Huck (right) and Lebedev at the weigh-in

Saturday night at the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany comes a card promoted by Sauerland Event and the depth of talent on display is impressive. In the main event WBO cruiserweight champion and German favourite Marco ‘Kaptn’ Huck (30-1, 23KO’s) faces a potentially stern test against undefeated mandatory challenger Denis Lebedeev (21-0, 16KO’s) of Russia.

For Huck this could be his toughest fight since his first and only loss to Steve Cunningham (TKO12) in 2007. Huck bounced back well from the defeat, his first challenge for a World title, by picking up the European title then taking the WBO version with a twelve-round decision over then champion Victor Emilio Ramirez. Four successful defences later, including a unanimous decision over Ola Afolabi, Huck has redeemed himself as a genuine World level operator but against Lebedeev could be facing his toughest opponent since Cunningham, although Huck does acknowledge this.

“I have a feeling that this fight will be my toughest test to date,” said Huck. “Lebedev is believed to be very strong. He might very well be the best cruiserweight out there after me. Then again, maybe it will be a very easy fight for me. Who knows? It is impossible to tell before a fight. I am highly motivated, so let´s see how it goes.”

Denis Lebedeev has been making something of a name for himself and with good reason. Impressive early knockout’s over rival contenders such as Alexander Alexeev and Enzo Maccarinelli have seen the Russian puncher catapult up the ranking’s but make no mistake Huck will still be the best fighter he has ever faced.

Both fighters are punchers and because of that we could be in for a very exciting match-up. Provided both men are not too cautious, although they almost certainly will be early on, then the crowd could be treated to an exciting cruiserweight battle. Huck  must be favoured to win, through controlled boxing and ringcraft, but Lebedeev will be dangerous every second he’s in there.

“I am no big talker, I will show my power inside the ring,” Lebedev said. His coach Valery Belov added: “We are not scared of anybody or anything and we are prepared for a big challenge on Saturday night.”

Hernandez(right) and Ismailov square off for the cameras

In the main fight of a good undercard touted German-based Cuban Yoan Pablo Hernandez (22-1, 11KO’s) faces Russia’s Ali Ismailov (18-3-1, 13KO’s) in an eliminator for the WBA cruiserweight title, currently held by Guillermo Jones.

Hernandez’s undefeated run was ended brutally by Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite in March’ 09 when the former World champion produced an upset to stop the Cuban in three rounds but since then Hernandez has regained his momentum and has won his last eight, some more impressively than others.

He will have to bring his a-game this time though because Ismailov is no mug. Apart from an early career loss Ismailov has lost in good class to Victor Emilio Ramirez in his one and only World title challenge in May ’09 then more recently to main event fighter Denis Lebedeev. Although the Ramirez fight was close, close enough for the judges to score it a split decision, the Lebedeev loss was far clearer and although officially pulled out from a cut in the sixth round was losing the fight.

Quite how this bodes for Lebedeev against Hernandez is as of yet unclear but the winner of this one will be in a very good position to push on for World honours once more.

Another high-profile fighter on the undercard is heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin (20-0, 15KO’s), who faces a routine ten-round bout against American trialhorse Nicolai Firtha (19-7-1, 8KO’s). This should be nothing more than a straightforward win for Povetkin, who has his sights set on much loftier opponents in the near future.

1. Huck wins split decision over Lebedev to retain WBO cruiser title
2. Huck to defend against Lebedev- Cruiserweight blockbuster?
3. Marco Huck-Matt Godfrey. WBO cruiserweight title preview
4. Dzinziruk faces a tough test against Collazo