WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm  33-2-1 (14) has been out of the ring for over a year following an acrimonious split between him and his promoters Universum, but now all those issues seem to have been resolved and Sturm returns on September 4th with a bout against Giovanni Lorenzo in Cologne, Germany. In the build-up Felix kindly took some time out to chat with Fightfranchise.com about his upcoming fight and what the future holds.

FF: Hello Felix. After 14 long months the boxing world finally has the WBA middleweight champ back. You next fight on September 4th against Giovanni Lorenzo, who lost very closely to Sebastian Sylvester for the IBF belt last year. You beat Sylvester handily two years ago, so is this guy a warm up opponent for you to see where you stand ?

Felix: Yes exactly. I see it like that. Giovanni is a strong measuring-stick for me. It was important for me to box a man who has good international class, a good position in the international rankings. Lorenzo showed us against Sylvester that he can box and he certainly isn’t travelling to Germany to lose, but I am confident.

FF: Are the legal issues between you and Universum finally finished, and can you now finally just focus on your fights?

Felix: That chapter is closed. We reached an out-of-court agreement and I’m just pleased that I can now concentrate on myself and my boxing.

FF: You have said you intended to promote yourself. However, one also hears that you will work with Arena. What’s the reason for this step? Is it that Arena have a good relationship with Bob Arum and Top Rank, who have amongst others Kelly Pavlik under contract?

Felix: I must clarify this. I am my own manager. (Arena CEO) Ahmet Öner is a friend and adviser. Arena supports me, and put fights on my undercards, but I am my own boss and nothing will change that. It’s true that Arena has very good international contacts though I agree.

FF: How is your weight looking now? And what has been the main focus of your preparation?

Felix: The preparation is in its final stage and I’m now sparring. With my weight I have no problems, and everything’s going to plan so far.

FF: Please explain to us in your own words about Giovanni Lorenzo. What is his biggest strength and what, if anything, makes him dangerous for you?

Felix: Giovanni is a typical Latino. Good technical schooling, with a fighting heart and unbreakable will. He is ready to give all to win this fight. I believe that he will start very aggressively. Maybe he’ll want to come in close to try to hurt me, but he’ll realise very quickly that it wont be an easy task.

FF: Now to your future. Is a fight between you and Kelly Pavlik possible, or realistic, seeing as he has gone up to super middleweight. Is it conceivable that you will also step up to 168lbs in the future?

Felix: One of the reasons I left my old promoters(Universum) was that they could not secure the big fights. I want to fight against the best to prove myself. Kelly is still a big name after his defeat to Martinez,  but he’s one of many on my list. Also, I wont necessarily stay at middleweight no. I’m proud to be a three-time middleweight champ, but in the big fights you see the weight classes are just a secondary thing. What’s more important is that the best fighters fight each other.

FF: One question that will follow you in your career is this one. The fight between you and Arthur Abraham would be the Fight of the Century here in Germany.  At the moment Abraham’s in the Super Six Tournament, but what are the chances of a clash between you and Abraham in maybe 1 ½ – 2 years, to find out who really is the best in Germany?

Felix: I’ve said in the past that I would fight Arthur, and I believe he would fight too. That would be the biggest fight of all time here in Germany, the fight Germany wants to see. We will see, maybe he loses and retires prematurely in the qualifying round and we can make the fight maybe next year. I am ready anyway.

FF: One last thing. There’s one guy that is desperate for a rematch with you. He told me last year in an interview that he was robbed of the title. I’m talking about Khoren Gevor. He told me that you are a chicken not to fight him again.. that you wouldn’t give him a second chance. That somebody with a broken jaw and swollen ear would search high and low for an opponent before giving Khoren another chance. What is your reply to that?

Felix: This is below my level. In my eyes I beat Khoren clearly, plus he lost his last fight against Sartison. He must earn his chance if he is to get a shot. I’ve said it before, I will fight the best in the World, and Khoren does not belong there at this time.

FF: Felix, thank you for your time and we wish you all the best for the future.

Felix: Thank you, and you’re welcome!

Get involved and ask your own questions!!
Dear members of Fight Franchise, I’m very glad to tell you that I have a press card for this coming event and special credit goes to Malte Müller Michaelis, the press chief from Arena.

Now, we at Fight Franchise go our own way with our own ideas. For that reason we have decided that if you, yes you, the reader, have a question for Felix Sturm let us know. Send us your question and after the fight I will interview Felix again.

Your job is to write your question and email it to questions@fightfranchise.com

We may also have the chance to have a live chat with Felix Sturm after the event, or with Yuriorkis Gamboa or Odlanier Solis or Erislandy Lara. We need your feedback on whether you’d like to chat live and exclusively with fighters here on FF.

Be a part of it! By the people for the people!

Whoah!

Your memzero, in love for this great sport.

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