Marco Huck has his gloves put on for a training session on August 6 in Neuruppin, Germany. The long-reigning WBO cruiserweight beltholder is preparing for his title defense against Mirko Larghetti. Photo by Adam Berry/Bongarts/Getty Images

On Saturday Marco Huck will look to equal the title defense record for the cruiserweight division when he seeks to retain his WBO crown for the 13^th time against Mirko Larghetti.

The opportunity to match Johnny Nelson’s mark is something that “K├ñpt’n” Huck is eager to achieve.

“To defend my belt for the 13th time at just 29 years of age means a lot to me as I am not even in my prime,” Huck told RingTV.com. “The best is yet to come.”

Huck has held the WBO strap for five years and is in no mood to relinquish it anytime soon, firing off this broadside in the direction of his Italian challenger.

“Larghetti’s problem will be that I am physically much stronger than him,” he said. “So his braveness might be his downfall against me.”

The cruiserweight division is often maligned in America, however things could change in the near future.

Earlier this year Sauerland Event’s Kalle Sauerland and Huck met with HBO Sports President Ken Herschman. The intriguing conversation could lead to Huck fighting on the channel in the future.

While Huck leaves arranging fights to his promoters he would welcome the opportunity to fight in America.

“It would be an honor to be presented on HBO,” said Huck. “I think that I could make the cruiserweight division big in the U.S. – something no one was able to do yet.”

Here’s what Huck had to say when RingTV.com caught up with him at his training base in Germany in mid-August.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on facing Mirko Larghetti?
Marco Huck – It is like every title defense I prepare for, lots of intense sparring sessions and fine-tuning on my technique. It is just boxing in training camp – no interference by my family or friends. I have to focus on my job and that is winning.

AW – What are your thoughts on Larghetti as a fighter? What do you see as his strengths and areas of weakness?
MH – He’s more of a bully who tries to stalk you down and finally unleashes his punches when he has you cornered or on the ropes. If he meets someone who does not take a step back, he likes to bang. Larghetti’s problem will be that I am physically much stronger than him. So his braveness might be his downfall against me.

AW – The two of you were due to meet in late March however you fractured your thumb. Could you tell us how the injury happened, how long it took to rehabilitate and how it is now?
MH – The injury happened in sparring for the fight planned in March. I tried some new gloves which must have had some material error. Such things can happen and everything is fine now.

AW – If all goes well this will be your 13^th defense of your WBO cruiserweight title, which will equal the division record. Can you tell us about that and what it would mean to you?
MH – To defend my belt for the 13^th time at just 29 years of age means a lot to me as I am not even in my prime. The best is yet to come.

AW – Earlier this year you met Firat Arslan in a rematch. This time you stopped him in six rounds. Can you tell us about that fight?
MH – I beat him once, then twice. I warned him not to take this opportunity as I would destroy him – which I ultimately did in front of his hometown crowd. I would rate this fight as one of my finer performances but I do not know if it was my best yet.

AW – I believe a few months ago you and your team met with Ken Herschman from HBO with regards you fighting on that American channel. What can you tell us of the meeting and how things are looking going forward?
MH – My promoter handles everything which is related to television contracts so I cannot tell you the current state of negotiations. But it would be an honor to be presented on HBO. I think that I could make the cruiserweight division big in the US – something no one was able to do yet.

AW – What are your thoughts on the cruiserweight division?
MH – I am the best, that’s the main fact. When you are talking the cruiserweights, you see athletic, fast fights which could end in an instant. It is like a better version of the heavyweights.

AW – Many boxing fans would like to see you against (RING/IBF champ) Yoan Pablo Hernandez. The two of you share the same promoter and even the same trainer. However, it would appear to be the biggest fight for either of you at cruiserweight. Is this a fight that you could see happening?
MH – Yoan Pablo is a friend of mine. We’ve known each other for nearly a decade. So before even considering to fight him, I would go for other unification bouts. Even then, it would be a tough decision to make. It is a matchmaker’s dream, I know. But that’s the way it is.

AW – In 2012 you fought Alexander Povetkin up at heavyweight. You lost a majority decision though many believed you had done enough to win. Do you believe that you’ll fight at heavyweight again?
MH – Of course I will. If I would get the chance, I would rematch Povetkin tomorrow and knock him into next week.

AW – What goals do you still have in boxing?
MH – Breaking lots of records, unifying titles at cruiserweight, beating up on heavyweights and entertaining people.

AW – Who is your boxing hero?
MH – Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

AW – Do you have a message for Larghetti ahead of your fight with him?
MH – Which sauce is your favourite? I will bring it with me ringside as I will make spaghetti of you!

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright