Marco Huck had a decision to make: Remain at heavyweight after an impressive but controversial loss in his debut in the weight class or return to cruiserweight to continue to defend his world title.

Under deadline pressure, Huck made the call on Thursday, electing to return to cruiserweight.

Germany's Huck moved up to heavyweight on Feb. 25 to challenge titlist Alexander Povetkin of Russia and gave him all kinds of problems. He staggered him multiple times and landed his overhand right nearly at will. However, the judges awarded Povetkin a majority decision that many believed Huck rightfully deserved.

After the fight, Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) had 10 days to inform the WBO about his intentions regarding his title. He got a brief extension and after talking with promoter Wilfried Sauerland, trainer Ulli Wegner and Chris Meyer and Hagen Doering of Sauerland Event, Huck made the decision to continue at cruiserweight, where he has made eight title defenses since winning the belt in 2009.

Huck's next fight will come against interim titleholder Ola Afolabi, who knocked out Valery Brudov in the fifth round to claim the vacant interim belt on last Saturday's Wladimir Klitschko-Jean-Marc Mormeck undercard. Had Huck stayed at heavyweight, Afolabi would have become the full titlist.

"I would have loved to remain at heavyweight but my team convinced me to stay at cruiserweight for the time being," Huck said. "That's fine for me. I am happy to continue my domination and keep destroying opponents. I will start with Afolabi. He is a dangerous fighter but he has no chance against me."

In Huck's first title defense in December 2009, he narrowly outpointed Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs), who has won all five of his fights since.

A Povetkin-Huck rematch remains a possibility down the road. Povetkin is next due to face former champion Hasim Rahman in a mandatory title defense. Sauerland said that means the earliest date for a potential Povetkin-Huck rematch would not be until the fall, which means Huck could face Afolabi, 31, and then return to heavyweight.

"We believe that defending his WBO cruiserweight title is the best thing for Marco to do," Sauerland said. "At the age of 27 he is still very young for a boxer. He can always move up to heavyweight later."

Sauerland said he is in talks with Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, which promotes Afolabi, about a fight with Huck.