Matthew Macklin v Felix Sturm, WBA 'Super' title, Lanxess Arena, Cologne - 25 June

BoxingIrel.com

Now that its officially signed I think it needs it own build-up thread.

Hopefully all the media and Irish fight fans get behind him. Supposedly Cologne is a cracking weekend away as well.

We will probably look to but together some sort of package with flights, hotels and tickets so if you are interested in going just let me know.

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With the defeats of Casey, McCloskey and Magee in recent "world title" fights, Matthew Macklin again plays the role of underdog as he travels to Germany and aims to restore some pride by taking the WBA Super title from Armenian born champion Felix Sturm.

http://www.boxing-ireland.com/20110428_macklin_sturm_34.html

fatgav

What would be the best ways to get there?

slapbangwallop

fatgav wrote: »

What would be the best ways to get there?

We will put together packages leaving from Shannon and Dublin. Will let you know details soon!

yabadabado

Dublin to Dusseldorf is probably the best way to go,direct flight with aer Lingus and then get a train to Cologne.The train journey is about 40mins.German wings fly into cologne from dublin for the summer months aswel but the plane+train option will be cheaper.

slapbangwallop

we went over and caught up with Macklin the other night -

slapbangwallop

slapbangwallop

How come when I try to embed YouTube links it doesnt work properly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6M6-gmwBPM

[YOUTUBE]i6M6-gmwBPM[/YOUTUBE]

Joe Musashi

"Felix Sturm", real name Adnan Catic, is actually a Bosniak like Muamer Hukic also known as "Marco Huck".
According to wikipedia, Sturm was born and raised in Germany.

makl

slapbangwallop wrote: »

How come when I try to embed YouTube links it doesnt work properly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6M6-gmwBPM

[YOUTUBE]i6M6-gmwBPM[/YOUTUBE]

i been havin the same issue

nacho libre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6M6-gmwBPM

Put everything after the = sign, on a youtube link, between the you tube tags.

joepenguin

Sturm caught up in legal dispute with arena box:

http://www.boxingscene.com/felix-sturm-ahmet-oner-legal-war-explodes-over-money--38652

yabadabado

joepenguin wrote: »

Sturm caught up in legal dispute with arena box:

http://www.boxingscene.com/felix-sturm-ahmet-oner-legal-war-explodes-over-money--38652

suppose Macklin has had fights postponed for everthing else so this is a new one.hope this goes ahead

slapbangwallop

yabadabado wrote: »

suppose Macklin has had fights postponed for everthing else so this is a new one.hope this goes ahead

dont even joke about things like that. I've already booked NON REFUNDABLE flights and hotel

slapbangwallop

just off the phone to Macklin. Internal money wranglings and will in no way effect the fight.

yabadabado

slapbangwallop wrote: »

dont even joke about things like that. I've already booked NON REFUNDABLE flights and hotel

who you flying with ?we are thinking of doing saturday to monday.Will he get much goin over.

slapbangwallop

yabadabado wrote: »

who you flying with ?we are thinking of doing saturday to monday.Will he get much goin over.

I'm flying Germanwings from Manchester for £100. Out on the friday and back sunday. He reckons he will do half of that it would be great. Lot of guys saying it's cheaper and easier to fly into Dusseldorf and get the train to cologne. Cologne is supposed to be a cracking night out.

yabadabado

slapbangwallop wrote: »

I'm flying Germanwings from Manchester for £100. Out on the friday and back sunday. He reckons he will do half of that it would be great. Lot of guys saying it's cheaper and easier to fly into Dusseldorf and get the train to cologne. Cologne is supposed to be a cracking night out.

Yeah we gonna go thru dusseldorf.train to cologne is about 40mins.heard cologne is decent spot ,hopefully he gets a result.

slapbangwallop

Guys if anyone wants tickets in the "Macklin block" along with other Irish fans just send me a PM with you name and the number of tickets you might be looking for.

yabadabado

booked this today going out friday back monday.C'mon Mack.

slapbangwallop

yabadabado wrote: »

booked this today going out friday back monday.C'mon Mack.

Good stuff. Hope u didnt book yer tickets to the fight yet because Macklin has just ordered two blocks and we'll have them available soon along with a deal on hotels.

yabadabado

slapbangwallop wrote: »

Good stuff. Hope u didnt book yer tickets to the fight yet because Macklin has just ordered two blocks and we'll have them available soon along with a deal on hotels.

no tickets booked, one of the lads sorts it out from macklin ,same for the hotel.

Barlivia

Anyone know if sky are picking this up?

yabadabado

I reckon they will have it ,no mention of yet.

Barlivia

yabadabado wrote: »

I reckon they will have it ,no mention of yet.

They seem to be picking up a few fights on a one off basis lately so hopefully the hattons can get sky to show it

califano

Is this really on?. How come theres no betting for it anywhere?. They even have prices for fights further down the line priced up.

yabadabado

rounders123 wrote: »

Is this really on?. How come theres no betting for it anywhere?. They even have prices for fights further down the line priced up.

What site do u use? Have seen prices,Sturm is best price of 1/2 and Macklin is best price at 9/4.

califano

yabadabado wrote: »

What site do u use? Have seen prices,Sturm is best price of 1/2 and Macklin is best price at 9/4.

Betfair,Paddypower, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Stan James. None of these main players have prices. Even Oddschecker doesnt have prices as far as i can see and they cover every major bookmakers prices.
Where are you getting those prices?
Imnot believeing this fight is on until i see prices.

It is listed on the stadiums website so im satisfied its happening now!. Nice!
http://www.zvents.com/z/cologne-germany/felix-sturm-vs--matthew-macklin--events--185158486

slapbangwallop

Well its definately on because Macklin was at the presser in Germany yesterday - seems he went down pretty well as well!

http://boxing-ireland.com/20110215_boxing_awards_casey_boty_44.html

But **** me, Sturm is MASSIVE!!!

yabadabado

http://www.oddschecker.com/boxing/felix-sturm-v-matthew-macklin/winner

slapbangwallop

Ticket and hotel details on boxing-Ireland.com now

slapbangwallop

5 weeks and the chance to have more champions than the Coolmore Stud at Gallaghers Gym!

The pressure is on and the boys are lapping it up.

So here is a wee video I did of Macklin being put through his paces today.

Interview to follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sgBNz5zc5I

davegrohl48

Do other people think Macklin is way underpriced for this fight, I mean his odds should be way shorter?
Sturm is taller and slimmer and Macklin has a good chin. So I don't see how Sturm can keep Macklin back off him with the jab. Eventually Macklin will get close and Macklin looks much physically stronger and has much more punch power. I just don't see Sturm having the punch power to overly trouble Macklin.
Personally I think Macklin should not box in this fight but should turn it into an all action brawl with his hands up. Walk him down with his hands up and then wail away at mid range. I think Macklin wins that type of a fight all ends up. Hands up just to ward off Sturms jab.
Macklin has a loss on his resume to Jamie Moore, but that weight was a bit light for someone with Macklins frame.

slapbangwallop

davegrohl48

Great photograph that thanks for that.

Really shows Macklins muscular development, I think he has stepped up a bit and got even leaner at 11 stone 7lbs. Looks to be all muscle. He really is built for power, can really snap into the right hand with that stocky frame.

I watched Macklin - Elcock tonight to check that fight, very impressed with Macklins finishing abilities. Fought a very steady fight defensively and offensively against a taller opponent with a decent jab. When he got him in trouble he then unleashed the beast.
That style seems to suit Macklin to a tee. I suppose when you go all out action like the Moore fight (leaving aside weight issues) you lose power in your power shots as yer draining yer energy with missed and scuffed shots.
Really looking forward to this fight to see how Sturm deals with the Macklin overhand right. If he can land it early it will have Sturm backing up I think. If Sturm is backing up it should take away the effectiveness of his jab.

Jaysoose

davegrohl48 wrote: »

Do other people think Macklin is way underpriced for this fight, I mean his odds should be way shorter?
Sturm is taller and slimmer and Macklin has a good chin. So I don't see how Sturm can keep Macklin back off him with the jab. Eventually Macklin will get close and Macklin looks much physically stronger and has much more punch power. I just don't see Sturm having the punch power to overly trouble Macklin.
Personally I think Macklin should not box in this fight but should turn it into an all action brawl with his hands up. Walk him down with his hands up and then wail away at mid range. I think Macklin wins that type of a fight all ends up. Hands up just to ward off Sturms jab.
Macklin has a loss on his resume to Jamie Moore, but that weight was a bit light for someone with Macklins frame.

i think the only issue with macklins price is he pretty much has to stop sturm as its in germany so if you fancy a punt you may aswell back him by ko/tko as if it goes to the cards he is fooked.

davegrohl48

Cards would be a tough win for Macklin as every little scuffed jab will be a big cheer for Sturm. That always results in points.
I'm still not overly impressed by Sturms work rate or punch output. I think if Macklin moves to his own right, Sturm will be open over his left jab to the right hand. I'd like to see Macklin box and evade to be leading towards hard right hands. When Sturm comes forward in late rounds he looks wide open, he's not the most agile being a tall man. Macklin should have the advantage in first step.

slapbangwallop

Here is the interview from our visit to Gallaghers Gym

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70eUaG0lKc

Apanachi

Can't see Macklin winning this fight (hope he does though)

Jaysoose

Apanachi wrote: »

Can't see Macklin winning this fight (hope he does though)

Have to agree here its a big ask for macklin to get sturm out of there and he needs to pressure and connect early to get sturms attention.

davegrohl48

Well I'll plump for a Macklin stoppage. Though Sturm must have some sort of a decent chin if he has come all this way as champion. But I seen he was taken the distance by Sebastien Sylwester. I seen Sylwester recently on tv and it was another of those European snoozefests, y'know the ones. Two guys straight on toeing back and forth like they've chewing gum stuck to their shoes. You just don't see much pace or spring in these fights. Lot o the fighters look a bit shop worn as if they no longer possess the reflexes to avoid simple jab 1 - 2's.
I'd like to see Macklins guard up a bit higher than some previous fights though.
I think if a blown up Oscar beats him a few years ago (I'v seen worse decisions), then prime Macklin beats him.

Jayob10

davegrohl48 wrote: »

Well I'll plump for a Macklin stoppage. Though Sturm must have some sort of a decent chin if he has come all this way as champion. But I seen he was taken the distance by Sebastien Sylwester. I seen Sylwester recently on tv and it was another of those European snoozefests, y'know the ones. Two guys straight on toeing back and forth like they've chewing gum stuck to their shoes. You just don't see much pace or spring in these fights. Lot o the fighters look a bit shop worn as if they no longer possess the reflexes to avoid simple jab 1 - 2's.
I'd like to see Macklins guard up a bit higher than some previous fights though.
I think if a blown up Oscar beats him a few years ago (I'v seen worse decisions), then prime Macklin beats him.

The thing is though, Oscar didn't really beat him. that was one of the most ridiculous decisions i've seen in a boxing ring. Sturm won that fight.

Sturm is a better boxer than Macklin. Macklin whilst exciting to watch against C level competition is just to easy to hit. We tend to overrate him in Ireland to be honest.

This is a nailed on unanimous decision for Sturm. Macklin is just not versatile enough i'm afraid. And as I said before, he is far too easy to hit.

davegrohl48

Sturm has fought alot of guys with the wrong birth date though, back into the 60's and early 70's. His pacing and fitness in competitive action has been against older guys or slow plodders. Macklin has at least fought guys who had the stamina to push hard for ten rounds. I think it could be key. Sturm might not have another gear to go to when the pace catches up with them both in the second half of the fight.
Re: the Oscar fight, the compubox stats for that fight had Oscar landing around 80% of what Sturm landed. Given Sturms favourite punch is the jab, and he ain't heavy handed, yes he deserved it but not a robbery. Plus De la Hoya was busier with a higher punch count by near 200 punches.
Kenny Egan, Roy Jones, Dirrel v Froch, those had punch counts way way unfairer than that. I'v seen a message or two suggesting Egan wasn't robbed by the way in the Olympic final, that was one clear robbery. No video to show it though.

Jayob10

davegrohl48 wrote: »

Sturm has fought alot of guys with the wrong birth date though, back into the 60's and early 70's. His pacing and fitness in competitive action has been against older guys or slow plodders. Macklin has at least fought guys who had the stamina to push hard for ten rounds. I think it could be key. Sturm might not have another gear to go to when the pace catches up with them both in the second half of the fight.
Re: the Oscar fight, the compubox stats for that fight had Oscar landing around 80% of what Sturm landed. Given Sturms favourite punch is the jab, and he ain't heavy handed, yes he deserved it but not a robbery. Plus De la Hoya was busier with a higher punch count by near 200 punches.
Kenny Egan, Roy Jones, Dirrel v Froch, those had punch counts way way unfairer than that. I'v seen a message or two suggesting Egan wasn't robbed by the way in the Olympic final, that was one clear robbery. No video to show it though.

take a look at Oscars face after that fight, and then take a look at Sturm's

Oscar was busy but he landed shag all. Sturm jabbed the head off him when he did let his hands go and he landed most of the power shots too.

we'll see how Matthew fairs, I hope he pulls it out of the bag. But I just don't see him having the versatility to open up Sturm's defence. I can see him getting impatient when its not working for him and leaving himself open to stiff jabs and uppercuts. One thing about Sturm is that he has an excellent uppercut.

yabadabado

Has freddie Roach got anything to do with Macklin now or is he back with joe gallagher full time?

joepenguin

Joes training him full time. The Wild card would have been awesome for sparring but Gallaghers gym is buzzing at the mo and Joe himself is a very good trainer. Anyone see the piece on ringside tonight? Didnt really feature Macklin much but gave a glimpse into training at Gallaghers gym where Joe put Jamie Moore through his paces.

walshb

Yes, Joe, that was a good clip on the training in that gym. Quite intense, as would be expected. I see Paul Smith there. Still going strong. Good fighter.
Ringside was interesting tonight.

yabadabado

joepenguin wrote: »

Joes training him full time. The Wild card would have been awesome for sparring but Gallaghers gym is buzzing at the mo and Joe himself is a very good trainer. Anyone see the piece on ringside tonight? Didnt really feature Macklin much but gave a glimpse into training at Gallaghers gym where Joe put Jamie Moore through his paces.

yeah saw the clip .did it not work out with roach ,i would imagine it would be tough to get proper training time with Roach with the bigger names in the gym.Gallaghers seems to be a good set up.

Boooourns

I don't think Roach was to keen on Matthew, when Macklin broke his nose in sparring over there Freddy wasn't happy with the shot he got caught by, he was basically saying his defence was sh*te.

Big Ears

jonnyhips wrote: »

Little bit from Macklin after an Irish Media work out!

http://www.irish-boxing.com/2011/06/macklin-ready-to-beat-the-strum-final-media-work-out/

he looked fit, relaxed and had some serious sparring

Jonny I understand you've misspelt Sturm's name for the purpose of the headline, but why have you continued to spell it like that throughout the article ?

slapbangwallop

Big Ears wrote: »

Jonny I understand you've misspelt Sturm's name for the purpose of the headline, but why have you continued to spell it like that throughout the article ?

probably an autocorrect, pesky things!

jonnyhips

Big Ears wrote: »

Jonny I understand you've misspelt Sturm's name for the purpose of the headline, but why have you continued to spell it like that throughout the article ?

ah im dyslexic! dnt see some of these mistakes! esp u's i dnt know were to put them