April 30, 2007

Photos: Andre Boge

Middleweight Felix Sturm (27-2, 12 KOs) became a three-time world champion on Saturday night, regaining the WBA belt via twelve round unanimous decision against reigning titlist Javier Castillejo (61-7, KOs) at the König-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.

Castillejo, who had stopped Sturm in their previous fight, again tried to be aggressive, but Sturm's movement, clean punching and good defense allowed him to pile up the rounds. The left jab was a particularly effective weapon, keeping Castillejo off balance and setting up solid rights and lefts.

Castillejo applied steady pressure, and upped his aggression down the stretch, however Sturm withstood the late Castillejo surge to win by scores of 116-112, 116-112, 115-113.

Sturm had previously held the WBO middleweight title, which he won in September 2003 against Hector Velazco after stepping in for Bert Schenk on late notice. Nine months later he lost the belt on a very controversial decision to Oscar De La Hoya. Sturm beat Maselino Masoe to win the WBA title in March 2006, but was stung by criticism after he backpedaled to preserve his victory in the late rounds. Four months later, against Castillo in Hamburg, Sturm changed his style, trying to become more of a slugger. Castillejo made him pay, dropping Sturm in round two and finishing him in the tenth.

"One can come out of a defeat stronger than from the 26 previous fights - I have showed this today," Sturm said after avenging the loss to Castillejo. Sturm added that he plans to hold on to the belt for a long time after this.

The classy Castillejo stated after the fight, "Felix was today a true champion. He boxed wonderfully and he is the right winner."

In the co-feature, 6'5 light heavyweight southpaw Stipe Drews (32-1, 13 KOs) dethroned Silvio Branco (55-9-2) by twelve round unanimous decision to claim the WBA light heavyweight title.

As he did when he previously defeated Branco in 2003 for the European title, Drews used his height and long jab to keep Branco at bay. Branco's best moment came at the end of round eight when he appeared to drop Drews, however it was ruled a slip. The scores of 116-113, 116-112, 115-113 seemed about right.

WIBF female featherweight champion Ina Menzer 17-0, 8 KOs) retained her world title for the sixth time with a one-sided unanimous decision over Maria Andrea Miranda (8-2) by scores of 100-90, 99-92, 99-91.

WBC International cruiserweight champion Rudolf Kraj scored a third round TKO over Mauro Adrian Ordiales. Time: 2:12.

Jr. welterweight Willy Blain successfully defended his WBO Intercontinental belt with a 117-111, 116-112, 116-112 unanimous decision over Pablo Andres Godoy.

WBO #1 middleweight contender Khoren Gevor scored a one-sided eight-round unanimous decision over Wilson Rafael Sosa Pintos by scores of 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.

Former WBO interim super middleweight champion Mario Veit shut out Valentin Antonio Ochoa 60-54 on all cards.

Other results:

Patrick Dobroschi KO4
Richard Remen
(light heavyweight)

Pia Mazelanik W4
Monika Petrova
(jr featherweight)