Felix Sturm to Face Martin Murray on December 2

Felix Sturm's next opponent has been chosen, and it will be the Britain's Martin Murray getting the shot at the WBA middleweight title on Friday, December 2 in Germany. Murray tells The Sun that he's ready:

"I have been ready for this chance for about nine months, but I seemed to slip under the radar because everybody talks about Macklin and Barker as the main middleweights in Britain. ... Anyway, I am better fighter than Macklin and I will go one better than him in December."

Sturm (36-2-1, 15 KO) got a decision win over Matthew Macklin in his last fight on June 25 in Germany. Many were all outraged and up in arms, but I didn't think it was a one-sided Macklin fight at all. Sturm outlanded Murray, and for much of the fight landed cleaner blows, and by my eye, outpaced him over the second half. It was a terrific fight (which is lost in all the yelling about it), and a rematch was discussed to some extent. Macklin said the offer was too low, and signed with DiBella Entertainment recently.

Murray (23-0, 10 KO) isn't the greatest challenger in the world, but also not one of the worst opponents Sturm has faced in recent years. The 28-year-old hasn't faced anyone near Sturm's level, but 32-year-old Sturm does look to be slowing down just a bit. Someone is probably going to catch Felix at the right time, but I don't think it will be this fight, all due respect to Murray.