Felix Sturm has missed the chance to win his sixth world title. The fighter from Leverkusen loses on points against Hungarian Istvan Szili – and complains about the referee.
Former boxing world champion Felix Sturm has missed the chance to win his sixth world title and is facing the end of his career.
The 43-year-old from Leverkusen lost the elimination fight of the smaller IBO federation against the Hungarian Istvan Szili on points in Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle on Sunday night. So there will be no title fight against the British Lerrone Richards, the IBO champion in the super middleweight division.
“Tough fight, unfortunately also very messy. But the referee let it all go,” Sturm showed his disappointment afterwards on Bild TV. “You could see that he always came with his head forward. The referee said that was unintentional. “
In the third round Szili had given the German a cut on his eye, which subsequently bled profusely. “Unfortunately a cut happened, I’m sorry about that, I apologise,” said the Hungarian, who concluded, “I dominated the whole fight. “
Felix Sturm’s last fight?
The sixth defeat in his 52nd professional fight may now also have been the last in a long and successful career that Sturm has recently revived. He had returned at the end of 2020 after a nearly five-year break from the ring, winning two fights before the clash with Szili.
Prior to that, Sturm, who had spent more than eight months in pre-trial detention in 2019, had been sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion, violation of the anti-doping law and assault in April 2020. That had been reduced to two years and four months at the end of the previous year.
+++ Storm is defeated +++
And so it goes: Felix Sturm loses on points against the Hungarian Istvan Szili.
+++ Szili cheers +++
Ten seconds left on the clock and Szili is already throwing his arms up in jubilation. The Hungarian knows that he will win on points here by a clear margin.
+++ Last round begins +++
The last round has begun. Sturm needs the early victory. On points, the opponent from Hungary is clearly in the lead here, and he won’t let up.
+++ Szili wants the knockout +++
The Hungarian is not letting up here, not even in round ten. He marches on ceaselessly, always putting Sturm on the defensive.
+++ Szili wobbles briefly +++
Szili once again pushes Sturm into the corner of the ring – and concedes a hook. Very briefly, the Hungarian falters. It’s on to round nine.
+++ Sturm continues to bleed +++
Once again the fight has to be interrupted. Sturm has too much blood on his face again. Szili is visibly not pleased by the short break.
+++ Seventh round begins +++
Half time in the ring. The first six rounds are history. Sturm may have to come up with something new, so far his plan isn’t really working and he is increasingly on the defensive.
+++ Cover is in place +++
The cover of Szili still stands very well. The Hungarians are marching and make an overall more stable impression than Sturm currently do.
+++ Whistles for Szili +++
Szili is briefly held back by the referee and admonished for repeatedly going too hard and pushing Sturm. The crowd acknowledges this action with whistles. Emotions continue to run high.
+++ Sturm is bleeding +++
Storm is also struggling with his cut in round four. The man from Leverkusen has blood running down his eye – these are difficult conditions.
+++ Opponents give each other nothing +++
It looks like a tough fight. Round three begins with a brief stoppage as Sturm now has an open cut on his forehead
+++ Second round underway +++
The second round has begun. From the first round, Sturm has taken a bruise directly to his temple.
+++Lively start +++
It’s a wild start. Sturm concede a couple of goals from Szili, who is trying hard to break down his opponent’s cover. But the Leverkusen player is now also landing his first goals.
+++ Fists are flying +++
The first ring bell sounds and the two opponents are let loose on each other.
+++Last instructions +++
Istvan Szili has also arrived in the ring. The Hungarian looks very calm and focused. Now the individual boxers are introduced. For Sturm there is loud applause and cheers from the audience.
+++ Enema of the opponents +++
Here we go! The ring announcer raises his voice and invites Felix Sturm to the ring first. The 43-year-old walks in to the sounds of Linkin Park.
+++ The tension is rising +++
While we wait for Felix Sturm’s fight, the fight between Simon Zachenhuber and Maurice Morio took place. Zachenhuber successfully defended his World Junior title.
+++ Vortex in the past years +++
Almost exactly three years ago, when Sturm was arrested at the fitness trade fair FIBO in Cologne, nobody would have given a thought to a renewed world championship fight. Sturm spent more than eight months in pre-trial detention on suspicion of tax evasion. In April 2020, Sturm was sentenced to three years in prison for a violation of the anti-doping law, which also brought him a charge of assault, as well as tax evasion. In the meantime, the sentence has been reduced to two years and four months. It is not yet clear when he will have to serve it. Until then, Sturm is boxing.
+++ Sturm wants to try again +++
The winner of the fight is due to meet British IBO world champion Lerrone Richards in late summer. “If you have the chance to box for the world championship afterwards – I’m 43, Istvan is almost 40 – you will be more motivated than ever in your life. That’s why I take it extremely seriously. He is the most important opponent for me at the moment,” Sturm said about his heavily tattooed opponent.
+++ Welcome +++
Welcome to the live ticker for Felix Sturm’s boxing match against Istvan Szili.
