By Jason Kim: The cruiserweight clash between WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (30-1, 23 KO’s) and Russian challenger Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KO’s) is just moments away at the Max Schmeling Halle, in Berlin, Germany. Lebedev, 31, is a slight underdog for this fight. However, Lebedev is going to shock some fans in Germany with a crushing knockout of Huck. This is by far the toughest opponent that Huck has faced since he was taken out by Steve Cunningham in 2007 and Lebedev is an even better puncher than Cunningham.

For Huck to win, he has to stay away from Lebedev at call costs and avoid brawling with the Russian fighter. That may be all but impossible for Huck to do, because his whole game is designed around slugging it out with his opponents. Huck did at times box in beating Victor Emilio Ramirez last year. However, that was an opponent that didn’t have the same offensive tools that Lebedev possesses.

Huck won’t be able to run from Lebedev all night long without getting caught at least once, and that’s all it takes for Lebedev to win. Huck will wear down if he runs and get caught later in the fight like he was against Cunningham. It may be that the only way Huck can win is if he goes right at Lebedev and gets him before he Lebedev lowers the boom on Huck. It’s a dangerous way to fight the quick and powerful Russian southpaw, but it’s probably the only way that Huck can beat him. He won’t be able to box without getting tired and caught later in the fight. It’s better for Huck to go down swinging then to waste his chance and run until he gets taken out.

Prediction: Lebedev by 8th round KO