Though certainly a throwback fighter, Marco Huck takes advantage of modern science and amenities to make him the best athlete possible. As a part of his preparations, Huck uses an extreme cold cryochamber to recuperate from tough workouts and help cell regeneration. The champ described the sensations. “It feels like an ice cube you suck with your tongue. Only both you and your tongue feel like ice cubes at the same time. The icy cold hurts a little at first. But after you’ve left the cryochamber, you feel good." Another form of medicine he has taken advantage of is his jaw, though that was born of necessity instead of calculated preparation. Huck literally has a titanium jaw, the result of a plate and six screws that were inserted after it was broken against Frenchman Frantisek Kasanic. Only four months later, Huck returned to ring and won the European cruiserweight title. It is this mix of toughness, intelligence, and work ethic that has endeared him to the German public.
Huck wants to strengthen his hold on the German public’s psyche, grabbing their attention before soccer season (the national sport) diverts eyes. “My fans love my aggressiveness and explosiveness and I will make sure Matt Godfrey will get a good taste of it. I am just too explosive for him. The belt stays in Germany." Unlike other fighters, let’s say Chad Dawson, Huck has more than victory on his mind entering the ring. "I want to put on a spectacular performance and defeat Godfrey in style.” Nor is Huck’s trainer, esteemed Ulli Wegner, too worried about Godfrey’s ability to switch stances. “I have prepared Marco for both a southpaw as well as an orthodox stance. Even if Godfrey intends to switch, it will not be a problem. Marco has worked hard in training. If he listens to his corner, he will defend his title with another great victory." A sign of Huck’s popularity is that this title defense was chosen to mark the 100th boxing broadcast by German TV giant ARD, akin to ABC, CBS, or NBC in America, whose viewing figures show marked spikes for Huck bouts (4.7 million against unknown Brian Minto) vice other boxers.
ARD network executives will be keen observers with a rooting interest since a Huck victory will strengthen the possibility of a cruiserweight "Super Six" tourney. A workable format given the six best cruiserweights all fight in Europe (even American Steve Cunningham, who signed with Sauerland Events) and Huck’s promoter Wilfried Sauerland stated he is in the planning stages of such a competition. Sauerland is keen to get on with the logistics and negotiations. "He [Huck] needs a victory so that we can finalize the ‘Super Six’ tournament in the cruiserweight division, which hopefully will begin at the end of this year." While looking forward, Sauerland does not discount Godfrey. "First things first. Marco should not look past Godfrey, who is a strong opponent. Godfrey is a tough guy and he moves very well but Marco will eventually track him down.” What of Huck; could he be distracted by talk of a tourney? "It has crossed my mind. Such an idea would be a great thing for the exciting cruiserweight division but right now all my focus is on Matt Godfrey.” Just as in the ring, Huck is honest to a fault replying to tourney talks. No boxer could ignore the opportunity to push his star to greater heights.
There is an understated charm about the convivial champion outside the ring that is at odds with what is seen in the ring. Huck describes his purpose in the ring simply. "I am a fighter. Only the victory counts for me; that is why I always put everything on the line and bring my best athletic performance to win fights." That was also the case in Huck’s lone loss- to American Steve Cunningham- to which Huck admits forgoing strategy in an attempt to walk through a smaller opponent. Huck had his moments but a career-best performance by Cunningham negated much of his effort. He withstood a lot of punishment losing rounds closely and Huck was not out of the fight on the scorecards entering the championship rounds. The German launched a desperate scramble in the tenth and 11th rounds, winning both but burnt up reserves of energy. In the 12th round, Huck mustered his strength and went all out but after Cunningham absorbed Huck’s final assault, he launched a counterattack that left the exhausted challenger nearly lifeless on the ropes. Trainer Ulli Wegner threw in the towel, understanding Huck had given everything in defeat.
After such a loss, boxers either become stronger psychologically or begin to fall apart. Given what Huck endured before he came to boxing, the latter was not going to happen. Huck (birth name Muamer Huki) came to Germany as a refugee at age eight, a Bosnian-born in Serbian territory in what was then a disintegrating and war-torn Yugoslavia. In interviews with German publications, Huck talks of extended family members and other men from his village who left at gunpoint, never to return. It was the combat sport of taekwondo and kickboxing in which Huck first excelled. At 18, he traveled to France for a title opportunity, becoming the first German kickboxing world champion in a decade. Huck made the transition to boxing before his 20th birthday, winning all 15 of his amateur bouts. Huck traveled to Köln for a "tryout" with Ulli Wegner (who guided Arthur Abraham, Sven Ottke, and Markus Beyer to world titles) who works in conjunction with Sauerland Events. After a sparring session with seasoned Cengiz Koc (a former European heavyweight title challenger), Huck prepared to leave and go home; Wegner told him "No, no. You’re staying here."
Despite a reputation as pure banger, Huck is deceptively adroit in the ring, using small movements and specific tactics designed by Ulli Wegner (whom he parted ways with for a short stint to train under Manfred Wolke) to generate positive results. He has done well implementing divergent game plans for a given opponent, showing unexpected versatility and the mental fortitude to abandon the tried-and-true if other options make a fight easier. At 6’1½”, with a considerable reach, Huck has the right size and physicality to employ multiple styles but, like many fighters, reverts to brawling and has to be talked back to his objective between rounds. Early on, a volatile temper had to be curbed as well, which gave Huck the reputation of a dirty fighter. There was also Huck’s need to retaliate instantly when stung with an unexpected punch. All this added up, making Huck a controversial character before achieving mainstream success. It also made Huck a foil in one of the strangest fights in European title history.
Call the Marco Huck - Pietro Aurino bout what you will, strange, weird, embarrassing, or give it the simple tagline of “only in boxing.” In 2006 Huck challenged the Italian Aurino for the vacant European Union cruiserweight title; Aurino was favored in most circles, given an amateur pedigree that included the Olympics and a 37-2 professional record. It began with Aurino complaining of rabbit punches to the back of the head, which lead to each man testing the referee patience with various fouls. In the second round, the fighters wrestled in a clinch and neither broke when ordered by the French referee, Jean-Louis Legland. At that point, Aurino twice rammed his head into Huck’s nose. A visibly upset Huck retaliated by attempting to knee Aurino in the groin but because Aurino connected, he was deducted two points. The insulted Aurino stomped off and left the ring. His corner chased Aurino down and got him back in the ring but not before a ten-count had relieved the Italian of the title for abandonment of the fight. Yes, only in boxing.
Huck is now a six-year pro with a wealth of experience but still far from a finished product. On defense, he lacks upper body movement, walking in with hands raised to form a shield with his forearms and gloves. The transition game is still evolving; Huck is either in full offensive or defensive mode, not able to block and simultaneously position himself for a counter as he deflects a punch. Perhaps, Huck is too accepting of punishment; he has a great jaw and is willing to take a punch to land one. When in rhythm, has a great jab that sets up bursts of intense combinations but he does not use the jab as a defensive weapon. There is no doubting Huck’s power, 22 stoppages in 29 wins and his clubbing punches even take effect when landing on the arms or shoulders. I hesitate to bring up the name Marciano because Huck has nowhere near the one-punch power of Rocky but Huck has that style predicated on unrelenting aggression with no hint of flash.
With all that said, Huck was not ready on a technical level for Steve Cunningham three years ago. He has not backed away from that future challenge, consistently asking for a rematch. After the fight, Huck gave a simple man-of-the-people response to defeat and his future, "I’ll be back." And so it was, marching forward with a six-fight kayo streak culminating in a title shot against Argentine toughman Victor Ramirez. Huck made the most of the second chance, vigorously attacking an equally adept mauler. Ramirez was the stylistic opposite of the smooth-punching Cunningham and it came down to which ring bully would capitulate. Huck learned from the Cunningham fight not to expend too much energy early, beating Ramirez to the punch while creating a safe distance to recuperate when not throwing punches. He even clinched effectively, while straight right hands put punctuation marks on his dominance from a distance. Ramirez won some rounds but never took a round emphatically or built any kind of momentum. The scores of 116-111 twice and 115-112 were ample reflection of Huck’s superiority.
The champion has thrived in the role of protectorate to the title and Godfrey represents the fourth defense of his throne in almost nine months. A busy schedule for a champion but one Huck gladly accepts. "The demands that are asked of- and boxers must overcome- in training are suited for my temperament. That is why I feel at home in boxing. I am not one who gladly relies on judges. I would like to win every fight before the final bell." Outside the ring, Huck gives the opposite impression of his vanquish or vanquished ring attitude. He is in constant contact with his parents, brother Kenan, and two sisters (Munevera and Muamera) and, like former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, is an avid chess player. There is little hint as to what the seemingly reserved individual does for a living. Huck observes before pronouncing judgment on subjects large or small. "Once I have made up my mind, I will express it and stand by it. I will show the needed respect but what touches my heart lies on my tongue." This is, if you think about it, exactly how Marco Huck fights.
You can contact Marty at mmulcahey@elpasotel.net or visit him at www.facebook.com/fivedogs
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