Boxing In Germany: Sturm vs. Sylvester, Dzinziruk vs. Julio Tonight In Oberhausen

It’s a big night at the fights at the Koenig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen tonight as two world title fights and a massive Argentine puncher headed for the world stage are on tap.

Headlining bout is a massive German showdown between WBA Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm, 30-2-1 (13), defending against current European Champion Sebastian Sylvester, 29-2 (14).

Griefswald based Sylvester lost his first pro bout but then stormed to 21 straight wins and the European title before being stopped by undefeated Finn Amin Asikainen in 2006. Sylvester got back on the horse to win a brace of regional belts before regaining the European crown by stopping Asikainen just over a year since their initial contest.

Since that time the 28 year old “Hurrikan” has defended the Continental trophy three times, knocking out former world light middle and middleweight champion Javier Castillejo in the final round in April during a WBA title eliminator.

Sylvester will be giving up four inches in height to the nearly six foot tall Sturm but may face an even larger gulf to cross in terms of experience. Sturm has the WBO Middleweight titlist in 2003-2004, only losing the belt in controversial fashion to Oscar De La Hoya.

The 29 year old Sturm returned in 2006 to outbox slugger Maselino Masoe for the WBA title, only to lose it on a first defense when stopped in the 10th round by Castillejo. Sturm took a close decision to regain the title a year later in a rematch with the veteran Spaniard.

Sturm has retained the WBA belt four times during his second reign, including a draw against and decision over America’s Randy Griffin, but will have to be in top fitness to stick and move for what will likely turn out to be 12 fast paced rounds against the swarming Sylvester.

WBO Light Middle kingpin Dzinziruk, 35-0 (22), will also have a height advantage over his challenger, Joel Julio, 34-1 (31), the WBO Latino supremo, and like Sturm, is the favorite to retain his title.

32 year old Dzinziruk held the European title for two defenses before shocking WBO Light Middle Champion Daniel Santos in late 2005, dropping the fellow southpaw in the eighth before winning a decision.

Since then the Hamburg based Ukrainian hasn’t been the busiest of champs but has defended the belt four times, most recently win a difficult majority decision win over Lukas Konecny in April.

Miami based Colombian Julio first came to notice during a tough loss to future WBO Welter Champ Carlos Quintana during a WBC/WBO Latino title clash in 2006. The 23 year old slugger has since racked up seven straight victories including hard fought wins against Cosme Rivera, Ishe Smith and Jose Varela.

Like his stablemate Sturm, Dzinziruk will have to avoid trench warfare during this title defense but unlike his stablemate, Dzinziruk faces a much bigger puncher and must avoid trading with Julio.

Argentine light welterweight Marcos Rene Maidana, 24-0 (23), also makes an appearance, staying busy against Mexican veteran Silverio Ortiz, 19-11 (9). The 25 year old from Buenos Aires is nearing a world title shot and will be fighting in Germany for the fifth time over the last 16 months.