Boxing In Germany: Felix Sturm, Stipe Drews Win WBA Titles

In a classic night of rematches in Oberhausen, Germany, both Felix Sturm and Stipe Drews delivered in spades to defeat men they had previously been mastered by and won WBA world titles in the process.

Sturm, 27-2 (12), of Hamburg, Germany was widely expected to defend his middleweight crown last year against aging former WBC Light Middle champ Javier Castillejo but was shocked via a tenth round stoppage.

This time the 28 year old German turned in a much sharper effort, conserving energy and making Castillejo, 61-7 (41), of Madrid, Spain put in maximum effort over the 12 long rounds.

However, even at 39 years of age, Castillejo still had a few surprises up his sleeve for the youger man but Sturm was judged to have won by ringside officials via scores of 116-112 (twice) and 115-114.

Chief support saw 6 foot 5 inch Stipe Drews, 32-1 (13), unseat 40 year old Silvio Branco, 55-9-2 (34), in a rematch to their initial contest in 2003.

The storied and proud career of Branco may have finally run it’s course as the Italian was simply unable to negate the tremendous advantage in height and youth of his 33 year Croatian rival.