Felix Sturm retains his WBA middleweight title - he defeats Randy Griffin in heated rematch

The Universum fighters showed an impressive performance in front of a enthusiastic crowd of 5.500 at the GERRY WEBER Stadion in Halle/Westfalen
 
Felix Sturm und Randy Griffin both started the rematch fight much more aggressive then in their first meeting in October 2007 at the GERRY WEBER STADION in HalleWestfalen. At that time Sturm kept the belt after a spectacular 12 round battle with a draw.
 
This time it was clear. WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm (30-2-1, 13 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Randy Griffin (24-2-3, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Gerry Weber Stadion in Halle/Westfalen, Germany. Both fighters came determined to be more aggressive than they were in their first encounter last October, which ended in a draw. Early rounds were competitive and close. Griffin was faster and busier, but Sturm's defense was good and when he landed, the shots were cleaner. Griffin picked up the pace midway through the fight, which suited Sturm, a natural counter-puncher, just fine. The champion had a big round eleven and closed the show with a hard combination to punctuate his 116-113, 116-112, 118-100 victory.
 
WBO Intercontinental super middleweight titleholder Karoly Balzsay (19-0, 14 KOs) scored a nice fifth round knockout over Jose Alberto Clavero (28-7-1, 14 KOs). Time was 2:17. Balzsay celebrated his second title defence of his WBO Interconti belt.
 
WBO Intercontinental middleweight titleholder Sebastian Zbik (23-0, 9 KOs) scored an impressive second round TKO over Mario Alberto Lopez (22-5, 19 KOs). Lopez was down twice. Time was 2:38.
 
EU super featherweight titleholder Vitali Tajbert (16-0, 6 KOs) outworked his Portuguese challenger Antonio Joao Bento (20-7-2, 10 KOs) over twelve to take a 119-110, 119-110, 120-108 win.
 
No problems for unbeaten heavyweight Denis Boytsov (22-0, 18 KOs) who dominated Fernely Feliz (23-8, 16 KOs) pounding out a shutdown over ten: 100-90 on all cards.
 
Light heavyweight Patrick Dobroschi moved to 7-0, 2 KOs with a four round nod over Lubo Hantak (1-23). Scores 40-36, 40-36, 40-36.
 
All Results:
 
WBA World Championship Middleweight (12 Rounds)
Felix Sturm (GER) vs. Randy Griffin (USA)
PTS: 116:113, 116:112, 118:110
 
WBO Inter-Continental Championship Super Middleweight (12 Rounds)
Karoly Balzsay (HUN) vs. Jose Alberto Clavero (ARG)
W KO, Rd. 5, 2’17
 
WBO Inter-Continental Championship Middleweight (12 Rounds)
Sebastian Zbik (GER) vs. Mario Alberto Lopez (PAR)
W TKO, Rd. 2, 2’38
 
EU Championship Super Featherweight (12 Rounds)
Vitali Tajbert (GER) vs. Antonio Joao Bento (POR)
W PTS: 119:11, 119:110, 120:108
 
Heavyweight (10 Rounds)
Denis Boytsov (RUS) vs. Fernely Feliz (DOM)
W PTS 100:90, 100:90, 100:90
 
Light Heavyweight (4 Rounds)
Patrick Dobroschi (GER) vs. Lubo Hantak (SLK)
W PTS: 40:36, 40:36, 40:36