13.12.06 – Tempers were flying high at today´s press conference in Kempten, Germany where Marco Huck and Pietro Aurino almost exchanged more than just verbal jabs. “It is very nice of Sauerland to give me the opportunity to make so much money and win the title before Christmas,” Aurino (37-2, 16 KOs) said ahead of Saturday´s EU-Championship. “Huck is a kid. He has no chance. It will be a very easy fight.” ..
Huck was quick to return the favour: “Dream on. I´ll beat you up,” he vowed – only for Aurino to reply: “No problem, we can get it done right here.” Coach Ulli Wegner then helped to calm both fighters down.
Unbeaten Huck (16-0, 13 KOs) said he will be out to restore the German pride. “I will make amends for Germany´s semi-final loss against Italy at the World Cup,” he vowed. “That´s why I will spank the Italian.”
Meanwhile, coach Wegner was full of respect for Huck´s experienced opponent. “He is very strong technically and tactically,” said the coach. “He is one of the world´s best cruiserweights, if not the best. He´s got so much experience. This will be a tough test for Marco. As long as he sticks to our game plan, he´ll be fine. But he must not rush things.”
Manager Wilfried Sauerland believes the winner of Saturday´s bout will have a golden future ahead: “It´s not just the EU-belt that is at stake – whoever wins will be very close to a world title fight. We´re very optimistic that Marco will get it done. We are very pleased with his development,” said the manager.
On the undercard, former European champion Sebastian Sylvester (23-2, 10 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental Title against Australia´s Peter Mitrevski Junior (16-3, 6 KOs). The “Hurricane” had surprisingly lost his European crown to Finland´s Amin Asikainen last June. “I´m over it,” promised the 26-year-old. “It is history. I have learned from that defeat. Right now I am solely focussing on Mitrevski.”
A rematch against the Scandinavian is due to happen in January. “We want the European title and then a world title fight,” coach Hartmut Schroeder revealed. He believes Sylvester is back in top form. “There have been times when I wasn´t too pleased with him but in the past two weeks he has really picked it up. He is in the same shape as he was before his first European title fight against Morrade Hakkar.”
Sylvester said he will try to knock Mitrevski out. “I will be patient and try to wait for the kill. If it doesn´t happen, I´ll just take a points decision.”