Macklin-Sturm: Macklin promised a rematch by Sturm after controversial decision loss

By Boxing News - 06/26/2011 - Comments

Image: Macklin-Sturm: Macklin promised a rematch by Sturm after controversial decision lossBy Peter Wells: Well first of all I’d like to start on a bright note, as Matthew Macklin and Felix Sturm gave us a great 12 rounds of boxing which was truly an honour to watch. It was a champions performance from Macklin and when the final bell went it looked certain that he’d done it, he’d prove all the critics wrong and he was to get a heroes welcome when he returned home. But then the scores came through and the controversy started.

115-113 Macklin sounded about right but then came the 116-112’s for Sturm. Before the fight I’d said that Macklin may never get a shot at a title again. As far as i know Felix Sturm is happy to fight in a rematch later this year. But what if things don’t go to plan next time, it was a gruelling fight which could have taken a lot out of Matthew.

Germany is gradually getting a poorer reputation all the time in the fight game and this decision hasn’t helped it. Macklin was doing all the work for the first 7 or 8 rounds and even when Sturm was able to let go of a few jabs they never lived up to Macklins punch output. In the final quarter Sturm took over and finished like a warrior but with all the rounds Macklin had racked up it was never enough from Sturm. It almost seems as if the fighter who lands the best jabs wins the round, as Macklin was going from head to body landing uppercuts, hooks and they were starting to get through especially those body shots. Sturm occasionally threw a jab or a right hook in those first 7 rounds, so only giving 4 rounds to Macklin is a disgrace.

Sturm did show a champions heart the way he ended but didn’t have the performance of a champion. Macklin though can walk with his head held high, but if he’s to have a rematch, don’t fight in Germany.

Macklin stated after the fight, “Even the German TV had me winning by four rounds. I won the fight by at least three rounds, no doubt. I thought I strolled the first six or seven.” Then added in the nicest way he could, “I don’t want to sound bad but next time I will smash him to pieces. I won’t leave anything to chance and he won’t be able to rob me, no chance.”

Felix promised Macklin a rematch saying, “I made a mistake at the start and allowed him too much space. We’ll see each other again soon.” Let’s hope he sticks to his guns.



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