by Johnny Walker
Pity WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, and his opponent in this Saturday’s title clash, WBO cruiserweight champion Marco “Captain” Huck (pronounced “Hook”) who square off in Stuggart, Germany. After the shenanigans that occurred at last week’s heavyweight title clash between Dereck Chisora and WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko–with David Haye also getting in on the action—two guys merely interested in boxing might come off as a little boring.
Picture: Andreas Sauer
Nevertheless, there is intrigue in this bout as well. Depending on who you believe, Povetkin (23-0-0, 16 KOs) has dumped, or been dumped by, his emotional American trainer, ESPN television personality Teddy Atlas, when the two couldn’t agree on which country to train in. This turn of events will no doubt delight Povetkin’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland, who has wanted Atlas gone for some time, especially after the American called him a “punk” in a video interview last year. Russian trainer Alexander Zimin has now taken over in the Povetkin camp, and so far, all seems to be going well. Povetkin looked strong last time out in a methodical KO win over American Cedric Boswell.
Another point of interest here is the fact that Huck (34-1-0, 25 KOs), born in Serbia but fighting out of Germany, is moving up for the first time to fight as a heavyweight. “The Captain” is a sturdy boxer who fights in flurries, utilizing an upright style with a peek-a-boo defense made famous by Arthur Abraham: tellingly, both men are students of German trainer Ulli Wegner. The key for Huck will be how much power he carries with him in the move up to heavyweight. He claims to have bested Povetkin in a sparring session years ago, and if he can make an impression on the Russian with his power shots, this fight could be very close and very interesting.
Never mind that the “WBA regular heavyweight title” these two are fighting for is a sham: Wladimir Klitschko is the rightful WBA heavyweight champion, but he was elevated to “Super Champion” status so that the organization could manufacture some more title fights. More importantly, the winner of this bout will be in line for a shot at Wladimir, should he prevail next week against the Frenchman Jean Marc Mormeck, in what looks to be a one-sided affair. So that gives both Povetkin and Huck plenty of incentive to give their all in this match.
Povetkin versus Huck can be seen on the EPIX network in the United States, and will be streamed for free on EPIXHD.com.
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Updated:
Alexander Povetkin 229; Marco “Captain” Huck, 209
Alexander Povetkin weighed in for his WBA “regular” title defense in Stuttgart, Germany, today at 229 pounds, while his opponent, WBO cruiserweight king Marco “Captain” Huck, tipped the scales at 209.
Surprisingly, the challenger Huck looked slightly taller and stronger than a somewhat soft and flabby Povetkin as the two stood side by side.
