OnThEGRiND BOXiNG

Saturday, April 25th 2009
by Nino Celic - OtG Europe

In front of a sold out crowd in Krefeld, Germany WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm defended his title for the sixth time in an uncompetitive fight.

Like anticipated before, Sato proved to be an unworthy challenger, finding himself to be completely outclassed by an opponent who was two classes above. From the first round on Sturm landed his best punch, the jab, at will. In round three Sato’s face was already marked, his right eye beginning to close. Sato showed very bad reflexes and footwork, throwing occasional flurries which were easily absorbed by Sturm’s tight guard. Sturm only threw one or two straight rights per round (which found their target every time), being very conservative with his punches. From round five on Sato started to look discouraged, bleeding from his mouth and almost not being able to see with his right eye. In round seven Sturm landed a good left hook which stunned Sato, later in the round he landed an overhand right that drove Sato back into the ropes. The Japanese fighter was visibly hurt, dropping his hands. Sturm landed one more jab, referee Luis Pabon had finally seen enough and stopped the fight. The stoppage was accurate, Sato’s corner was going to throw the towel anyway.

You’d think that Sturm couldn’t get away which such a choice of opponents, but the German crowd absolutely loved it! Instead of pointing out how bad the opponent was, the German commentator only talked about how good Sturm looked. So expect this German belt hostage situation to go on for a little while. Felix Sturm will be fighting again on July 11 in Nürnberg, the question is who will be his opponent for his mandatory fight? Arthur Abraham and Anthony Mundine both have scheduled fights, so it could be Sebastian Zbik or Mariano Carrera. Hardly exciting – but it can’t get worse than Koji Sato…

Earlier this evening Hungarian WBO super middleweight champion Karoly Balzsay defeated seasoned veteran and former middleweight titleholder Maselino Masoe. Masoe came out aggressive in the first thirty seconds of each round but only seldom had success. Balzsay controlled the rest of the rounds with his superior speed and movement. Masoe also had huge problems with Balzsay’s southpaw stance, often getting hit with straight lefts. When Balzsay had success with his punches he pinned Masoe against the ropes to unleash quick combinations. Masoe seemed to take the punches well until he got hit by a straight left and a right hook in the 11 round. Being in no condition to continue the referee stopped the fight.

Balzsay is a talented boxer/puncher with great movement and fast hands, but it’s up to his management whether he will become another paper champion like Erdei or Sturm. Although the skills are there, it’s too early for him to fight the top guys of the division: Bute, Kessler, Andrade or Froch/Taylor. After all it was only his 21 professional fight, so give the kid some time…