Felix Sturm vs Sebastian Zbik - WBA Middleweight Title
For 2 rounds last night fans and press alike were probably thinking that this was the end of Felix Sturm's reign. The champions 2 previous fights have been highly controversial as the German struggled to a debated points win and draw over British duo Macklin and Murray. The challenger Zbik started very fast throwing a hell of alot of punches , the one-two in particular. Sturm couldn't keep up with him and i thought that recent close shaves was actually the champion continuing his fall from grace.
Ring the bell for the 3rd round and the fight changed. The JAB , short fast and hard. This was to be the weapon that won the fight for the long time champion Sturm. As i said he turned back time - that's how good Sturm was last night against a guy who took WBC boss Chavez Jnr to a very close points decision. To his credit the challenger Zbik still kept his work rate high , but he was being constantly caught with that jab and some nice short uppercuts as the fight wore on.
The Referee Caiz Snr , was he even there?? this fight was fought at close quarters last night and the Referee i think only broke them a few times. There has been a complaint lately in recent fights that there is too much holding on the inside. Sturm and Zbik deserve great credit in what was a very entertaining fight. Caiz Snr because of his style of letting the fighters fight on the inside i think should be put forward for the Peterson vs Khan rematch although i hear Joe Cortez is getting the shout.
As the fight wore on the gap in the 2 fighters class was beginning to tell. I did a round by round on Twitter and i posted that i felt there could be a late stoppage as Sturm was pushing his countryman back and landing some vicious body shots along with those sharp uppercuts. Zbiks face was marked up quite badly now and i think the decision to quit on his stool after the 9th round was the right call. Zbik must have been a mile behind on points and with having very little power , he wasn't going to get the knockout. Sturm was sensational though , hopefully there can be big matches vs Chavez Jnr or Martinez made before the German hangs up his gloves. Hes 33 and must only have a few fights left in him BUT if they are anything like last night than the above mentioned Chavez Jnr and Martinez are in for a very tough night.
Fightscorecollectors Scorecard
Round 1.... 10-9 Zbik
Round 2.... 10-9 Zbik
Round 3.... 10-9 Sturm
Round 4.... 10-9 Sturm
Round 5.... 10-9 Sturm
Round 6.... 10-9 Sturm
Round 7.... 10-9 Sturm
Round 8.... 10-9 Sturm
Round 9.... 10-9 Sturm
TOTAL : Sturm 88-83 Zbik
FELIX STURM WINS BY TKO AT THE END OF THE 9TH ROUND
Boxing Sites , Press and Fans Scores
ESPN (Dan Rafael) - 88-83 Sturm
BoxingTruth Radio - (John Chavez) - 88-83 Sturm
BoxingScene - (Terry Dooley) - 88-83 Sturm
Doghouseboxing - (Gabriel Montoya) - 88-83 Sturm
Boxnation TV - (Steve Lillis) - 87-84 Sturm
Fightnews.com - 88-83 Sturm
Boxingscene - (Alexy Sukachev) - 88-83 Sturm
BoxingTribune - 88-83 Sturm
Onthebeak.com - (Petra Kirsch) - 88-83 Sturm
Boxrec Fans - (all for Sturm) - 88-83 X4 , 88-84 , 87-84
Eastsideboxing Fans - (all for Sturm) - 89-82 , 87-84 , 86-85 , 88-84
Boxingscene Fans - (all for Sturm) - 88-83 X4 , 87-84
Ringnews24 Fans - 88-83 Sturm
BoxingAsylum - (all for Sturm) - 88-83
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