WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck (30-1, 23 KOs) and undefeated mandatory challenger Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KOs) today participated in a media work-out in Berlin. On Saturday night, the two hard-hitting warriors will collide at the Max-Schmeling-Halle. While Huck worked the pads with coach Ulli Wegner, Lebedev refused to give the fans an in-depth look into his training. “I have prepared as always,” he said. “We had sparring partners who were very similar to Huck. That will be the key to victory. Tactic and strategy will determine the winner. I am at least as strong as Huck and I will take home the title.”
Huck also voiced his confidence ahead of what will already be his fifth title defense. The champion, who displayed his punching power and explosiveness during the session, expects a tough fight. “I know that Lebedev is a strong challenger but I will defeat him,” Huck said. “I am prepared for a tough fight. I have worked very hard and I am 100 percent focused on Saturday night.”
Yoan Pablo Hernandez, who faces Ali Ismailov in a WBA Cruiserweight Eliminator, and Francesco Pianeta, who takes on Mike Middleton, also participated in today´s work-out. Team Sauerland´s big show at the Max-Schmeling-Halle will also feature Alexander Povetkin´s clash with Nicolai Firtha and Kubrat Pulev´s fight against Paolo Vidoz..
Sauerland, Huck make charity donation – “Marco has a big heart”
Marco Huck (30-1, 23 KOs) will not only be fighting for his WBO Cruiserweight Title on Saturday night when he steps into the ring against hard-hitting mandatory challenger Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KOs) in Berlin. A victory would also guarantee well-known German children charity organization “Ein Herz für Kinder” (“A heart for children”) a big financial boost. At yesterday´s press conference, Hall-of-Fame-Promoter Wilfried Sauerland spontaneously made a donation of 10.000 Euros. Huck immediately added another 10.000 Euros to double the amount. “I know how tough life can be,” Huck said. “Boxing presented me with a great chance to lead a fantastic life but you must never forget where you´re coming from. Charity projects like this are very important. The greatest thing in the world is to see kids smile and I hope our donation will help.”
Bild newspaper is the driving force behind “Ein Herz für Kinder”, which will get national attention on Saturday night when its annual fundraiser gala airs on terrestrial TV in Germany. Chris Meyer, Managing Director of Sauerland Event, made a special promise. “If Marco Huck defeats Lebedev on Saturday, we will add another 30.000 Euros to make it 50.000 Euros. So here´s another reason to hope for a victory against Lebedev.”
Said Huck: “This is additional motivation for me. I will win this fight for the kids, my coach Ulli Wegner, my team and also for myself, because I want to prove that I am the best cruiserweight out there.”
Wilfried Sauerland lauded Huck´s big heart. “Most people only know Marco for his explosiveness and punching power in the ring. But everybody at Team Sauerland knows how big his heart is. During the preparation for this fight, he paid a surprise hospital visit to the brother of Ulli Wegner, who is very sick. Marco just visited him to support him and give him hope and confidence. When Ulli Wegner found out, he had tears in his eyes.” Said Wegner: “Marco really has a big heart – inside and outside the ring.”