Sam Soliman on Felix Sturm – “I am confident I can beat him again”

 
AUSTRALIA’s Sam Soliman is confident he can make it two for two in his quest to take the IBF World Middleweight championship belt from Germany’s Felix Sturm on May 31 (7am on June 1st AEST).

 
“I’ve beaten Sturm once, and I am confident I can beat him again, so all the pressure is on him,” Soliman said. “Everything has gone right in my build up for this fight. I’m in the best shape of my life, and after 23 years of blood, sweat, and tears, I’m ready.”

 
“I’ve fine-tuned my preparation these past few weeks sparring with Danish and Norwegian champions, who are quality boxers in their own right.” Soliman continued. “Last time we met I landed 225 punches to Sturm’s 98. I learnt a lot from that fight. I know Sturm is going to come out hard, and I’m going to be ready.”

 
“Whatever Team Sturm throws at me outside of the ring, I plan to return inside the ring.”

 
Soliman’s Manager David Stanley dismisses Team Sturm’s attempts to smear Soliman.

 
“Felix Sturm was offered a chance to participate in Olympic style out-of-competition drug testing during the training camps leading up to the fight. The testing would have been supervised by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). Team Sturm turned us down, and insisted that they would only allow their fighter to be tested after the fight. What’s their problem?”

 
“Team Sturm know that we will not respond to their taunts because our case is currently in front of the District Court Kiel. This shows just how desperate they are to shift the focus away from the fact that last time they met, Sam Soliman gave Felix Sturm a boxing lesson.”
 
“The claim from Sturm Box Promotion in the invitation to the todays press conference that Sam Soliman was “convicted of doping” by the BDB last year is only half of the story”, Stanley said.

 
“The truth is that the BDB-decision from last year is currently subject of a proceeding pending before District Court (Landgericht) in Kiel. Team Soliman is convinced that the BDB-decision is unlawful and that the civil court in Kiel will confirm this. We expect a decision during the course of this year.”

 
Soliman is represented by an international team of sports-law experts: Michael Bates Esq. Melbourne, Kurt Emhoff, Brooklyn, New York, and Prof. Dr. Rainer Cherkeh, Hanover, Germany.

 
Words: Press Release