By Vadim Pushkin

Last Saturday night in Hannover, Germany, IBO Cruiserweight World Champion Marco Huck (40-3-1, 27KOs) made the first defense of his belt with a twelve round unanimous decision over Dmytro Kucher (24-2-1, 18KOs). The scores were 117-111, 119-109 and 117-111.

After the contest, it was revealed that Huck had suffered an injury to his right hand in the first half of the fight. Huck has now undergone an operation and will require at least a six week break from applying any force to the are.

He says the injury took place in the fourth, when he fractured his small finger whille landing a punch.

Probably in January, Huck can once again resume training. In a first diagnosis with his doctor, a four-month layoff was feared.

"I'd like to lose as little time as possible before my next fight," Huck said.

Huck fought the bout in his usual style of quick bursts, while Kucher was coming forward looking to land his big punches. Huck had Kucher in serious trouble during the eight round. Kucher barely escaped as Huck was punishing him with heavy punches for most of the three minutes. Kucher right eye was nearly shut by the tenth and he was tired while having problems with his vision.

Kucher was last in the ring back in June, when he blasted out and retired Enzo Maccarinelli with a one round drilling.

Huck picked up the IBO belt back in February when he stopped Ola Afolabi in the tenth round of their fourth fight.