Dave Johnson breaks down Oleksandr Usyk vs Marco Huck taking place tonight, September 9th, 2017 at the Max Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany.

WBO Champion Oleksandr Usyk (12-0 10KO) vs Marco Huck (40-4-1 27KO) duke it out tonight in what promises to be an intriguing fight.

Usyk, the tournament’s overall favorite and first pick in the draft gala July 8th in Monte Carlo, Monaco, chose Huck as his first opponent.

It was the fight his fans wanted to see most, Usyk said when asked about his choice.

Huck, being a battle-hardened veteran of the division and the second longest reigning cruiserweight titlists of all time, was equally excited to take on the division’s heir apparent after Usyk stormed in after Olympic glory winning the gold in the heavyweight division.

Usyk, as talented as he is, allows himself to be hit a lot as the competition has been getting stronger.

His hand speed, work rate and effective jab have earned him solid victories against Michael Hunter and Kryzstof Glowacki.

Huck, while not being a pushover by any means, looked very faded against his most recent shot at a title, losing a decision to fellow tournament opponent – Latvian Mairis Breidis in April.

Perhaps a bad night or downhill slope that’s only going to get steeper.

It’s hard to imagine Huck escaping Usyk after the wars he’s been in with Glowacki and Breidis, and he’ll simply be too fresh and too fast.

Outcome in my opinion: Usyk, Round ten, Technical Knockout.