By James Slater – Although he came up short on the scorecards after going 12 thrilling, rough and tough rounds with “regular” WBA heavyweight titlist Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night, 27-year-old Marco Huck sure did a lot better than most people thought he would in his heavyweight debut. “Kap’n’” Huck also proved he can hang with a top-rated, talented and unbeaten big man.
Huck, now 34-2(25) has a choice to make right now: should he stay at heavyweight and seek out further big fights, or should he shed the 9-pounds or so he gained and go back to defending his WBO cruiserweight title?
A tough decision for the exciting, tough as nails Huck to make, it’s actually quite easy to make an argument for either choice. If he stays at heavyweight the money will obviously be better, and there would be no shortage of big fights out there for the Serbian-born German-based warrior; even if it could be some time before a second “world” title shot materialised for him. On the other hand, if he dropped back down to 200-pounds, Huck would get back in the mix with the Ola Afolabi’s (who he has already beaten but would have to face again should “Kryptonite” do as most think he will and beat Valery Brudov on March 3rd, in a clash for the interim WBO cruiser belt) – the Denis Lebedevs (another rematch that would be great to see), and maybe the other reigning champions.
However, the glamour division has been and always will be the heavyweight division, and it’s probable a number of fans would like to see the entertaining sometimes brawler stay where he is and try to get it on with further big names. Again, it’s hard to see Huck getting a second title shot any time soon (both Klitschkos are way too big for him and Povetkin must face Hasim Rahman next) – but there are a load of potentially great heavyweight match-ups that could involve Huck.
Here’s four I’d love to see:
Huck Vs. Tomasz Adamek. Now we’re talking! Two “small” heavyweights, each with an exciting style. Both men also fight with real passion. If we thought Povetkin-Huck was exciting (and it sure was), this one could be even better.
Huck Vs. Chris Arreola. Arreola would have a big weight advantage, but Huck’s advantage is speed would maybe counter that. It sure would be fun to find out anyway. Huck’s chin held up to Povetkin’s best shots – would it hold up to those of “The Nightmare?” The Mexican/American has been beaten by a naturally smaller man before, though (see Adamek fight); maybe it would happen again?
Huck Vs. Dereck Chisora. If (and it could be a pretty big if), “Del Boy” is not banned for a long time or maybe even for life, a fight between he and Huck would be a great event. Chisora is now well known in Germany; the problem is the German authorities do not want the post-fight press conference-brawling heavyweight back. The venue would have to be worked out for this one, but if it could be, the resulting fight would make the effort worthwhile.
Huck Vs. Denis Boystov. How good is Russia’s Boytsov? A fight with Huck, who stands the same height as the unbeaten prospect/contender at just over 6’1,” would tell us. Both men seem to enjoy a good rumble – the fans would surely enjoy this one. A risky fight for both men to be sure.