Muamer Hukić was eight years old when he arrived in Germany. He and his family had fled their Serbian homeland for a new life. Almost twenty years later, Muamer – now known as Marco Huck – is living the life he had always dreamed of. The adopted German, easily one of the most exciting fighters in the sport of boxing, has been a Champion for over three years now. In that time he has competed in an incredible eleven world title fights. Boxingasylum's M. Burke recently caught up with the ‘Käpt'n’ in Belgrade and had the chance to sit down and chat with him.
Belgrade, December 27 – Marco Huck has returned to the country of his birth. He is here to speak to the media and let them get to know more about him and his future plans. In the ring he is obviously a very tough man who likes to fight, but, away from the ring, Marco is very polite, has a good sense of humour and comes across as a thoroughly decent young man.
"I left Serbia when I was eight years old," Huck, speaking in his native Serbian language, tells this magazine . "It was tough in a new country. I didn't speak the language and I needed to find ways to prove myself. It was hard in school but I trained, and when I was around twelve or thirteen years of age I became the strongest one there.
"I never asked for fights but always defended weaker kids when stronger ones wanted to fight them. That's why everyone liked me.
"The first grade in Serbia," he says while laughing as he thinks back to his childhood. "My palms are still hot from where I was slapped."
The Käpt'n
Marco Huck
Why the name Marco Huck, we ask. "When I got my first professional contract they changed my name to Marco. It's difficult for them [Germans] to pronounce Muamer. It just isn't a common name for them like it is for us. Huck is just shortened from Hukić.
"My friends still call me Muamer and that's the name I have on my passport and other documents."
Huck then reveals that he misses his homeland.
"I miss Serbia. I miss these parts. Germany has given me a lot. I don't think I could have became a Champion if I stayed in Serbia. We don't have the conditions to create Champions.
"I would really love to fight in Serbia; preferably in Belgrade. It's not impossible. I know there is no money in Serbia but all I have to do is be able to talk German TV into it and it can be done. I think I can do that.
"I love Germany but they are different to us. Somehow colder. We are a fiery nation and that is what I really miss. The call to come back home is getting stronger and stronger."
What about his folks. Are they happy with him?
"Yes, I am a good son. I respect my parents. I respect my elders. I am a father now and I want to give my son what my parents gave me."
We then change the subject to his most recent fights, both tough, and very close affairs with Ola Afolabi and Firat Arslan.
"I fought Afolabi three months after facing Povetkin. I beat him, clear as day, but they gave it to him because of politics. It's no secret and that's what they told me. Against Afolabi I was tired and, to be honest, lacked motivation
10 the nuthouse