http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/ola_afolabi/75268 Recent articles about Ola Afolabi en-us The wait for Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) is almost over. On June 8, the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion will lace-up his gloves for the very first time in his home city of Berlin, Germany after two and a half years on the road. The 28-year-old will take on interim-titlist Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in his eleventh defense of his belt and the third against the Brit. Credit: Karina Hessland “All good things come in threes,” said Huck, who is currently in the intense phase of his preparations. “So far Afolabi hasn’t been able to find a way to beat me and it won’t be any different this time round.” And of course the prodigy of Ulli Wegner wants to prove that he does not just talk the talk but also walks the walk. Hence, he will not be holding back during this week’s training as the sparring has just begun. “We have laid down the foundations. Now we are waiting to see if Marco is able to stick to the tactics we worked on when he is under the pressure of s... Tue, 14 May 2013 13:05:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/marco_huck_working_hard_in_camp_to_prepare_for_third_match_with_afolabi/13615406 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/marco_huck_working_hard_in_camp_to_prepare_for_third_match_with_afolabi/13615406 Marco Huck working hard in camp to prepare for third match with Afolabi http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/marco_huck_working_hard_in_camp_to_prepare_for_third_match_with_afolabi/13615406 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/d/ad5a54d40c606eb0dc2d21f89f037a502f1b4413/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_e0e4.jpg Fight Pick & Preview - Huck vs. Afolabi III: On June 8, WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck renews his rivalry with Ola Afolabi for their third encounter. This is Huck’s 11th defense of his title with two of those challenges coming from Afolabi. Their first fight in 2009 was a close unanimous win for Huck, while the two fought to a draw in their 2012 rematch. Afolabi is certainly a crafty and tough fighter. He gave Huck two close fights, but what can change now? Perhaps Huck will grow complacent and become bored with the challenge of Afolabi, thus entering the ring in diminished form. Something like that could open the door for Afolabi. But if he were meant to beat Huck, it would have happened before now. The judges aren’t likely to start seeing his work more clearly and Huck isn’t likely to start phoning it in at this point. Date: June 8, 2013 Site: Max Schmeling Halle, Berlin, Germany Weight Class: WBO Cruiserweight Title (200 Pounds): 12 Rounds Marco Huck, 35-2-1 (25 KOs)... Mon, 13 May 2013 12:25:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/marco_huck_vs_ola_afolabi_iii_preview_prediction/13607432 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/marco_huck_vs_ola_afolabi_iii_preview_prediction/13607432 Marco Huck vs. Ola Afolabi III preview & prediction http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/marco_huck_vs_ola_afolabi_iii_preview_prediction/13607432 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d498e33df7201eda98942f9cd1664ee9fe1f71e/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_b845.jpg There is definitely no love lost. Britain's Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) did say he would hug and shake hands with his opponent Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) after their WBO Title Fight on June 8 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany – but the attending members of the press were not really convinced after the pair's previous war of words during Monday’s press conference. Before Afolabi started his attempt to calm things down, current WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck and the Interims Titlist were involved in a heated exchange of words. The first one to trade verbal blows was the 28-year-old German. “Afolabi is starting to get on my nerves. I beat him in December 2009. After I fought Alexander Povetkin for the WBA Heavyweight Crown, it was difficult for me to find the right motivation for my rematch with Afolabi in May last year. However, I believe that I actually won that bout, even though it was scored as a majority draw. That won’t happen again. I w... Mon, 06 May 2013 14:13:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/photos_quotes_from_intense_huck_vs_afolabi_iii_presser/13560731 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/photos_quotes_from_intense_huck_vs_afolabi_iii_presser/13560731 Photos & quotes from intense Huck vs. Afolabi III presser http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/photos_quotes_from_intense_huck_vs_afolabi_iii_presser/13560731 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/2/f28730b7addcc16522984bc52952cfacb1b76b99/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_7e81.jpg The fight between WBO Titlist Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) and interim champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) is going to be staged on June 8 in Berlin, Germany at the Max-Schmeling-Halle. “I’m glad that we have finally arrived at this point. I will be fighting in my backyard,” said an excited Huck ahead of the highly anticipated championship clash. The first time the pair have met inside the ring was back in December of 2009 in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Back then, the prodigy of Coach Ulli Wegner won a hard fought battle after twelve rounds by unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 to his name. After Huck’s brief spell as a heavyweight in a world title fight against WBA King Alexander Povetkin and with Afolabi recapturing the interim title, they met once again on May 5 of last year. The rematch in Erfurt, Germany again went the whole distance and the bout ended in a majority draw (114-114, 114-114 and 115-113), resulting in Afolabi keeping his WBO mandatory positio... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:20:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_iii_set_for_june_8_in_berlin/13510733 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_iii_set_for_june_8_in_berlin/13510733 Huck vs. Afolabi III set for June 8 in Berlin http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_vs_afolabi_iii_set_for_june_8_in_berlin/13510733 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/c/9c7527059e5181cac66e112b7f707d1d6cd4d315/mini/Marco_Huck_v_7fef.jpg A decision has been made, as  Sauerland Event has been awarded the right to host the hotly anticipated fight Marco Huck vs. Ola Afolabi III. Originally Don King won the purse bid for the WBO Cruiserweight World Championship on February 26 by offering $1.5 million. However, the 81-year-old wasn't able to clear the necessary details within a set period of time and couldn't find a television partner to broadcast the fight. Therefore, the World Boxing Organization handed the right to the second highest bidder, Sauerland Event, who made a bid of $914,000. "We always said that the bid was a bit over the top. It was a fantasy bid, wishful thinking. Now that everybody else has come to the same realization we can start the planning process," said Sauerland Event Managing Director Chris Meyer. "We have just extended the deal with WBO Champion Marco Huck. Over the coming days we will sit down with Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions), who is looking after Ola Afolabi, and will t... Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:37:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_iii_goes_to_sauerland_after_don_king_fails_to_put_bout_together/13449046 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_iii_goes_to_sauerland_after_don_king_fails_to_put_bout_together/13449046 Huck vs. Afolabi III goes to Sauerland after Don King fails to put bout together http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_vs_afolabi_iii_goes_to_sauerland_after_don_king_fails_to_put_bout_together/13449046 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/c/9c7527059e5181cac66e112b7f707d1d6cd4d315/mini/Marco_Huck_v_7fef.jpg Wegner prodigy Huck still cruiserweight champion after strong finish Marco “Captain” Huck is the new and old WBO Cruiserweight World Champion. On Saturday night the 27-year-old fought out a draw against mandatory challenger Ola Afolabi in front of 5,500 fans at the Messehalle in Erfurt. After twelve drama-filled rounds, judge Zoltan Enyedi gave the fight to the German with 115-113. Both Ingo Barrabas and Paul Thomas scored the bout 114-114. “It was a good fight,“ said Huck. “I am a real fighter and warrior, which is why I still have my title.” And it seems that the prodigy of Ulli Wegner was correct with his evaluation. To begin with Ola Afolabi was more agile and active and managed to take charge of the fight. Round three started with some great combinations by Huck, and his British opponent was clearly affected by it. But in round four the challenger, coached by Fritz Sdunek, landed a strong left hook to the chin of the German during an infight. And it seemed as if the champion... Sun, 06 May 2012 23:59:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_ii_results_huck_scrapes_by_to_retain_title_via_draw/10733468 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_ii_results_huck_scrapes_by_to_retain_title_via_draw/10733468 Huck-Afolabi II results: Huck scrapes by to retain title via draw http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_afolabi_ii_results_huck_scrapes_by_to_retain_title_via_draw/10733468 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Marco Huck successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title Saturday night when he boxed a majority draw with Britain's Ola Afolabi at the Messehalle in Erfurt, Germany. After 12 rounds, two of the judges turned in scores of 114-114, with the third giving it to Huck by 115-113. For once, a decision in Germany made sense, probably because the three judges were from abroad. This was a humdinger of a contest, with Afolabi (19-2-1, 9 KOs), taking the first half of the fight, and Huck (34-2-1, 25 KOs), the second half, with the two fighters sharing a 12th round that will be a contender for round of the year. Huck was his usual self, punching in spurts, but generally allowing himself to be speared on the end of roundhouse lefts and rights from the on-coming Afolabi. Huck's nose was bloodied in the third round, and he was cut by the left eye in the sixth. Gradually, though, the Serbian-born German found a foothold in the fight as Afolabi slowed, and Huck began to land some clubbing right hands. With 20 s Sun, 06 May 2012 05:50:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_fight_to_draw/10728644 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_fight_to_draw/10728644 Huck, Afolabi fight to draw http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_afolabi_fight_to_draw/10728644 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d498e33df7201eda98942f9cd1664ee9fe1f71e/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_b845.jpg While most of the boxing world (At least in the United States) is focused on tomorrow night's Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto PPV, there's also a stacked boxing event taking place in Germany. The card is headlined by a cruiserweight title fight and rematch between Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi. But there's a whole lineup of intriguing fights on the card, and right here you can find the official weights for the fighters, as well as some photos from the weigh-in event this afternoon. Here are the weights from Erfurt, Germany: WBO Championship Cruiserweight Title: Marco Huck: 90,0 kg / 198.4 lbs Ola Afolabi: 90,3 kg / 199.1 lbs WBO Championship Super-Middleweight Title: Robert Stieglitz: 75,6 kg / 166.7 lbs Nader Hamdan: 75,5 kg / 166.9 lbs EBU Championship Heavyweight Title: Kubrat Pulev: 111,4 kg / 245.6 lbs Alexander Dimitrenko: 116,8 kg / 257.6 lbs Of course, the card was supposed to be even better, as Stieglitz was supposed to take on George Groves. However, G... Fri, 04 May 2012 15:03:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_weigh_in_results_pictures/10721549 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_weigh_in_results_pictures/10721549 Huck vs. Afolabi weigh-in results, pictures http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_vs_afolabi_weigh_in_results_pictures/10721549 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/d/ad5a54d40c606eb0dc2d21f89f037a502f1b4413/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_e0e4.jpg The Messehalle in Erfurt, Germany plays host Saturday night to an intriguing bill headlined by the WBO cruiserweight rematch between Marco "Captain" Huck and Britain's Ola Afolabi. The chief support features two European heavyweight prospects, Alexander Dimitrenko and Kubrat Pulev, who'll be contesting the vacant EBU title. Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) is reprising his December 2009 first WBO title defense, when he handily defeated Afolabi over 12 rounds. This time he's making the ninth defense of the strap, just three months after an abortive assault on Alexander Povetkin's WBA heavyweight title (of sorts), when he swapped punches on pretty much even terms with Povetkin but was narrowly out-scored. Huck, 27, picked up some plaudits for his brave effort against Povetkin, and the fight was a barn-stormer, if woefully lacking in quality. He'll drop 10 pounds in weight to renew hostilities with Afolabi (19-2, 9 KOs), who has gone 6-0 since their last outing, and has looked like a fighter i Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:33 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_dimitrenko_steiglitz_fight_saturday/10707113 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_dimitrenko_steiglitz_fight_saturday/10707113 Huck, Dimitrenko, Steiglitz fight Saturday http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_dimitrenko_steiglitz_fight_saturday/10707113 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/a/9a75594975506bb4e5ca40e428bbc5f570bb2ecb/mini/Universum_Champions_Night_dbbb.jpg Normally at a press conference only the fighters of the main event are in the spotlight. But this was not the case on Wednesday afternoon in Erfurt. The spectators of the big fight night on May 5 are also keen to find out which coach comes up with the better strategy for the world championship bout between the cruiserweights Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi. Hence the two coaching legends of German boxing, Ulli Wegner and Fritz Sdunek, did not hold back at the conference. But before they got started, the WBO champion himself had a few things to say. “Ola Afolabi is a really tough guy. But mentally I am very strong. Therefore he won't get my title,” said Huck. This is the second time that the 27-year-old will be boxing at the Messehalle in Erfurt and he is extremely happy to do so. His first fight here, back in August 2010, ended with a KO victory over the American Matt Godfrey. “The fans here are extremely enthusiastic about boxing so it is amazing that they will get to witness such ... Wed, 02 May 2012 13:40:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_ii_presser_photos_quotes_notes/10703900 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_ii_presser_photos_quotes_notes/10703900 Huck-Afolabi II presser photos, quotes & notes http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_afolabi_ii_presser_photos_quotes_notes/10703900 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d498e33df7201eda98942f9cd1664ee9fe1f71e/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_b845.jpg Huck vs. Afolabi: Back to the future The rematch is just around the corner. Once again Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) and Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) will fight it out for the WBO Cruiserweight World championship, this time at the Messehalle in Erfurt on May 5. In December 2009, the two athletes squared off in Ludwigsburg. Back then Huck won an exciting bout by unanimous decision. Two-and-a-half years later both men believe that they have grown and developed into better boxers. May 5 will show who really has put in the work since then. The current champion is aware of the fact that his opponent is stronger than before. “He must have developed since our last meeting, otherwise he wouldn't be the mandatory challenger for my belt,” said Huck. “But I myself have become a better boxer in comparison to two years ago. With each fight I become wiser and more experienced.” Afolabi is also adamant that he is a much improved fighter than he was in their previous face-off. “I was... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:02:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/who_has_the_edge_in_huck_vs_afolabi_rematch/10684286 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/who_has_the_edge_in_huck_vs_afolabi_rematch/10684286 Who has the edge in Huck vs. Afolabi rematch? http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/who_has_the_edge_in_huck_vs_afolabi_rematch/10684286 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d498e33df7201eda98942f9cd1664ee9fe1f71e/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_b845.jpg Gerber takes on Harris on Stacked May 5th card in Erfurt, Germany The May 5 fight card at the Messehalle in Erfurt is going to be stacked up with big clashes for titles, like Marco Huck defending the WBO crown at cruiserweight against Ola Afolabi as well as Kubrat Pulev and Alexander Dimitrenko challenging for the vacant European Championship at heavyweight. Besides these highlights, the show is also going to offer some young guns who are trying to make themselves a name and entertain the crowd. One of them is Edmund Gerber, who is currently, according to his manager Wilfried Sauerland, the biggest heavyweight talent to come out of Germany. Trained by Karsten Roewer, the Schwerin-native already has 19 wins in 19 fights under his belt, 13 of them coming by way of knockout. The European Boxing Union (EBU) ranks him inside their top ten, which shows that he could already be considered to fight for their prestigious title. However, the 23-year-old Gerber does not just aim fo... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:48:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/edmund_gerber_wants_to_make_a_statement_against_maurice_harris/10641154 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/edmund_gerber_wants_to_make_a_statement_against_maurice_harris/10641154 Edmund Gerber wants to make a statement against Maurice Harris http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/edmund_gerber_wants_to_make_a_statement_against_maurice_harris/10641154 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Kubrat Pulev to take on Alexander Dimitrenko for vacant European Heavyweight Title on May 5 A real heavyweight highlight is on the cards for the spectators at the Messehalle Erfurt on May 5. Not only will Marco Huck take on Ola Afolabi to defend his WBO Cruiserweight Title but there is also a bout for the vacant European Championship when heavyweights Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) meet in the ring. “This is a great chance for me,” said the 30-year-old Pulev, who is currently ranked inside the top 15 by the WBA, IBF and WBO. Since his professional debut back in September 2009, he is unbeaten and of course aiming to keep this record alive. Last October Pulev won the Heavyweight IBF-International Championship against the American Travis Walker in Ludwigsburg. He then defended his title only three months later in Offenburg against the Brit Michael Sprott. But competing for the European title is something very special for the Berlin-base... Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:36:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/pulev_vs_dimitrenko_for_european_heavyweight_title_on_may_5_huck_afolabi_undercard/10522604 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/pulev_vs_dimitrenko_for_european_heavyweight_title_on_may_5_huck_afolabi_undercard/10522604 Pulev vs. Dimitrenko for European heavyweight title on May 5 Huck-Afolabi undercard http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/pulev_vs_dimitrenko_for_european_heavyweight_title_on_may_5_huck_afolabi_undercard/10522604 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will make his mandatory defense against interim champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) in Erfurt, Germany on May 5. It will be the second time the two fighters face each other in the ring, with Huck clinching a close points victory in their first meeting in December 2009. “I had just won the title against Victor Emilio Ramirez and then had to make my first defense against Afolabi,” Huck said. It was a tough fight and I won on points. Afolabi has been victorious in all of his fights ever since. He seems to have gotten stronger. I will be prepared for a hard night on May 5.” After challenging WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin in February, Huck will have to lose weight again. “He weighed around 95 kilos (210 lbs) prior to the Povetkin fight,” coach Ulli Wegner said. “Now he has to lose five kilos (10 lbs). That is something new for him. He has a lot of muscles, so it won't be easy. But we will get it done dur... Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:54:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_rematch_official_for_may_5_in_erfurt_germany/10375315 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_rematch_official_for_may_5_in_erfurt_germany/10375315 Huck vs. Afolabi rematch official for May 5 in Erfurt, Germany http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_vs_afolabi_rematch_official_for_may_5_in_erfurt_germany/10375315 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/c/9c7527059e5181cac66e112b7f707d1d6cd4d315/mini/Marco_Huck_v_7fef.jpg Huck returns to cruiserweight, defends WBO Title against Afolabi: Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will return to the cruiserweight division following last month's exciting clash with WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin. After long talks with Hall of Fame Promoter Wilfried Sauerland, coach Ulli Wegner, Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer and sports director Hagen Doering, Huck made the decision to continue at cruiserweight, where he holds the WBO title. For what it's worth, we always assumed Huck would return to cruiserweight after the Povetkin clash. Even if he had gotten the win there, it seemed as if the logical move would be to cash out with a mega-fight in Germany against one of the Klitschko brothers, and then return to cruiserweight anyway. His next opponent will be mandatory challenger and interim champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs). Next up for Povetkin is the mandatory defensee ... Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:36:11 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_officially_returns_to_cruiserweight_sets_rematch_against_ola_afolabi/10262998 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_officially_returns_to_cruiserweight_sets_rematch_against_ola_afolabi/10262998 Huck officially returns to cruiserweight, sets rematch against Ola Afolabi http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_officially_returns_to_cruiserweight_sets_rematch_against_ola_afolabi/10262998 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/c/9c7527059e5181cac66e112b7f707d1d6cd4d315/mini/Marco_Huck_v_7fef.jpg