Hernandez to face Ismailov in WBA Eliminator on star-studded Huck-Lebedev undercard & Povetkin returns to action:
Up-and-coming cruiserweight hopeful Yoan Pablo Hernandez (22-1, 11 KOs) is ready for the most important fight of his career. The 26-year-old Cuban will take on experienced Ali Ismailov (18-3-1, 13 KOs) in a WBA Cruiserweight Title Eliminator in Berlin on December 18. In the main fight of the evening, WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck (30-1, 23 KOs) will put his title on the line against undefeated mandatory challenger Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KOs). Hernandez and Huck have been working hard in training camp in Kienbaum, 20 miles east of Berlin. “Things have been going very well,” Hernandez said. “This is the biggest fight of my life and I am ready. I know that this will not be a walk in the park. Ismailov is a very strong opponent. I am prepared for a real battle.”
On the rest of the undercard there are three exciting heavyweight contenders displaying their skills on the undercard. Most notably, 2004 Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin (20-0, 15 KOs) will take on Nicolai Firtha (19-7-1, 8 KOs), in a return bout while he has been biding his time as of late, and Kubrat Pulev (9-0, 5 KOs) will face former European Heavyweight Champion Paolo Vidoz (26-9, 15 KOs). Furthermore, Francesco Pianeta (20-0-1, 12 KOs) will come face-to-face with Mike Middleton (13-19-1, 5 KOs). “This is going to be another exciting night of boxing,” Kalle Sauerland said.
“The undercard is as good as it gets. Three powerful heavyweight contenders plus a cruiserweight title eliminator. And on top of that, Marco Huck´s clash with Lebedev, which will certainly be one to remember. December 18 will be an early Christmas present for fight fans.”
