Marco Huck vs. Ola Afolabi: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

It seems Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi still haven't seen enough of each other in the ring. On Saturday, the experienced cruiserweight duo will go head-to-head for a fourth time.

The latest chapter in the rivalry takes place at the Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle, Germany.

Their previous bouts have all gone the distance, with Huck winning twice on points and the other bout being scored a majority draw.

On all three of those occasions, Huck was defending his WBO title. However, this time Afolabi is the one with the belt, having become the IBO's new champion by knocking out Russian Rakhim Chakhkiev in Nov. 2015.

When: Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:05 p.m. GMT (5:05 p.m. ET)

Where: Gerry Weber Stadium, Halle, Germany

TV: RTL (Germany) (BoxNation (UK—subscription required)

Live stream: BoxNation (UK—subscription required)

Cutting Corners

Huck (38-3-1, 26 KOs) will be happy to be back in action on familiar territory—he was born in Serbia but is based in Berlin—after his American debut proved to be a disaster.

His 14th defence of the WBO crown ended up also being his last—Polish southpaw Krzysztof Glowacki stopped him in the penultimate round in Newark, New Jersey, in August 2015.

The defending champion was ahead on the scorecards and had recorded a knockdown of his own in Round 6, when a left hand from the challenger in Round 11 changed the complexion of the fight.

The response to the surprise defeat was to part ways with American trainer Don House and appoint Conni Mittermeier to work his corner instead.

But, according to BoxNation, the new team hasn't even made it to the first bell. Mittermeier is no longer working with the 31-year-old, with the website reporting Varol Vekiloglu will be head trainer on Saturday.

Huck said of the late switch, per AFP (h/t the Taipei Times): "I value people and Conni Mittermeier as a coach, he got me in great form and I’m grateful to him for that. But during sparring sessions, I had the growing feeling that Varol has a better approach in stress situations."

Former boxer Vekiloglu is only 32. He posted a 21-8-1 (13 KOs) record as a pro when campaigning at cruiserweight and light heavyweight.

Still, Huck won't need his new head trainer to tell him too much about Afolabi, an opponent who has always pushed the man nicknamed Kapt'n in their previous meetings.

Opportunity Knocks

Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

Afolabi's upset win over Chakhkiev in Kazan, Russia, was a timely one, to say the least.

The 35-year-old had previously lost to Argentina's Victor Emilio Ramirez in his attempt to become interim IBF champion in April 2015.

A second straight defeat in the same year would have left him in danger of slipping into cruiserweight obscurity.

Instead, Afolabi—who was born in London but now takes up residence in Los Angeles—overcame an early onslaught from Chakhkiev to knock out the IBO champion in Round 5.

The result opened up the opportunity for another showdown with the ever-willing Huck, albeit this time the roles are reversed.

Per Wil Esco of Bad Left Hook, Afolabi said: "I am very pleased to fight against Huck again. Our previous battles were all very exciting and close. This time though there is a big difference: I am the reigning world champion and he is the challenger. I will defend my title because I am at the peak of my career. Huck will get what Rakhim Chakhkiev got."

Kryptonite (22-4-4, 11 KOs) hasn't so far found a way to weaken Huck.

Afolabi—who is just ranked inside the top 10 by The Ring magazine—came close to beating his rival in 2012, with their second meeting seeing two officials score a bruising bout 114-114.

Prediction

The two warriors have provided three watchable battles in the past. Huck has held sway because he has been the aggressor up close, and there is no reason to think the same tactic cannot work for him again.

The reigning champion, in contrast, is unpredictable. Afolabi must make sure he does not become too defensive in the belief he can do enough from distance to retain his crown.

Huck—with his issues in the corner and coming off the back of just a second knockout loss—is there for the taking.

However, Afolabi won't seize the chance. Expect Huck to bounce back from his disappointing result against Glowacki by recording a unanimous-points triumph in Halle.