Marco Huck-Ola Afolabi I & II recap plus keys to victory & 3rd fight prediction

By Peter Wells (twitter @boxingbrains):

After two wars in 2009 and 2012 respectively these two fighters, Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi still insist they have a score to settle. The two warriors have earned one another's respect to the degree that they are both once again happy to put their respective careers on hold to enter the ring and trade bombs yet again. In the first encounter Huck was given the fight on a close unanimous decision, while the second contest saw two of the three judges scoring all level, pitting the fight as a draw and ultimately treating the fans to another great Cruiserweight affair. The Cruiserweight division has become the new heavyweights. The slightly smaller fighters have been delighting fans with wars aplenty as the new breed of heavyweights fail to provide the excitement that was always associated with the pinnacle weight class in boxing.

The first fight was far from a clean fought war. It was more in line with a sloppy brawl. Both fighters seemed to be fighting tired throughout the fight, where holding was a common sight. Although the scores were close I failed to see how Afolabi could have been handed the fight and I have no doubt that Huck was a deserved winner.

The opening rounds were close, but Huck seemed to be doing more work while Afolabi seemed to be enjoying the occasion too much, with lots of showboating and looking out of the ring. The 5th round was probably Ola's best round of the entire contest. He badly rocked Huck with a solid uppercut, but after that round Huck re-took control of the fight, winning the next four rounds. The final 3 rounds were hectic and I was kind in giving Afolabi rounds 10 and 12. My final scorecard read 117-113 Marco Huck, in a fight where Huck proved he was just the stronger man.

Three years later and the return, and Afolabi was ready to right the wrongs of the first contest. Straight from the off he showed clear improvements. Afolabi took centre ring from Huck and held his hands much higher, he was also happy to use the jab to outwork Huck early on. Keeping on the front foot made the fight a far more exciting spectacle, although as the fight wore on and the fatigue set in, scrappy exchanges soon ensued. This is where Marco Huck came back into the fight in the 2nd half of the contest.

After 12 exhausting rounds a great finish from Huck earned him a draw on the cards, and I have to agree, with my scorecard reading 114-114. Once again close rounds made the fight extremely hard to score, meaning the result is up for debate.

So now I look ahead to tomorrow nights third fight between the pair. For Ola Afolabi, he was far more successful on the front foot in the second fight, so would benefit from doing the same in the third affair. The jab was also a key weapon in the fight, he landed plenty, totally out jabbing Huck, which helped him into an early lead on the cards. The uppercut was an obvious weapon to use against Huck, yet Afolabi didn't use it half as much as he should have. When Huck inevitably gets inside, Afolabi must throw the uppercut to halt the Germans momentum. Although there were positives, Afolabi can improve in several areas. Firstly his conditioning as he faded badly in the championship rounds. Once the fight becomes an inside brawl it turns into Marco's fight. Also when tagged Afolabi would benefit from putting his hands up and trying to escape the danger area, as opposed to swinging wildly and trying to dodge haymakers with erratic head movement. The longer he can keep off the ropes and at long range the more likelihood Afolabi will get the win.



Afolabi(LEFT) & Huck(RIGHT)

As for Huck, he needs to issue his authority early on, try and force Afolabi to back up where he is far less effective. The left hook landed on several occasions in both encounters, that shot coupled with the straight right is a knockout combo. Huck has the knowledge that he can hurt Afolabi, but must be aware that Ola has the power to hurt him too, but he cannot be too cautious especially early on. If Huck can force Afolabi onto the back foot early in the fight and not dig himself a large hole then he can cause Afolabi to tire himself out early and then force home his strength late in the fight for a clear points win or even a stoppage.

So having looked at what the fighters can do to win, now for my prediction. The pick is for Afolabi to punch his authority early, while Huck tries hard to force him backwards. This should create damaging opportunities for Afolabi which he must take. Huck will inevitably come into the fight in the second half of the contest. In this stage Afolabi should remain cool and stick to his boxing. For me this time Afolabi will do just enough in the middle rounds to still get a close decision after a final assault to regain his belt from Huck.