Ken Huber has never felt so dominant, so in control.
A mere three weeks after a convincing unanimous decision defence of his British Columbia Combsport cruiserweight title, the Kamloops-based amateur boxer by way of 100 Mile House stepped up a division and into the ring in Langley on April 10 for a shot at the association's vacant heavyweight belt. Huber scored a second round knockout against “Big” Bob Larson of Fernie, one of the province's top contenders.
It was an ascendant performance by the dedicated fighter known as “Heavy Hands” Huber, the 31-year-old's first stoppage in four years.
“What a good fight,” says an elated Huber the morning after the bout. “He came out strong. He was a big guy, 6 foot 4, 220 pounds. But he couldn't handle my power.”
Huber was on a mission that night inside the ballroom at the Coast Hotel, in control from the opening bell. The referee gave Larson a standing eight count late in the first round and another one early in the second.
Huber ended it in the final seconds of Round 2.
“I pushed him up against the ropes, threw a [right] cross, threw a left hook to the body, got his hand down, came overtop with the left hook to the head and just put him out. It was something we've been working on in the gym a lot. It felt awesome to finally put that together in the ring.”
Combsport president Dave Allison is emphatic when he describes Huber's downing of Larson as an impressive and unexpected finish. Knowing Larson's history as a tough and durable fighter, Allison expected the bout to go the distance. He says Huber made a statement with the knockout, and it's going to be hard to get him local fights now because of it.
“There was no reason to expect Ken was going to do what he did,” says Allison.“It wasn't an iffy stop or a call or a cut or some little thing. This was a flat-out, straight-up, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang, the guy is gone. There are not a whole lot of guys around that weight that are going to be willing to step in [with Huber now].”
Historically in boxing, the jump from cruiserweight to heavyweight has always been a real tough one to make, Allison adds.
“It's something that isn't tried as often [as in lower weight categories], and it isn't succeeded as often.”
Huber won B.C. fighter of the year in 2013. So far, his 2015 campaign is looking pretty hot too. Huber successfully defended for the fifth time his cruiserweight title against Surrey's Aaron Downey on Vancouver Island on March 21. Huber bulked up some and tipped the scales at 206 pounds in Langley to face Larson. But he can comfortably make the cruiserweight limit of 195 again to defend that title too going forward.
Huber's got two belts now, and a big target on his back. But he's game to fight whoever steps up.
“It's all still surreal. I'm on top of the world. I've put my head down, my butt up in the gym, made a lot of sacrifices outside of the gym, and it's paying off. This kind of sport, you have to dedicate yourself. I've sacrificed a lot and I've dedicated myself 100 per cent and it's showing.”
Huber is considering a pro debut in the near future. Meanwhile, promoters are trying to find him an opponent for the “Rumble at the Rink” card in Nanaimo on May 23.
But as Allison mentioned, that isn't a sure or easy thing.
“Maybe the pros is going to be the next step [for Huber]. Or if we can get some international [opponent].”
Whatever finally does come Huber's way, it seems he's at the top of his game to face it.
He thanks fans, friends and family for supporting him and making his dream a reality.
“It makes a huge difference when people believe in you.”