Duva Boxing: Afolabi Still An Elite Cruiserweight After Huck Loss

Although cruiserweight Ola Afolabi had his five-fight win streak snapped at the hands of Marco Huck in their 12-round WBO title tilt on Saturday in Germany, both Afolabi and his promoter Dino Duva believe the British-born fighter illustrated that he belongs with the elite of the division.

“Marco Huck is to be congratulated on the win to be sure, but it was a fight that Ola could have and should have won,” said Duva. “Ola made mistakes that you can’t make when fighting on an opponent’s home turf. Clowning around with the crowd, not fighting every minute of every round, and not closing it out when he had Huck down in the fifth round, all cost him the fight.

“But Ola fought a close fight, and I still think he won it,” added Duva. “He blocked most of Huck’s punches, and I think the judges may have been influenced by the crowd reaction, even though many of the punches were actually blocked. It will have to be a learning experience.”

“Ola has had only 19 fights in his entire life, to think he has come this far is amazing in itself,” wrapped up Duva. “He will come back better than ever, and prove to be a world champion.”

Afolabi echoed his promoter’s sentiments, looking toward next year and redemption.

“First, congratulations to Marco Huck,” said the 6-3 native of London. “I promise one thing: Next year will be my year. The fans will see a more determined and physically strong Afolabi. I have a message for the British fans: Trust me, I will earn your respect. If I have to knockout every cruiserweight out there to earn it, I will. “

Afolabi has made great strides since his professional debut in 2002, but concedes he needs a greater focus. “Coming from having no amateur career, and no promoter early in my career to select fights against opponents I could develop against, I made it all the way up to fighting for a world title in 18 fights alone,” said Ola.

“I fought a fight that I would have won anywhere else except Germany. I also think my lack of experience and focus showed in that fight. No excuses, I should have won it. I know in my heart that I am the better fighter, and I won’t let a fight slip away from me ever again. I will be champion again.”

Added Duva: “Some changes in the training situation have to be made. You can’t train with one trainer in gym, and then be told that the trainer can’t make fight. It’s not fair to the fighter. That happened to Ola in this fight, and it’s not right. He may have lost this fight in the corner, and he deserves better than that.”