Sturm will beat him as he is simply a better boxer. Macklin needs to get in there and check his chin, but I am not sure that Macklin is as good a fighter as even an ancient Javier Castillejo.
I'm praying more than anything really. Sturm is very good. Sturm looked impressive in his last fight, albeit against poor opposition, but he is definitely a better all rounder than Macklin. It's a case off whether Matthew can Knock him out.
If Macklin can avoid getting drawn into a Sturm kinda fight early, he stands a good chance of winning.
Sturms kind of fight does not actually involve any fighting. It's like saying celibacy is a sexual position. It's not. It in fact involves no sex at all. Sturm is the Anti-Fighter. Sturm is to fighting what virginity is to porn.
This is what I have been talking about before- its what happens when people who know nothing about boxing, and who won't do any research, are allowed to write boxing articles. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/13907777.stm "Macklin has been marked out since his professional debut in 2001 as one of British boxing's brightest prospects but he has not progressed as quickly or as far as he or his supporters would have hoped. In 2003, when the hype had been heightened by 10 straight wins, Macklin dropped a poor points decision to domestic rival Andrew Facey. Then, this time hampered by weight-making problems, he was dragged into a war by Jamie Moore and lost his British light-middleweight title bid by 10th-round knockout" **************** Total horseshit. Macklin initiated that war. He wasn't "drawn into" anything. He expended a tonne of energy in his dressing room and initiated the action all night. He winged shots from all angles until he eventually punched himself out. Furthermore, if I recall correctly, it was MOORE who was Champion that night and NOT Macklin. :wack: <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DFrENg7erZ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9K4MPqRA9ww" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Look how FATTON Ricky is in the 2nd video :doh: :doh: That little fat shit was the REIGNING 140lb CHAMP at the time. :doh:
Sturm is the very essence of a pure boxer. He doesn't have a great D or do anything particularly well, but he has improved his strength over the years and has learned not to stand still for too long and get nailed like he did by Javier Castillejo. He has also fought a higher standard of opponent than Macklin. I will be rooting for Macklin to wade in there and take this guys heart and chin but all things considered, I would be very surprised if Macklin doesn't get shined.
Macklin showing pressure and volume, but Sturm showing the smarter stuff. I gave him the 4th off the quality work he has been doing.
There is a red welt on the body of Sturm from Macklins body shots. I just feel that Sturm is sneaking the rounds on quality stuff but there is no undoing the effect of Macklins workrate- on either man. Probably 5th round to Sturm but its a question of who do you fancy, Sturms quality or Macklins volume and pressure. EDIT: Sturm looked really tired at the end of the 5th. Cheers of "Ole Ole" coming from the crowd. Sturm looks tired.
Sixth Round Sturm breathing heavily. When Sturm leads he stops Macklin with the jab, when Macklin leads it is with short heavy shots, up the head, down to the ribs. Macklin now trying to feint his way in. Sturm showing the single quality shots and Macklin again showing the volume and the grinding physicality. Close round.
Sturm might have won the 7th on snappier flashier punching. Hard to say. Macklin is landing a lot of clean but clubbing, mauling leather.
Its a good fight because Macklin won't let Sturm fight his fight...........but its not as wide as British commentary say it is.
Macklin has let Sturm back into it in the 8th.....giving Sturm room to land his jab and looking far too agrarian in his own output and workrate. 8th round, definitely a Sturm round. No question. Macklin is tired, its not solely a question of him taking a round off, as he is vocalizing as he throws shots.
Macklins people trying to encourage him between rounds- thats what Sturms were at a few rounds back. Round 9 Sky had Macklin 57-55 up after 8 completed rounds. Sturm is now showing the jab and working harder. Really digging the shots in as Macklin comes back with shots to the gut and ribs. Macklin pushing his punches now with tiredness as Sturm snaps his head back with jabs. Macklin not showing enough head-movement. Macklin shows two nice lefts to the ribs which definitely got Sturms attention. Macklin ups the intensity for the last 40 seconds. Sturms round, Sky give it to Macklin making Macklin 3 up with 3 rounds left. No mistake about it, it is nowhere near that wide.
Round 10. Mackins to lose, Say Sky The start of the last few rounds have seen Sturm find range and space, and with it, the chance to tee off with accurate, fast straight shots. He does likewise in the 10th. Sturm showing the classier work. Macklin comes forward throwing hooks but its either blocked or too light to cause any damage. Sturm again shows the quality work. Macklin tries to rally and steal the round. STURM HURT TO THE BODY!!!!!! STURM COMES BACK WITH AN UPPERCUT AND CROSS!!! Sturms round.
Round 11. Sturm looks far more comfortable now in his corner, in contrast to Macklin. Sturm now turning up the pace with straight sharp shots. I still think Macklin can turn this with body shots. He comes back with the straight shots answering Macklins pressure and combinations. Macklin shows volume and is landing but if you had to give the round it would be to Sturm, who has been sharper.
I think Macklin needs to win the 12th. His corner tell him to remain composed when he comes out and take the shots on the arms, and then launch a body attack. Sound advice. Sky have Macklin 1 point up coming into the 12th. 12th Round. Last round. Sturm dominates the opening minute with sharp shots including an uppercut which is hurting but not bucking Macklin. Macklin applies more pressure- his best defence is to keep pressure on. Sturms mouth is bloody. Macklin too tired to apply the pressure like he needs to. Sturm boxes, Macklin slugs. STURM LIGHTS MACKLIN UP WITH COMBOS AND FINISHES STRONG. 12th round Sturm. Great fight, I think Sturm will get the nod. Sky accusing Germany of favours already. Give it a rest. Sturm deserves it, Macklin deserves it.
Sky's behaviour is an outrage. This was not a Sven Ottke performance. It seems Spurm stood and fought and with no small degree of quality and finesse- no need for this talk of "not getting the decision" already. Sturm won the 8th-12th more than Macklin did. I think Sturm has this by 2 or 3 points, really.
Just cos he's Irish doesn't mean he's a builder :nono: Here we go 115-113 Macklin 116-112 Sturm 116-112 WINNER, SPLIT DEC: STILL THE CHAMP, STURM. NEVER FIGHT IN GERMANY :wack:
Woodhall and Nelson next. That should be fun. Ironically, Nelson got a decision against a German based guy called Petkovic in Cruiserweight title fight in Germany years ago. I wonder will he remember that.