By James Slater – Former WBO cruiserweight ruler Marco Huck still strongly believes he beat Alexander Povetkin this past Saturday night in Germany. Huck not only feels he beat the defending “regular” WBA heavyweight titlist, he claims he beat him up! Wanting an instant return fight, “Kap’n’ Huck” will unfortunately get no such thing.
I say he will “unfortunately” get no immediate rematch, because the fight on Saturday was so good to watch, so much fun, that most fans would love a chance to see a part-two. But, as per the WBA’s orders, 32-year old Povetkin must next defend against 39-year-old Hasim Rahman. “The Rock,” a former two-time heavyweight ruler, has been waiting for his mandatory shot at Povetkin for quite some time (Rahman took step aside money to allow the Huck fight to take place) and he will get his shot at the unbeaten Russian star in no more than 120 days.
This has been confirmed on Fightnews.com – who reported that The Rahman camp agreed to step aside provided that the Povetkin-Huck winner face Rahman within a period not to exceed 120 days. So, unless he wants to lose his belt, Povetkin WILL next get it on with the man who KO’d Lennox Lewis all those years ago.
What kind of a chance does Rahman have of becoming champ all over again?
In light of the number of heavy right hand shots he had to eat from Huck, Povetkin, 24-0(16) could have his hands full against the heavy-handed veteran. Unless he changes his style and is less open to right hands (Huck was able to tag Povetkin practically at will with the right hand), Povetkin could be in trouble. Had Huck been a natural heavyweight or a bigger puncher, Povetkin would have been in far more trouble than he was during Saturday’s entertaining slugfest.
Povetkin later admitted to not training as he should have for the Huck fight. Claiming he didn’t take the fight as seriously as he should have (and coming in at a near career-heavy 229-pounds), Povetkin cannot afford to make that mistake again; especially not against as hard a hitter as the experienced Rahman, 50-7-2(41). But will the former amateur star push himself as hard as he can in the gym as he gets ready to face a man many people feel is way past his best?
Rahman may not have won a meaningful fight in years (his last significant win was probably his 2005 win over buddy Monte Barrett), but he will always have a puncher’s chance. And “Rock’s” right hand will be the punch he has a chance with!