At the Gerry Weber Stadium, Halle, Germany, Huck vs Afolabi IV didn’t live up to its lofty expectations. History may have suggested another back-and-forth, neck-and-neck encounter, but it wasn’t to be tonight. Huck out-muscled and dominated Afolabi in an uncompetitive contest, with Boxing Base’s scorecard a near shutout going into the 10th round, reading 99-90.
Afolabi, who was sporting a grotesquely swollen left eye, was retired by his corner before the 11th could begin. For Afolabi, a proud fighter who has never been stopped in his 12-year pro career, this was one of his lowest moments. But, considering the man had been a sitting duck for Huck’s right hands since the 7th round, it was undoubtedly the right call to make.
The fight itself was mostly unremarkable, and certainly in the early sessions. Huck, who had the greater sense of urgency overall, caught the eye with some high-energy combinations, but also some unsightly rough-house tactics during clinches. It was towards the end of the 2nd that Afolabi’s eye began swelling (whether it was a punch, forearm or head which caused it, I couldn’t say). Huck was having moderate success at best, but was easily outshining the plodding Afolabi who fell short with much of his offense.
Huck continued with his high-tempo spurts through to the 6th round, and was clearly bossing the action. Afolabi, despite being rocked by a right-hand in the 5th, dug deep to find some admirable responses, but seemed to be in a bout he just couldn’t win. Huck continued to make things ugly during clinches, creating plenty of work for the referee. Afolabi’s night soon went from bad to awful in the 7th when an accidental head butt added a cut to his – now completely shut – left eye. And after he pawed at it with his glove, Huck saw the green light to unload with full-blooded attacks.
With Huck’s wounded foe now fighting half-blind, it was just a matter of time before things started becoming terribly one-sided. Well, even more one-sided, I should say. Huck was deducted one point for hitting after the bell in the 9th, but it really couldn’t have mattered less at that point. Afolabi was trailing behind on the cards, eating too many clean blows to the head – particularly right hands he couldn’t see coming – and was ultimately in a very dangerous place. The contest ended shortly after the bell to end the 10th round, at which point Afolabi supporters could finally rest.
Huck now returns to winning ways, building his record to 39 wins, 27 knockouts, 3 defeats and 1 draw, while Afolabi drops to 22 wins, 11 knockouts, 5 defeats and 4 draws.
In the chief support, boxing sensation Cecilia Braekhus made easy work of Chris Namus, winning a Unanimous Decision after shutout scores of 100-90 (thrice) were announced. Namus now drops to 21 wins, 8 knockouts and 4 defeats, while Braekhus extends her unbeaten record to 28 wins and 7 knockouts. Braekhus successfully defended her IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO Welterweight titles in the process, and it’s hard to see them leaving her trophy cabinet anytime soon.
What’s your take on Huck vs Afolabi IV? And will 3-0-1 be the final score in their Cruiserweight quadrilogy?
