Felix Sturm vs Sebastian Zbik Set For April 13, Andy Lee Back to the Drawing Board

by Scott Christ on Feb 3, 2012 5:00 PM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Sebastian Zbik will get a chance to win another title on April 13 against Felix Sturm. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Felix Sturm has found his opponent for his next fight in Germany on April 13. Sturm will defend his WBA middleweight title against countryman Sebastian Zbik, choosing Zbik over Andy Lee, who was rumored to be closing in on a deal to face Sturm.

Sturm (36-2-2, 15 KO) had three fights in 2011, going 2-0-1 on the year with a pair of very good fights, both controversial. In February 2011, he easily disposed of non-contender Ronald Hearns in a predictable fight that saw the son of legendary Thomas Hearns overwhelmed and grossly overmatched.

In June, Sturm escaped a great fight against Matthew Macklin with a close points win, and in December, he had a very entertaining draw with another Brit middleweight, Martin Murray.

Zbik (30-1, 10 KO) suffered the first loss of his pro career in his only fight last year, dropping a close points decision to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June. That ended Zbik's short and bogus reign as the WBC's middleweight titleholder, an honor bestowed upon him when the sanctioning body ridiculously stripped Sergio Martinez, then made some kind of devil's pact with HBO and Top Rank to put the strap on Chavez without Junior having to face Sergio.

As for Andy Lee, he was recently scheduled for the March 17 card in New York headlined by Martinez vs Macklin, and was going to be in the TV co-feature. He was televised twice last year on Martinez undercards, defeating Craig McEwan in a slugfest in March, and then topping Brian Vera in October.

Promoter Lou DiBella, who made Lee available for the Sturm fight, said he's not upset or surprised by Sturm's decision:

"They were very straight with me and told me all along that Andy was one of two fighters in contention for the fight, and I had a feeling that Zbik was getting it, so it doesn't surprise me. Now Andy will probably have a keep-busy fight in the interim, while we look for other opportunities."

Lee (27-1, 19 KO) could very well face the winner of Martinez vs Macklin, as all are promoted by DiBella and Lee is chomping at the bit for a big fight. That would be the easiest one to make.

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What a completely shocking decision from Sturm. The thing I’m most worried about is that there’s now actually a chance that we could at some point see Chavez-Zbik II in a unification fight.

by bachwards on Feb 3, 2012 5:08 PM EST reply actions

Never minding that title-crap, I found Zbik – chavez to be a quite entertaining fight (though with the wrong decision at the end). And I’m sure Sturm – Zbik will make for a good fight, too. Both are going at it with solid skills in most categories (except power) and a solid heart.

"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter

by DrHenrik on Feb 3, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

I probably shouldn’t get too annoyed by this; Zbik probably makes for a bigger fight in Germany than Lee anyway. It’s just so typical Sturm to be giving interviews about loving a fight with Andy Lee (or any of the beltholders in the division for that matter) while ultimately choosing to take on the weaker opponent.

by bachwards on Feb 3, 2012 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, that used to be the pattern. Murray and Macklin were worthy opponents, though. And Zbik’s no crap either. There certainly could be better opponents, but there’s a big choice of worse opponents, too. And sure, there’s money in this fight (although Zbik is not really a star here in Germany).

"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter

by DrHenrik on Feb 3, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions