WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (31-1, 23 KOs) just wrapped up the sparring ahead of his sixth title defense on April 2. Next Saturday, the 26-year-old will take on Ran Nakash (25-0, 18 KOs) at the Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle, Germany. Boxing-online.com caught up with him before fight week.
Q: Marco, you will already be making your sixth title defense. You are a rather experienced champion given your young age of just 26 years…
MH: “That´s true. And I like it. I became world champion in August 2009. And now I will put the WBO belt on the line for the sixth time. That´s a nice development which makes me proud.”
Q: You are taking on unbeaten Ran Nakash. If you had had the choice, would you have picked him or somebody else?
MH: “I was due to take on Giacobbe Fragomeni, but he pulled out. That was an awkward situation, but as a professional, you have to be able to deal with it. It´s nothing new for me. It happened before my fight against Frantisek Kasanic, who got called up on very short notice. That does not mean that this is going to be a walk in the park – much on the contrary! Against Kasanic, I broke my jaw but still defeated him. I must not underestimate Nakash. He has been in full training and he is undefeated. These kind of boxers are highly motivated and just waiting for their chance. To leave the ring victorious, I need to break his will.”
Q: This will be your 32nd fight. Do you sometimes find it hard to motivate yourself?
MH: “I am always highly motivated to prove myself as world champion. I always enter the ring with a lot of self-confidence. But I remember the times when I was the challenger. I gave everything to make the most of my chance. And I am sure this will be true for Nakash, too. That is why I must not take anything for granted against him.”
Q: What makes boxing attractive for you. Is it the money?
MH: “Money is important. And every victory increases my worth. But what matters more to me is my belt. Money cannot buy you the feeling of holding a world title in your hands and calling it your own. The world title has made me famous all over the world. That´s fantastic. But I am still ambitious and have other goals to accomplish. That´s what motivates me – I still have a lot to accomplish in boxing.”
Q: Back in 2009, you became world champion in Halle. Are you looking forward to returning there?
MH: “Definitely. I only have the best memories of the Gerry Weber Stadium. It was the biggest moment of my life when I defeated Ramirez and the referee raised my hand. The atmosphere in the stadium is fantastic and it will be a great night of boxing on April 2.”
