WBA MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

Felix Sturm © Reuters Images

Sturm escapes with a draw

Felix Sturm retained the WBA middleweight title when he drew with British challenger Martin Murray on Friday night.

After an exciting fight to the end in Mannheim, Germany, judge Jean-Francois Toupin handed in a score of 116-112 for the champion, Ted Gimza had it 115-113 for Murray and Pasquale Procopio ruled it even at 114-114.

"I had the clearer punches in a spectacular fight," said Sturm, who raised his arms after the final bell.

"It's very hard to understand. I didn't hide like a tortoise. I don't think that's enough to win a title."

Sturm, a German of Bosnian parentage, successfully defended his title for the 11th time, and said he hoped for a rematch against Murray.

"He was underestimated by many but not by us," Sturm's coach, Fritz Sdunek, said.

The 29-year-old Murray, the British, Commonwealth and intercontinental champion, shook Sturm in the eighth round, but the 32-year-old champion used his superior experience to recover.

The final bell may have saved Murray from getting knocked down, as Sturm delivered a flurry of punches in the last few seconds.

Murray, who is getting married on Tuesday, said the result meant he could at least hold his head high at his wedding.

"I won't be getting married a defeated man," he said.

Sturm improved his record to 36-2-2, with 15 knockouts. Murray retained his unbeaten record, which now stands at 23-0-1, with 10 knockouts.

Source:  www.supersport.com/boxing/international/news/111203/Sturm_escapes_with_a_draw

Martin Murray earns draw – and plenty of plaudits – in title challenge with Felix Sturm

MARTIN MURRAY’S world title challenge  to Felix Sturm ended in the frustration of a draw.

The St Helens man was given the bout by ringside judge Ted Gizma, 115-113 after 12 rounds at the SAP Arena last night, with official Jean-Francois Toupin handing it to the champion 116-112.

Judge Pascquale Procopio held the casting vote but was unable to separate the pair, scoring the contest 114-114.

Murray, though, will feel he had done sufficient to have ripped the WBA “Super” world middleweight crown from Sturm, and, given the notorious difficulty away fighters suffer in gaining points victories on German soil, the British title holder can have reason to be aggrieved.

The question marks that Murray did not belong at this level following just 23 contests have been firmly trampled on after he matched – and often bettered – the defending champion.

Murray’s performance was built on his refusal to back down or be intimidated by this long-ruling champion.

Though of little consolation today, Murray’s stock within world boxing will have soared.

The early stages of the fight were evenly matched, although Murray did well to keep his opponent at bay for the most part.

by  Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo

Source: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/boxing/2011/12/03/boxing-martin-murray-earns-draw-and-plenty-of-plaudits-in-title-challenge-with-felix-sturm-100252-29887348/