TSS CLOSER LOOK-FELIX STURM

The Sweet Science
Wednesday Jul 2, 2008

Here’s Sturm landing on Pittman. Figh fans thought we had something
when we saw Felix impress against Oscar. He hasn’t capitalized on
that showing, but there is still time to make noise.

By Ronan Keenan

"The belt looks a little loose," shouted the photographer at the busy
boxing gym.

World titlists are no strangers to photo shoots, but it wasn’t Felix
Sturm’s WBA middleweight strap that needed adjustment, instead a
designer belt supporting his sharp pair of slacks and dress shirt
required tightening.

The man formerly known as Adnan Catic has a reputation for handling
himself with class inside and out of the ring. Whether modelling
business attire or out-boxing opponents, the German-based Bosnian
maintains a calm demeanour which has helped his image morph away from
that of the average prizefighter.

But in the last year, Sturm’s fighting style has taken a grittier edge,
with composure being substituted with traces of aggression.

The former economics student became a hit with the boxing media
after accepting a debatable 2004 points loss to Oscar De La Hoya with
admirable grace, but he has since lost much of his lustre as a steady
diet of soft opposition seemingly dulled his reflexes, leading to a
surprising stoppage defeat against a 38-year-old Javier Castillejo.

In a possible sign of desperation and a response to the chorus of boos
that highlighted his safety-first points victory over the unthreatening
Noe Gonzalez Alcoba last June, Sturm displayed uncharacteristic
recklessness in last October’s clash with Randy Griffin.

The nimble footwork and busy jab that earned Sturm the devalued WBA
title in a 2007 rematch with Castillejo [politics saw then-champion
Jermain Taylor stripped of the belt] was generally absent as Felix
sought to produce a crowd-pleasing performance in Halle, Germany.

Sturm’s lack of natural punching power and Griffin’s resiliency
resulted in a back-and-forth scrap that was appropriately declared
a draw. Sturm tagged the American with sharp uppercuts early in the
contest, but Griffin hardly took a backward step and gained control
as the fight wore on.

Sturm was unable to match Griffin for strength, but in the final two
rounds he dug deep to out-land the challenger and salvage a draw.

"Randy deserves (a return] and I need a rematch to prove something
to myself," admitted Sturm immediately after the result.

The rematch is scheduled to take place on Saturday in the original
venue and has been preceded by a compelling performance from Sturm.

Last April he bludgeoned the unbeaten but obscure Jamie Pittman
in seven rounds, blending swift movement with accurate two-fisted
assaults. Sturm, 29-2-1 (13), utilized a full range of punches to
dismantle the Australian. A straight right rocked Pittman in the
second; a body shot floored him in the fifth; a left hand-right
uppercut salvo sent him to the canvas in the sixth, and a full-scale
barrage saw the referee stop the contest in the seventh.

It was undoubtedly Sturm’s most impressive display as he finally
managed to combine his tight, practical boxing skills with hurtful
power-shots. But dazzling against the likes of Pittman figures to be
a different proposition to tangling with Grffin again.

"I feel I won the fight (last October]. It was close but I deserved
the decision," claims Griffin. "Every time he touched me the crowd
went crazy. But I’ve no problem going back (to Germany). I felt at
home there."

The Philadelphia native has built up a 24-1-3 (12) record to little
fanfare stateside, so it is unsurprising that he would welcome a return
with Sturm in front of a 12,000 crowd at the Gerry Weber Stadion.

Underscored by a points win over former titlist Maselino Masoe and
draws with Yusaf Mack and James Obede Toney, Griffin’s résumé
suggests he belongs well below elite class, so why could Sturm only
manage a draw with the American?

Wrote Graham Houston following the fight: "I wonder if [Sturm] has
peaked at the age of 29. He was hard-pressed to earn a draw with
Griffin, a good but unremarkable challenger."

Sturm’s ambition in boxing is unclear. He has shown no interest in
fighting outside Germany and the proposed mega European showdown
with Arthur Abraham is unlikely to transpire since the Armenian seems
intent on fighting in the U.S.

Moreover, Sturm has plenty of interests away from the ring to keep
him busy, whether it’s upscale photo shoots or hitting the books.

"I do many things," he reveals. "I like basketball very much. I like
water polo, what a hard sport it is; often underestimated from the
outside. I drive go-karts, I play table tennis and I play a lot of
chess. Besides, I still have my studies."

Maybe the well-rounded showing against Pittman was a sign that Sturm
is willing to add to his repertoire, or just an illusion involving a
quality fighter beating up an overmatched novice. Regardless, Sturm
will need a stirring performance against Griffin to assuage those
who doubt his desire.

"My motivation couldn’t be greater," he says. "I’m fighting for my
team and my large family. Becoming a world champion is easier than
always having to defend it against hungry challengers.

"I learn from my mistakes."

–Boundary_(ID_qp8KEacj4px6WafTTY qzbw)–
From: Baghdasarian