By Jim Dower: World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (30-1, 23 KO’s) was much too powerful for American contender Matt Godfrey (20-2, 10 KO’s) tonight, knocking him down three times en route to stopping Godfrey in the 5th round at the Messelhalle in Erfurt, Germany. In the 5th round, Huck came out throwing power shots from the waist and backing Godfrey up to the ropes. Once he had him there, Huck dropped Godfrey with a hard combination to the head. Godfrey got up and as soon as the action resumed, Huck drove him back to the ropes and quickly blasted him to the canvas for the second time in the round. Once again, Godfrey got back to his feet and resumed fighting. Huck then went after him burying him with shots until the referee stepped in and halted the fight.

Godfrey looked good in the 1st round, using his jab and moving well. He looked smooth and relaxed during that part of the fight. Things changed in the 2nd round, Huck measured Godfrey for a couple of big right hands that hurt him causing him to back up to the ropes. Huck then knocked him to the canvas with a hard right hand with only seconds to go in the round.

In the 3rd, Godfrey came out fighting and looked like he wanted to mix it up with Huck. That might not have been a good idea though as Huck landed a big right hand that sent Godfrey bouncing off the ropes. Huck then landed a storm of shots that put Godfrey down yet again. It looked like a low blow from Huck.

In the 4th, Huck mauled Godfrey against the ropes, tagging him with big shots to the head. Godfrey looked good when he would get off the ropes but he kept letting Huck take him there and punish him. Godfrey’s jab had no effect on Huck. It was the equivalent of waving a red in front of an angry bull. It just wasn’t helping matters any for Godfrey.