How do Sturm and Abraham get away with such shitty title defenses?

[Kev]

Sturm's opponents must be the worst of any fighter from a known division. Has anyone ever even heard of Randy Griffin, Noe Tulio Alcoba, Gavin Topp, Maseline Masoe and Jorge Sendra?

He's fucking useless and should be stripped of his title for bringing the WBA into disrepute.

And Arthur Abraham isn't much better. Since his war with Edison Miranda he's made it perfectly clear he intends to just sit on his belt for as long as possible by fighting club fighters. I mean come on, Alvin Ayala, Wayne Elcock, Koren Gevor. At least Sebastian Demer's was unbeaten at the time I guess but still this is poor opposition, not as bad as Sturm but it still sucks.

How in the world does he think he can get away with Alvin Ayala? At least Cotto and Calzaghe took on Contenders who did well on the show. Ayala didn't even make the series and lost twice to David Banks before earning a draw against Mora, who fought a career worst performance that night.

This must be the first time I can recall a man winning a world title shot off the back of two defeats and a draw.

It's not even like Ayalah is a name, it's just a bizarre choice of opponent.

Why not fight Sebastian Slyvestor or each other? These two belt holders, they cannot be called champions, are just dead wood in the middleweight ranks. They will never fight Kelly Pavlik, they will most likely never even fight each other.

They just contribute nothing to the middleweight division In Sturm's case I can understand as he's shit and will lost the second he fights a top 10 ranked guy but Abraham is talented. He could make some good money stateside and give Pavlik a hell of a fight.

But instead he wants to stay fighting in Europe against nobodies.

[Fenster]

Because they earn great dough in Germany.. which obviously means they don't have to travel

[bzkfn]

Sturm has let his career faulter and has never really realised any potential. Since Castillejo KO'ed him, he has seemed too cautious and is scared to commit. He has talent, but I think he lacks confidence now.

Abraham will step up. He's pretty much the #2 in the division right now and has stated he intends to unify this year. He's mentioned Pavlik at the end of the year so here's hoping something materialises.

[JohnnyKickAss]

Well... I'm a fan of both guys,but that doesn't mean that I'm happy with the choice of opponents they fought...Both have the stuff to be worthy champions,its just a shame that their management isn't as confident as I am about that...and so they let them fight one voluntary defense after another...Thats not exactly true,Sturm fought Randy Griffin and AA fought Khoren Gevor last year and both were mandatory...
But there is a ray of hope...Sturm will face next the winner of Castillejo vs Sylvester(and yeah I know Casti again ?!?But lets not forget even being old as he is...he is a highly ranked middleweight and rightly so...)and its looks like AA will fight on 7th of june already again in Madison Square Garden...


And to be fair,who besides Pavlik has covered himself with glory in the middleweight division lately...?!?

[Kev]

Well... I'm a fan of both guys,but that doesn't mean that I'm happy with the choice of opponents they fought...Both have the stuff to be worthy champions,its just a shame that their management isn't as confident as I am about that...and so they let them fight one voluntary defense after another...Thats not exactly true,Sturm fought Randy Griffin and AA fought Khoren Gevor last year and both were mandatory...
But there is a ray of hope...Sturm will face next the winner of Castillejo vs Sylvester(and yeah I know Casti again ?!?But lets not forget even being old as he is...he is a highly ranked middleweight and rightly so...)and its looks like AA will fight on 7th of june already again in Madison Square Garden...


And to be fair,who besides Pavlik has covered himself with glory in the middleweight division lately...?!?

I guess but at least Pavlik and Taylor before him were fighting relevant fights. Say what you like about Taylor but that guy did take on all comers.










Most think he lost to all of them but that is besides the point

[BoxingGorilla]

I was thinking the same thing when I was selecting the (STAR) fight this week. I almost put it on Ouma Vs. K-9 but couldn't bring myself to do it.

[Kev]

I was thinking the same thing when I was selecting the (STAR) fight this week. I almost put it on Ouma Vs. K-9 but couldn't bring myself to do it.

Yeah it will take a brave man to put anything other than Abraham KO in that fight. I guess the interesting part will be to see how many people have a go at picking the round.

It's a horrible star fight imo as someone is bound to get a 30 point haul out of it but I realise you had no other choice.

I've got a sneaking feeling that this will be the week that Welsh Devil bounces back with a 60 point haul.

[CutMeMick]

Both Abraham and Sturm have said for about a year that they will fight in the US.... Well?

If they are happy fighting over there then so be it. But it's hard to be recognized as a major star and or the legit champion of a div. when your oppostion is made up of un-rated fighters and no-names....

[Fenster]

To be fair, why the fuck would Sturm wanna go back to the US for a fight?

And who's gonna pay him to get shafted.. again?

[Violent Demise]

It's pretty simple why Abraham and Sturm go out there way to avoid live threats. They fight live threats, they lose there titles.

[Deanrw]

Sturm's opponents must be the worst of any fighter from a known division. Has anyone ever even heard of Randy Griffin, Noe Tulio Alcoba, Gavin Topp, Maseline Masoe and Jorge Sendra?

He's fucking useless and should be stripped of his title for bringing the WBA into disrepute.

And Arthur Abraham isn't much better. Since his war with Edison Miranda he's made it perfectly clear he intends to just sit on his belt for as long as possible by fighting club fighters. I mean come on, Alvin Ayala, Wayne Elcock, Koren Gevor. At least Sebastian Demer's was unbeaten at the time I guess but still this is poor opposition, not as bad as Sturm but it still sucks.

How in the world does he think he can get away with Alvin Ayala? At least Cotto and Calzaghe took on Contenders who did well on the show. Ayala didn't even make the series and lost twice to David Banks before earning a draw against Mora, who fought a career worst performance that night.

This must be the first time I can recall a man winning a world title shot off the back of two defeats and a draw.

It's not even like Ayalah is a name, it's just a bizarre choice of opponent.

Why not fight Sebastian Slyvestor or each other? These two belt holders, they cannot be called champions, are just dead wood in the middleweight ranks. They will never fight Kelly Pavlik, they will most likely never even fight each other.

They just contribute nothing to the middleweight division In Sturm's case I can understand as he's shit and will lost the second he fights a top 10 ranked guy but Abraham is talented. He could make some good money stateside and give Pavlik a hell of a fight.

But instead he wants to stay fighting in Europe against nobodies.

You pull no punches here Bilbo....but maybe you are pulling punches. Just imagine what Miranda would be saying about them if he was still in the Middleweight division!hehe I chuckle just thinking of the possibilities.

[Kev]

Sturm's opponents must be the worst of any fighter from a known division. Has anyone ever even heard of Randy Griffin, Noe Tulio Alcoba, Gavin Topp, Maseline Masoe and Jorge Sendra?

He's fucking useless and should be stripped of his title for bringing the WBA into disrepute.

And Arthur Abraham isn't much better. Since his war with Edison Miranda he's made it perfectly clear he intends to just sit on his belt for as long as possible by fighting club fighters. I mean come on, Alvin Ayala, Wayne Elcock, Koren Gevor. At least Sebastian Demer's was unbeaten at the time I guess but still this is poor opposition, not as bad as Sturm but it still sucks.

How in the world does he think he can get away with Alvin Ayala? At least Cotto and Calzaghe took on Contenders who did well on the show. Ayala didn't even make the series and lost twice to David Banks before earning a draw against Mora, who fought a career worst performance that night.

This must be the first time I can recall a man winning a world title shot off the back of two defeats and a draw.

It's not even like Ayalah is a name, it's just a bizarre choice of opponent.

Why not fight Sebastian Slyvestor or each other? These two belt holders, they cannot be called champions, are just dead wood in the middleweight ranks. They will never fight Kelly Pavlik, they will most likely never even fight each other.

They just contribute nothing to the middleweight division In Sturm's case I can understand as he's shit and will lost the second he fights a top 10 ranked guy but Abraham is talented. He could make some good money stateside and give Pavlik a hell of a fight.

But instead he wants to stay fighting in Europe against nobodies.

You pull no punches here Bilbo....but maybe you are pulling punches. Just imagine what Miranda would be saying about them if he was still in the Middleweight division!hehe I chuckle just thinking of the possibilities.

Yeah say one thing about Miranda, he may not ever be a belt holder but he's a champion, he'll fight anybody anywhere.

[CutMeMick]

To be fair, why the fuck would Sturm wanna go back to the US for a fight?

And who's gonna pay him to get shafted.. again?

Fens if that was the case then they need to grow some balls.

Sturms not the 1st fighter to loose a fight in that manner and he wont be the last. He doesn't hurt me or the sport I don't think anyone missing out on Sturm not fighting again out here. If he's making good money out there then good for him. But he wont get recognition fighting only out there and that type of opposition.

Some people think Miranda got jobbed but I bet you Miranda would jump allover if Joe gave him a shot at the titles in Wales.
Cause that's what fighters do they fight.

[Deanrw]

I have a funny feeling that Bute is going to be going the same thing. Fighting mainly in Montreal against fringe guys. I don;t blame the fighters, but their handlers simply look at them as an investment they need to protect. It is a shame really.

[CutMeMick]

I have a funny feeling that Bute is going to be going the same thing. Fighting mainly in Montreal against fringe guys. I don;t blame the fighters, but their handlers simply look at them as an investment they need to protect. It is a shame really.

Butes a good fighter and if the fight comes off he better be ready for Librado Andrade.

This past weekend after Andrade got the stoppage Andrade smilied to the camera looked into it and said: "Hello to Canada, I love you"

Already knowing and willing to travel for the fight. You gotta love that.