Recap of Feliz Sturm vs. Sebastian Zbik
By: UK Boxing Writer Jon Campbell
Felix Sturm defended his WBA Middleweight title in Germany tonight when Sebastian Zbik’s corner pulled him out in the tenth round. Although the fight was clearly going Sturm’s way both in the ring and on the scorecards I find it quite disappointing that the fight was stopped. Firstly because Zbik was in no danger whatsoever of being hurt or even put down and showed little signs of giving up whilst in the ring. Secondly because it was not the case that Sturm was completely dominating the fight in a Calzaghe-Lacy style, he just simply matched Zbik’s style well and maintained the correct amount of pressure to keep Zbik off-balance. Thirdly, in stopping the fight it somewhat promotes a precedent allowing trainers and fighters to pull out simply because a fight is not going their way, when boxers should be encouraged to continue and attempt to win the fight, unless they are in danger of course.
If you read my preview you will see my prediction was incorrect as I had Zbik beating Sturm to a points decision. what I did correctly predict was that the fight would be a skillful contest and a chess match. Zbik was only really ever in the fight in the first three rounds were he appeared to be defensively savvy in slipping and blocking Sturm’s jab. He also come back with good, quick flurries of punches which seemed to trouble Sturm. This success was short-lived however as from the fourth round onwards I had Sturm winning the remainder of rounds at least by a small margain.This came for two main reasons. Firstly Sturm had adapted slightly to Zbik’s style and was landing with the jab more convincingly, whilst applying controlled aggression in order to keep Zbik on the back foot. Also because Zbik, despite boxing reasonably well, simply was not busy enough to claim any of the rounds. Even were he was busy he was not landing the clean blows required for the scorecards to be turned in his favor.
Moving on from this, Zbik did not give his best attempt at a second world title but that being said, he did not box terribly at all and I am sure he will return to the top level if not soon then after a couple of tune-up fights. For Sturm the path continues, he has defended his title numerous times and now against a decent fighter in Zbik who was a good test of his ability. Now considering the length of time Sturm has held the title it is a case of getting Sturm to fight another title holder in an attempt to unify multiple belts.I personally would not see no gain in continuing to defend his title in the manner he has over the past few years and would put in on the line in a fight were he has considerable gains should he win in return for a larger risk,as his career will not last forever.
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