Ovill Mckenzie has been forced to withdraw from his challenge for the IBO World Cruiserweight Championship against Marco Huck on medical grounds. Mckenzie, 36, was due to face Germany’s Huck this Saturday 24th September at the Festhalle Arena in Frankfurt.
Derby-based McKenzie, 25-12-1 13 KO’s, narrowly missed out on claiming a World Title when he pushed former IBF ruler Emilio Ramirez to a controversial draw in Argentina last October and is devastated at missing out on another opportunity to win world honours.
“Naturally I am absolutely gutted that I have been forced to pull out of my challenge for the IBO World Title,” said McKenzie. “I had been training harder than ever and was in the shape of my life but unfortunately these things happen in boxing.”
“I was ready to give the performance of my career and cause a real upset against a great champion. I strongly believe that I would have beaten Huck brought the IBO belt back to England with me but it wasn’t to be.
“I am sorry to all of my fans who booked tickets, flights and hotels to watch me fight. Medical advice from health professionals cannot be ignored and I believe that we have made the correct decision to withdraw. I hope the fight can be rescheduled.”
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Ovill McKenzie will challenge Germany’s Marco Huck for the IBO Cuiserweight World Title in Frankfurt exclusively live on BoxNation on Saturday 24th September.
31 year-old Huck, who holds the record for the most WBO World Title defences alongside Johnny Nelson, came face-to-face with ‘The Upsetter’ at a press conference in Frankfurt yesterday.
“Obviously, I was really excited once I was able to get back to the top of the division, which is where I belong,” Huck told World Boxing News.
“My fans kept asking me when the next fight was, so I actually feel like it’s a great honor that they want to see me back in the ring. I will thank them by putting on a great performance. It gives me an extra rush of adrenaline when I hear the crowd shouting “Huck, Huck, Huck! – You cannot put a price tag on that feeling. I am 31-years-old now, the prime age for a boxer and I will leave the ring just the way I entered it, as the champion.
“McKenzie did really well during his last fights and should have won the IBF-Title against Ramirez, so I have to be careful and wont underestimate him. But I just pay attention to whether he is a orthodox or southpaw and the rest will present itself on the night.”
It is a big return for hard-hitting Derby based Jamaican McKenzie, who was forced to withdraw from his challenge for the vacant European Cruiserweight Championship against Ukraine’s Dymtro Kucher last month through injury.
McKenzie, 25-12-1 13 KO’s, narrowly missed out on claiming a world title when he pushed former IBF ruler Emilio Ramirez to a controversial draw in Argentina last October. Now the former British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight title holder is looking to propel himself back on to the world stage with a career best performance.
“I am travelling to Frankfurt to give a great performance. I don’t want the people to look at my record and write me off immediately or that it will be a walk in the park for Huck. I am in great shape. I will take Marco’s belt off him and bring it back to England.
“I will give the performance of my life. I am a real fighter, a warrior. I am 36 now, but I honestly feel like I’m 20. I am in amazing shape.”
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this fight live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415, Freeview 255 and also on smart connected devices via multiple platforms. Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!
