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On Saturday, German star Marco “Kapt’n” Huck (34-2-1 25 KOs) hopes to retain his commended WBO Crusierweight title for the tenth time against heavy-handed former champion Firat Arslan (32-5-2 21 KOs). This will be the main event of a Team Sauerland Fight Night card from the Gerry-Weber Stadium in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
Despite betting margins seeming heavily lopsided in favor of the Champion Huck, I see much intrigue in this match up.
First of all, even at the elderly boxing age of 42, Firat Arslan has looked impressive in his recent comeback. He has cored three vicious knockouts of unworthy journeyman on the road and a draw against Alexander Alexseev that the vast majority actually believed he won.
Although, prior to that, Arslan collected back-to-back losses to power-punching Guillermo Jones and Steve Herelius, who are both limited but powerful fighters, all proving that Arslan can be defeated by people who can actually meet his shots.
Huck also has some blemishes. He fought Alexander Povetkin recently at Heavyweight and was closely edged a decision in a firefight. The same happened in his exact previous fight against British fighter Ola Afolabi, where the scorecards were more friendly with him in his hometown, escaping with a close raw.
We could see another fight like this for Arslan or another blood boiling stoppage victory for Huck like those against Hugo Hernan Garay, Rogilio Omar Rossi or Brian Minto. It strongly depends on how Arslan plays his cards, and if he is truly ready on Saturday.
Neither are the best fighters in the world, both have some limitations undeniably. However, I think Huck’s 15 year youth advantage could be the difference and the old opponent will fade late despite early surges of his former self, but that is just something that he’ll have to thrive through.
As proven in his only previous losses, Arslan will give this fight his very best efforts early but, as he likes to fight on the inside and trade, I cannot see him keeping up his pace long enough to outlast Huck, ending in a potentially statement making stoppage win late for Marco Huck.
If this was a few years ago, I could see either man potentially bullying the other into a late submission. But now, things have changed. I just think that Arslan can’t take the unrelenting strain he will be forced to endure in the ring with a prime Huck, as he is so much older.
That just gives Arslan range to make me look like a fool. Age is just a number? We will see. But Huck is looking like a younger and arguably more talented version of Arslan. And I stick with him taking a hard victory as long as he doesn’t overlook the hardened veteran.
So, you have my outlook, now tune in live on Boxnation in the United Kingdom, ARD in Germany and multiple other international platforms to view the boxing event this Saturday.
