-Huck to defend WBO Cruiserweight Title against Lebedev on December 18-
Marco Huck (30-1, 23 KOs) will make a fifth defense of his WBO Cruiserweight Title on December 18 when he faces mandatory challenger Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KOs) in Berlin. The fight will take place at the Max-Schmeling-Halle. “I look forward to fighting in Berlin again,” Huck said. “Lebedev is a tough challenger with a great record. We are both very powerful and have tremendous KO power so the fans can expect a big battle. I will of course defend my title and leave the ring as the winner.”
Huck defeated Victor Emilio Ramirez in August 2009 before edging Ola Afolabi in his first mandatory defence four months later. He has stopped Adam Richards, Brian Mino and Matt Godfrey since. “Lebedev is a very strong challenger,” Huck´s coach Ulli Wegner said. “After Ramirez and Afolabi, this is once again a huge test for Marco. But I am sure he will take care of business.”
Lebedev, who has never tasted defeat, enters the fight with an intimidating record of 21 victories along with 16 KOs. His last eight fights all ended early, including his second-round KO win over Alexander Alekseev in July. “I am sure that Marco Huck has never been so nervous ahead of a fight,” said Vlad Hrunov, Lebedev´s manager.
According to the cruiserweight division rankings on ProBoxing-Fans.com, this represents a battle between the number 2 and 3 cruiserweights in the world, with Huck at #2, and Lebedev at #3. Sitting perched ahead of them at number 1 is Steve Cunningham, who holds a previous win over Huck. Between Cunningham and Huck, who are both promoted by Sauerland Events and could be moving towards a rematch should Huck defeat Lebedev, the cruiserweight division has been largely cleared out, except for the undefeated and quick rising Lebedev. It’s an intriguing contest that offers big things for a somewhat stagnant cruiserweight rank.
