STURM v ZBIK LIVE TONIGHT ON BOXNATION
A grudge of Groves-DeGale dimensions has been brewing over in Germany of late between world class middleweights Felix Sturm and Sebastian Zbik. And British fans shall be able to watch the rivalry unfurl this evening when the former puts his WBA Super title on the line against ex WBC ‘interim’ king Zbik at the Lanxess Arena, Cologne, live on BoxNation (Sky Ch.456, Virgin Ch. 546).
The principals were former teammates from the German amateur set-up and began their pro careers together under the Universum promotional umbrella. However Sturm departed acrimoniously to form his own promotional company and, in the build up to this evening’s dust-up, challenger Zbik has been threatening to ‘pulverize him’!
UK fans will be familiar with the defending champion following live coverage here of his two most recent gigs, when he controversially squeezed past British challengers Matt Macklin and Martin Murray (Both Brits give their assessments of how they envisage this fight panning out beneath). More seasoned viewers may recall watching Sturm ‘fitted up’ himself after seemingly outhustling Oscar De La Hoya over 12 in Las Vegas eight years ago.
Clearly the Leverkusen born, Cologne based champion is a fighter of pedigree. In the amateur code, he won gold medals at both the European Junior and European Senior tourneys (Birmingham 1997 and Tampere 2000) and competed at both the senior world championships and 2000 Sydney Olympics where his dream was ruined by no less than Jermain Taylor (USA).
As a pro, he has won bonafide world titles on three separate occasions. Within just 32 months of his January 2001 debut, he had eclipsed Argentina’s Hector Javier Velazco (pts 12) to pick up the WBO crown (which he was to concede to ‘The Golden Boy’). In March 2006, he added the WBA crown by decisioning Samoa’s Maselino Masoe over 12 only to surrender the belt with a tenth round kayo loss to Javier Castillejo in a huge upset.
Since avenging the Spaniard on points to regain that title in April 2007, the 5ft 11 ½ in Sturm has remained undefeated throughout 11 defences, all in the Fatherland. However, save for Sebastian Sylvester, Khoren Gevor and the two Brits, the opposition has been far from challenging. Now 33, it is probable that he has already seen his very best days.
Less is known of Zbik on these shores but he, too, is a quality operator. Born in Neubrandenburg but now based in Schwerin, the 30 year old was beaten in just 19 of 152 amateur starts and, in addition to several national titles at all ages, he picked up a bronze at welter in the 2002 European Senior Championships in Perm, Russia.
Five years after his July 2004 pro bow, the former military man collected his WBC interim strap by outscoring Italy’s Domenico Spada. A neat, skilful technician with just 13 quick wins on his 30-1 card, he successfully retained three times (all on points). Last June, however, he dropped both his title and unbeaten tag to Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr who edged past him on a 12 round majority at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. The German has been inactive since.
Despite Zbik’s threats of pulverization, viewers should expect a high grade, fast paced, technical match which should be tight and could swing either way. Despite entering his 34th year last January, Sturm showed against Macklin and Murray that he remains supremely fit and, given Zbik’s tendency to fade slightly after the turn, I’ll go with the champion to retain, possibly controversially, by decision.
Sturm v Zbik will be televised live tonight on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) in the ABA Finals show with coverage starting at 6.30pm.
BoxNation is the first dedicated subscription boxing TV channel in the UK to bring together the biggest names in amateur, domestic and international boxing with an unbeatable schedule of matches from across the globe.
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