Live Blog: Sam Soliman vs. Felix Sturm
Aus-Boxing will have a live blog for round-by-round updates from Nordrhein-Westfalen, where Australia’s own Sam ‘King’ Soliman will attempt to dethrone reigning IBF middleweight champion Felix Sturm at König Palast in Germany.
Sturm, 35, has fought twice since his overturned loss to Soliman, scoring impressive stoppage wins over Predrag Radosevic and then Darren Barker, lifting the IBF middleweight title previously held by Daniel Geale in the process.
For Soliman, 40, this will be the first time the Australian challenges for a world title at his preferred weight, going 0-2 in prior world title attempts at super middleweight at the hands of Anthony Mundine. Soliman last saw action in December, dominating fellow Australian Les Sherrington before halting him in nine rounds.
Soliman vs. Sturm is scheduled to take place at roughly 7:00AM EST on Sunday June 1st. This time will vary depending on the length of the earlier fights.
Check out the live blog for the title fight below.
Sam Soliman (44-11, 18 KOs) UD 12 Felix Sturm (39-4-2, 18 KOs) – (118-110, 117-111 and 118-110)
12 Rounds, Middleweight – IBF middleweight title
Round 1:
No real exchanges made in round one, Soliman circling Sturm over and over keeping his distance early. Strum connects with a counter short left hook that wakes Soliman up. The ref. intervening as fighters closed in. Not much action early.
Round 2:
Round 2 much of the same, however Soliman using good foot work and angles. strum hasn’t thrown enough punches here. Soliman connects with a good straight right. Soliman 10-9
Round 3:
Soliman warned for grabbing behind the head by the ref. as the round progresses Sturm complains once again Soliman is warned again grabbing Sturm behind the head. Soliman risking a DQ if he continues as he is warned a third time at the end of the round. A lot of grabbing and holding. Sturm 10-9
Round 4:
Sturm is still waiting to counter and for Soliman to stop moving. Sturm is rarely throwing a punch here. Soliman work rate is great. Can Solimon keep this pace up? Soliman slips at the end of the round with cheers from the crowd. Soliman 10-9
Round 5:
Soliman too busy and too awkward and is starting to rough up Felix. Sturm looked a little shaken after a good exchange by Soliman. 10-9 Soliman
Round 6:
Again Soliman out working Sturm but in a closer round. Sturm is getting some punches in and then is just not doing anything. Soliman is more active. Sturm goes down with a slip at the end of the round. He looks frustrated and without answers. so,I an 10-9
Round 7:
Sturm has absolutely no answer for Soliman right now. He’s not throwing enough punches and hasn’t had luck timing Soliman at all. The round resembles a wrestling match. Soliman 10-9
Round 8:
Brilliant round from Soliman, controlling the tempo. Clear round to the Australian. 10-9 Soliman
Round 9:
Sturm landed some big power shots and rocked Soliman, he slowed Soliman up that round. Difficult round to score as neither really landed anything of significance. 10-9 Sturm
Round 10:
Soliman appears to be ahead at this point, as Sturm is struggling to tag him. Soliman crouching low in an awkward stance and is catching Sturm with the left hook coming in. 10-9 Soliman.
Round 11:
A better round for Sturm at this point. The crowd are on their feet as he hits Soliman with a counter when the Australian was coming in. It’s all on the line coming into the final round, we have Soliman up – but it’s very hard to tell in Germany. 10-9 Sturm.
Round 12:
Sturm lifted his work rate in the last as Soliman appeared to sit on his lead. Sturm landed his jab well from a distance, but again, struggled to time Soliman onto his right hand. He wins the last round as we wait for the judges scorecards. 10-9 Sturm.
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