, in a rematch. I did think Lebedev beat Huck the last time, but it was very close (in Dec. 2010 – a 12-round SD for Huck) but I don’t think Lebedev has been the same since. Lebedev hasn’t been doing himself any favours by facing old men; he’s not upped his game. The only way you do that is by facing the best – Lebedev’s not done that. I think Huck would beat Hernandez with his pressure. Another guy that has to be given respect is the WBC champ [Krzystof Wlodarczyk], he’s underrated but he’s very solid.

J.S: Talking about Lebedev, I agree with you – James Toney, for example, is shot!

O.A: Oh, James Toney has been shot for years. But saying that, I still thought he’d pull it off [Vs. Lebedev last November], because he’s so slick; but he didn’t show up.

J.S: You say you want the KO win against Huck; that KO you scored over Terry Dunstan (last July) was awesome! That shot lands on Huck and he’s gone.

O.A: Listen, that kind of punch would take out a heavyweight. But anyone can land that type of shot. If I hit Huck with a homerun like that, he’s gone. But if he hits me like that, I’ll be gone. But I’ve shown the skill and talent to land a shot like that; Huck hasn’t. I’ve shown it before – against Enzo, Dunstan and the last guy I fought, Valery Brudov: I landed an overhand right to set up that (5th-round retirement) win. That’s my punch; Huck hasn’t got that. Huck is not a technically sound fighter, he fights crazy – off balance and he throws wild shots – but he makes it work for him. I have to find holes in his style and exploit them. Every fighter has holes in his style – but it’s okay finding the holes; you have to make the guy pay for them.

J.S: You feel you’ll be coming home from Germany with that WBO belt?

O.A: Right now there’s no doubt at all, I can picture myself with that title around my waist. I don’t think Huck will be able to go the distance with me. My self belief is huge right now!

 

By James Slater:

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=31349&more=1

El campeón mundial crucero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el serbio nacionalizado alemán Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs), se enfrentará al monarca interino crucero OMB, y actual retador mandatorio, el inglés Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs), en un combate revancha y unificatorio, que será el estelar de una velada que se desarrollará el próximo 5 de mayo en el Messehalle, en Erfurt, Alemania.

Luego de su incursión en los pesados, donde cayó por el título mundial pesado “regular” de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB), frente al ruso Alexander Povetkin, el pasado 25 de febrero en Stuttgart, el “Capitán” Huck decidió permanecer en la división de las 200 libras -90,800 kg.-, y de esta forma, conservar su cinturón mundial.

Pero ahora deberá unificar su corona ante Afolabi, quien el 3 de marzo último conquistó la porción de su faja al derrotar al ruso Valery Brudov, por nocaut técnico en el quinto asalto, en Düsseldorf, Alemania.

La OMB había comunicado que, de no producirse un acuerdo, los promotores de cada parte realizarían una subasta el miércoles 21 de marzo. Sin embargo, justo antes de que ello sucediera, se anunció que las negociaciones llegaron a buen término y se acordó el combate, que además tendrá la cuota adicional de ser duelo desquite.

Es que Huck y Afolabi ya se conocen. El 5 de diciembre de 2009, Huck lo venció en fallo unánime y retuvo su actual título por primera vez, en Ludwigsburg, Alemania.

“Aquella fue una dura pelea y gané por puntos. Afolabi ha salido victorioso en todos sus combates tras ello. Parece haberse puesto más fuerte. Estaré preparado para una una noche dura el 5 de mayo”, aseguró Huck.

El propio promotor de Huck, y manager general de Saurland Event, Chris Meyer, confirmó la realización del pleito: “Luego de largas negociaciones con Tom Loeffler, de K2, quien representa a Afolabi, todos los asuntos acordados han sido acordados. Ahora los contratos están listos para ser firmados”.

En la misma velada, se anuncia el combate entre el alemán Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) frente al invicto búlgaro Kubrat “La Cobra” Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs), quienes se disputarán el título europeo pesado EBU, que se encuentra vacante.

 

Por NotiFight.com

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Huck-Afolabi_II_ser_el_5_5_en_Alemania.php?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

WBO Jr. Heavyweight Champion Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will make his mandatory defence against interim champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) in Erfurt, Germany on May 5. It will be the second time the two fighters face each other in the ring, with Huck clinching a close points victory in their first meeting in December 2009. “I had just won the title against Victor Emilio Ramirez and then had to make my first defence against Afolabi,” Huck said. It was a tough fight and I won on points. Afolabi has been victorious in all of his fights ever since. He seems to have gotten stronger. I will be prepared for a hard night on May 5.”

After challenging WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin in February, Huck will have to lose weight again. “He weighed around 95 kilos prior to the Povetkin fight,” coach Ulli Wegner said. “Now he has to lose five kilos. That is something new for him. He has a lot of muscles, so it won´t be easy. But we will get it done during the hard preparation.”

Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer is happy to bring the fight to Germany. “We look forward to fighting in Erfurt again,” he said. “Huck has great memories of the city. In August 2010, he stopped Matt Godfrey at the Messehalle. After long negotiations with K2´s Tom Loeffler, who represents Afolabi, all important matters have been agreed on. Now the contracts are ready to be signed.”

 

Author: SAUERLAND EVENT

http://boxeomundial.net/boxeo.php?category=english&id=28124

WBO Jr. Heavyweight champion Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) believes that he is ready to challenge the kings of the heavyweight division, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. After nearly defeating WBA “regular” champion Alexander Povetkin last month in Germany, Huck made a decision to return to cruiserweight for a mandatory defense against Ola Afolabi.

“I am ready to fight the Klitschko brothers, but right now I’m the holder of the WBO cruiserweight title and I need to make a mandatory defense. Certainly in future I will return to the heavyweight division, and there I’ll capture a world title,” Huck said.

Huck’s trainer, Uli Wegner, feels a move a cruiserweight is the best move, at the moment, for his fighter.

“It seems to me that the fight with Ola Afolabi is the best direction for Marco at the moment,” Wegner said.

 

By Luke Furman

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50501