Power punching WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck successfully defended his title for the eighth time at the weekend with a  sixth-round KO over game Argentine challenger Rogelio Omar Rossi in Germany. The 6'3'' Rossi came to fight, and offered stiff resistance for four rounds. Showing no fear of Huck's fearsome reputation, the Argentinian bravely traded shots with the champion, pumping his jab out relentlessly, and keeping the early rounds close. 

At the end of round four, Huck landed a left hook that floored Rossi a clear two seconds after the bell. The Berlin based Serbian was sternly warned by referee Paul Thomas, and was penalized two points on the ringside judges score cards. Rossi was given extra time to recover. 

However, in the fifth it was clear that Rossi's challenge was falling apart, as he hit the deck twice and barely survived the round. In round six another Huck assault capped by a chilling right hand dropped Rossi for the full count. 

It was a typical night's work for 26 year old Huck (34-1, 25 KOs), who although not the prettiest of ring technicians, is extremely effective, and seems to be far too strong for the current crop of cruiserweight contenders. His only loss came four years ago, when as a raw 22 year old he gave defending IBF champ Steve ''USS'' Cunningham a sensational fight before being stopped on his feet in the twelfth. 

Huck won the WBO cruiserweight title  two years later, and his eight subsequent title defenses have included wins over Britain's Ola Afolabi, former heavyweight contender Brian Minto and current WBA no.1 contender Denis Lebedev. The Serb is trained by Ulli Wegner, Germany's most famous boxing coach, who's fighters have included Sven Ottke, Marcus Beyer, Arthur Abraham and new IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez.  

After defeating Rossi, Huck hinted at a future move up to the heavyweights, and the possibility of pitting his punching power against Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, the German-based Ukrainian brothers who between them hold every major heavyweight world title belt.

40 year old WBC heavyweight champ Vitali is looking for an opponent for early 2012, and the Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente is known to have specifically targeted Huck, if he is willing. 

Huck is promoted by Sauerland Event and is contractually bound to German terrestrial TV giant ARD, while the Klitschko's have an exclusive deal to box only on rival network RTL.

"We are looking for an opponent for Vitali in February or March. Huck can compete - if he accepts that RTL will broadcast the fight," Boente told German journalist Jorg Lubrik this week.

If Huck were to agree a one-off arrangement with RTL without upsetting his ARD paymasters, a fight between himself and Vitali Klitschko will happen. Huck is a huge favorite on German television and a bout between him and either of the Klitschko brothers would generate huge financial returns and fill a Bundesliga soccer stadium. 

If Huck gets his wish and fights either of the Klitschko's in 2012, he will be the fifth cruiserweight champion to fight one of the brothers in the last three years.

Former WBA/WBC cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck  is scheduled to take on Vladimir Klitschko this December. Last month Vitali ended the brave challenge of Poland's former IBF cruiserweight title holder Tomasz Adamek in the tenth round. 

Former undisputed cruiserweight champion David Haye was outpointed by Vladimir Klitschko in July of this year in a unification fight, which cost the Englishman his WBA heavyweight title belt. And finally, Cuba's Juan Carlos Gomez, the former WBC cruiserweight king was stopped in nine rounds by Vitali Klitschko in 2009. 

Huck is younger, stronger and more aggressive than all four of the Klitschko's previous cruiserweight challengers were when they moved up to heavyweight. In terms of skill and technique, he will never make people forget Sugar Ray Leonard, but he hits hard, even with arm punches and glancing blows. 

Huck is as rough as they come, lion hearted, and with a granite jaw. He sometimes reminds this writer of 50's heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano in his unconventional approach to the sweet-science. Like Rocky, Huck seems to do a lot of things wrong, yet he is so tough and determined, and hits so hard, he keeps winning. If he can get his weight up to around the 220 lb mark, but maintain his current level of fitness, the 6'2'' Huck could yet become a serious threat at heavyweight.