By James Slater: Can cruiserweight champ Marco Huck, all 6’1.5” of him, compete against the heavyweight elite? We will get out first chance to find out on Feb. 25th, when the long-reigning WBO 200-pound champ goes in with “regular” WBA heavyweight titlist Alexander Povetkin.
But Huck, 34-1(25) has told Fightnews.com that he will not be content with merely beating Povetkin. No, 27-year-old “Kap’n’” Huck wants to fight not one but both of the Klitschko brothers.
Huck told Fightnews that his getting the fight with Povetkin is akin to “winning the lottery.” Huck wants to become the first German heavyweight champion since the legendary Max Schmeling managed it back in the 1930s. And although Huck won’t really have fulfilled his dream if he takes Povetkin’s “0,” he will have picked up a notable victory.
For what it’s worth, I think Huck will pull out a close points win over the sometimes ordinary-looking Russian star; thus he will stand a chance of going in with one, or maybe even both of, “the brothers” – meaning of course, the all-conquering Klitschko brothers. And Huck sure sounds confident that he can beat Wladimir and Vitali.
“I see Povetkin only as a stopover on the way to the Klitschkos,” Huck said. “I want to beat Povetkin, then compete against the two brothers. I know that Vitali and Wladimir are strong, and I respect their achievements. But I’m sure I can beat both of them.
“I’ve already gained the necessary pounds. I feel very comfortable with the higher weight. My energy levels have improved. I have more power than most heavyweights. This is my big chance and I’m going to use it!”
It really would be a big statement by Huck if he were to stop or KO Povetkin. If this happened, fans everywhere would all but clamour for a Huck challenge of one of the Klitschkos. Huck is fast and in possession of a good work-rate (or at least he was, down at 200 – we must see how the added weight affects his performances), and as a cruiser he showed a good chin; especially recently, after he learnt from the 12th-round stoppage loss at the hands of Steve Cunningham. Against Povetkin, also a “small” heavyweight, Huck’s strength, desire and youth should, in my opinion, be enough for a win.
The Klitschko brothers are something else entire, however, as we all know. But Huck has the guts to want to fight them, he has a crowd-pleasing style and, in the eyes of many, he will emerge as perhaps THE best challenger out there should he see off Povetkin.
At the very least, I think Huck can add some excitement to the heavyweight division. He will likely go down against either Klitschko, but something tells me Huck will go down fighting hard.