Exciting cruiserweights Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi clash for a fourth time, exclusively live on BoxNation in the UK, on Saturday February 27th at the Gerry Weber Stadium, Halle, Germany. The addition of Huck v Afolabi will form a big doubleheader with Terrence Crawford defending his title against Hank Lundy later that night from New York.
Huck, a former two-time WBO World Cruiserweight Champion, and Afolabi, a two-time Interim WBO World Champion, meet in a crucial crossroads fight for both men and a victory will mean another world title shot for the winner.
The veterans re-ignite there fiery six-year rivalry with Huck currently ahead in the series 2-0-1 after close decisions in 2009, 2012 and 2013 and both will be looking for a knockout to end the quadrilogy conclusively.
German hero Huck, originally from Serbia, lost his WBO crown last time out when he was halted in eleven rounds by undefeated Krzysztof Glowacki in a thriller.
Huck dropped the Pole in an exhilarating sixth round and was ahead on the scorecards before Glowacki found a big punch to floor Huck, it could have been stopped by the referee, but he was given a chance to continue and Glowacki steamed in to get the stoppage.
“Captain” Huck, 31, has been a big favourite with UK fight fans’ on BoxNation with a number of his memorable battles televised on the Channel of Champions. With 26 knockouts in 38 wins, 3 losses – two by stoppage – and one draw, you know that Huck will bring excitement.
London born Afolabi pulled off a huge upset in his last fight to dethrone favourite Rakhim Chakhkiev in his hometown of Kazan, Russia, in November to win the IBO version of the world title.
Afolabi, 35, had to weather the storm from Chakhkiev in the early rounds until the Russian started to fade in the fourth and the experienced Afolabi stepped it by landing with solid jabs. He dropped Chakhkiev in the fifth, but it wasn’t ruled a knockdown by the referee. Afolabi sensed it was over and went in to finish Chakhkiev with a big right hand and left hook to leave him face down on the canvas.
Known as “Kryptonite”, Afolabi is a familiar face to British fans’ from his victory over Enzo Maccarinelli in 2009 to stop the Welshman and claim the Interim WBO World title.
Both fighters aim to end the final chapter by knockout, telling Badlefthook.com: “In my last fight, I didn’t show what I [am] able to do. I beat myself against Glowacki. It won’t happen again. I’m getting ready with my new coach for the fight on Feb. 27. I will be in top condition this time. Ola and I fought three very hard and close fights in the past, which were all decided in the last rounds. But now I want to end this chapter with an early KO victory and end it once and for all.” Said Huck
Afolabi replied, ”I am very pleased to fight against Huck again. Our previous battles were all very exciting and close. This time though there is a big difference: I am the reigning world champion and he is the challenger. I will defend my title because I am at the peak of my career. Huck will get what Rakhim Chakhkiev got.”
