By Alexey Sukachev, Inna “Basya” Lagun and Yuri Tarantin (Allboxing.ru)
… And the hype goes on and cloaks it up. After a recent verbal and video challenge, induced by WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck in anticipation of his long-awaited showdown with WBO mandatory challenger Denis Lebedev, things between two highly-regarded and heavy-fisted sluggers have started to heat up.
“I wonder why Sauerland Event hasn’t assisted this ugly Russian to get his visa for tonight’s presser”, said Huck during Monday’s media meeting, arranged by the German party with Chris Meyer, Hagan Doering and Ulli Wegner also taking their parts, while Team Lebedev wasn’t in attendance. “Lebedev has nothing to lose; he will become much prettier under my punches. One can doubt about my victory but I’ll knock this ugly Russian out of the ring in front of my dear fans and will send him back to ice-cold Russia beltless”, was quoted Huck by figosport.de…
… In an interview with Championat.Ru reporter Konstantin Ustyantsev, Lebedev answered Huck in style.
“I don’t read web sources, so I don’t know what my future opponent has said during the last press-conference. He called me the “Ugly Russian”, didn’t he? Well, I’m ok with that. But Huck should realize he will have to answer for his words. I shall not stoop to insulations and pointless video challenges. One of my previous opponents did the same thing, and one can see what has happened to him in reality. I prefer to speak to the rivals with my fists inside the ring, not outside it. If Mr. Huck lacks good manners, I’ll teach him them on Dec. 18”.
However, while speaking to Andrey Bazdrev, Lebedev also found some good words for his rival. “Huck is very strong, and what impresses me most is his excellent conditioning and his stamina. He can fight intensively for an entire fight, i.e. for twelve rounds, but he is also able to produce a chilling kayo at the starters. More to this, he does not disdain to various dirty tricks like rabbit punches, excessive use of elbows, constant holding and some other roughhouse game”…
… Unlike Huck, his head coach Ulli Wegner isn’t so confident and views harder problems ahead for his protégé to overcome. Yet he believes the champion has enough skills and power to defeat Lebedev even though he won’t be the favorite in that particular contest.
“Oppositely to the Klitschko fights where you struggle to find boxers who can be on even terms with the champions, this upcoming collision will be extremely close. Folks, buy tickets and visit Max Schmeling Halle to support Marco. Both pugilists possess equal caliber guns, so it will be a duel of two tacticians, not punchers. Lebedev’s coach (Valery Belov) trained Alexander Povetkin in his past. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him, and I shall try to prepare Marco for Lebedev’s attacks. I know only a minority of fans and experts view us as favorites. On my mind, our chances to succeed are limited just to 40% now but I’m sure that diligent preparations will help me to rise them to fifty-fifty”.
He later added some thoughts in his conversation with Alexander Pavlov of Sportbox.ru. “One cannot predict the outcome of this fight. Lebedev has a colossal amateur backup and his pro record is also impressive. Denis is a favorite in the upcoming fight, and surely Marco will be in deep waters against the Russian as he doesn’t have an equal amount of amateur experience. But in battles with (Ola) Afolabi and (Victor) Ramirez, Marco showed that he was also a force to be reckoned with. The future match-up will be plain terrific. Witnesses will be entitled for one of the most thrilling fights in recent memory”…
… “Denis is all right, he is wonderful shape”, reports Lebedev’s renowned manager Vladimir Hryunov to Allboxing’s Yuri Tarantin. “He will start sparring sessions soon and we have several acclaimed names for him to prepare with. There are really sound fighters who will help us during the training camp”.
“How can I answer to Huck’s escapade? I don’t think it is necessary. Denis will answer himself – on Dec. 18. In my mind, Germany is the country of the highest cultural level possible. Goethe, Heine and others – I can name them all day long… Henry Maske, Sven Ottke, Ulli Wegner – those are intellectuals of the ring, men who are known for their modesty and class. Huck?... He will find an answer inside the ring”.
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The Ring #2 Marco Huck (30-1, 23 KOs) and #5 Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KOs) collide on Dec. 18 in Max Schmeling Halle. Russian top heavyweight Alexander Povetkin (20-0, 15 KOs) and Germany-based Italian Francesco Pianeta (20-0-1, 12 KOs), who has recovered well after an oncologic surgery, will be featured on the undercard of the show. Their opponents will be known later.
Marco Huck was also awarded a special trophy by Sauerland Event chiefs during the presser. Huck was named “the most aggressive (active) defendant of the title in 2010” by the WBO headquarters.
