World Boxing Organization (WBO) Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck (32-1, 23 KOs) has promised his fans another exciting victory on July 16 when he faces Argentinian ex-champion Hugo Hernan Garay (34-5, 18 KOs) at Munich´s Olympic Park. Boxing-online.com has caught up with the 26-year-old German ahead of what will already be his seventh title defence.
Q: Marco, how has the preparation been going?
MH: “Things have been going very well. After my victory over Ran Nakash in April, I took a brief vacation and then went straight back to the gym. I have been working out in Berlin with my coach Ulli Wegner. I´m in perfect shape.”
Q: What do you think of Garay?
MH: “He is a former world champion, so that tells you all about his class. He is strong and very aggressive and I expect him to come forward a lot. However, he has never been inside the ring with someone like me. I will give him a proper beating.”
Q: What makes you so confident?
MH: “I just have a lot of faith in my abilities. I know how strong I am. My fans love my explosive style and my punching power. Garay most certainly cannot keep up with me. I will wear him down.”
Q: It will be a special weekend in Munich, with the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) racing in the Olympic Park. Is that something you are looking forward to?
MH: “Absolutely. I love cars and I am a huge DTM fan. We will be doing a lot of cross-PR and I can´t wait to get into a car with one of their famous racers and drive a few laps. It will indeed be a great, great weekend for sports fans in Munich. Boxing and car racing, what more can you ask for on one weekend!”
Q: The fight against Garay will already be your seventh title defence in less than two years. Do you like staying busy?
MH: “I just love to be in the ring. There are a lot of talented contenders out there but as the world champion I have to constantly prove myself against top opposition. That´s what I have done ever since winning the title from Ramirez in August 2009. On July 16, it´s Garay´s turn to take a beating and then we will see what the future holds. Of course it is my aim to unify the division but I take one step at a time and right now I only have Garay on my mind.”
Q: In the co-featured main event, Eduard Gutknecht will make a first defence of his European Light Heavyweight Title. What do you think of him?
MH: “Eddy is a great guy. He has only been with us since the beginning of the year but he has already proven his class. He works hard in training and I´m sure he will get our coach Ulli Wegner another big win on July 16, just like me.”
Katsidis picks Murray to defeat Mitchell
Brit basher Michael Katsidis could return to Britain and take on the winner of John Murray and Kevin Mitchell.
The Aussie powerhouse inflicted the first defeat to Mitchelll’s unbeaten record last year at West Ham’s Upton Park ground, and in 2007 he beat Graham Earl in an up-and-down thriller at Wembley Arena.
Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Interim World Lightweight Champion Katsidis reckons Murray will have have too much for his Dagenham rival who collide in a huge Battle of Britain on July 9th at the Excel London, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
“I personally haven’t seen John Murray fight as realistically I never believed he was serious about facing me. I do know that he fights hard and comes forward.” Said Katsidis.
“I don’t think Mitchell will be up to Murray’s pressure, but this is all pending how Mitchell has held his approach to the fight,”
“I’ve already beaten Mitchell so a rematch wouldn’t take me any further, but now Murray is with Frank Warren now, he is well known for making the big fights happen,”
“I’m sure Frank would like bit of good old revenge. Instead of the Ashes we could call it the Bashes!”
“I like a fight. I believe my fights say it all. Me fighting against any Brit would be enough to draw a crowd,”
“If it’s one thing I love about England, it’s they’re passion for sport,”
“Furthermore I would like to wish Kevin and John good luck and a safe journey.”
Tickets for North ‘n South are available now, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, from 0844 844 0444 or ticketmaster.co.uk
MURRAY: BLACKWELL JIBES FIRE ME UP
MARTIN MURRAY says friends telling him he’s in a no-win situation when he boxes Nick Blackwell is all the motivation needed. The big St Helens ticket seller challenges Blackwell for the vacant British middleweight title at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena on Saturday night (18th June).
Murray, 28, will also be risking his Commonwealth and World Boxing Association (WBA) inter-continental title against Trowbridge’s former unlicensed battler who has won all eight professional contests.
Murray is a big favourite to win the triple title tussle, but says: “I know people are saying if win on points I will have struggled and if I knockout Nick, I beat a young kid.
“That sort of stuff is making me more determined to impress so people say have to say I look good however long the job takes.
“Myself and trainer, Oliver Harrison are going all the way together and Nick is a serious obstacle in my way.”
Once Murray passes the Blackwell test he hopes to join fellow Britons Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker on the world stage.
Murray ranked number 4 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) rankings added: “Macklin deserves his chance against WBA champion Felix Sturm and I really hope he wins, but how did Barker earn his challenge against WBC title holder Darren Barker?
“He must be the greatest blagger in the world to get that chance when he has hardly boxed in 18 months.”
Also on the Sky televised Wigan bill British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla challenges Belgian Herve De Luca for the vacant WBA inter-continental title.
British Olympian Joe Murray boxes for his first professional title in his 11th fight meeting Scot James Ancliff for the IBF international featherweight title.
Tickets for this big night of title action are available £35, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/ 01925 755222