Boxing In Germany: WBO Champ Huck Headlines Big Fight Card Tonight

ByHermann Helmut

The action in Germany tonight takes place at Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle as WBO cruiser king Marco Huck returns to the ring, accompanied by the likes of heavyweights Robert Helenius, Samuel Peter and Kali Meehan.

Huck, 31-1 (23), meets the challenge posed by unbeaten challenger Ran Nakash, 25-0 (18), an Israeli resident who has fought half of his contests in America.

The champion is far, far more experienced than Nakash, who has only been ten rounds twice and has never faced an opponent anywhere near world class caliber. This doesn’t look promising for Nakash and he’ll have to produce a perfect performance if he is to take Huck’s WBO title.

Possibly Huck was due for a less difficult bout after pulling out a split decision against another unbeaten foe, Dennis Lebedev, in December but “Kapt’n Hook” really needs to step up his level of competition if he is to succeed in any potential unification clash.

The chief support bout does look to be much more evenly matched as Finnish heavyweight prospect Robert Helenius, 14-0 (9), steps up to meet former WBC titlist Samuel Peter, 34-4 (27), for the WBA and WBO Intercontinental straps.

Peter is coming off a second loss to Wladimir Klitschko six months ago and the “Nigerian Nightmare” will be looking to get back into the title picture with a win over a much less seasoned foe.

However, with victories under his belt over the likes of ex-WBO champ Lamon Brewster, Gbenga Oloukun, Scott Gammer and Taras Bydenko, current European Union titlist Helenius will be looking for the biggest name yet on his CV.

Helenius has the height and youth advantage but he’ll have to use the boxing skills that won him acclaim as an amateur to avoid the power shots of Peter or it will be another case of two much too soon for a promising prospect.

The European Union light heavy trophy is on offer in the clash between Artur Hein, 14-1 (8), and Tony Averlant, 15-5-1 (3), with Hein expected to turn back the French veteran.

Former WBO heavyweight title challenger Kali Meehan, 36-4 (29), continues his comeback at age 41 as the Aussie resident meets Estonian journeyman Valeri Semiskur, 17-27-1 (9), over a scheduled six rounds. Semiskur has lost his last six, five within the distance.