According to Dan Rafael of espn.con, IBF Middleweight champion Felix Sturm will defend his belt against Sam Soliman in a rematch in May 31 in Krefed, Germany.
Soliman, of Australia, got knocked down in the second round but went on to win the world title elimination bout on Sturm’s turf in Dusseldorf, Germany. Soliman won by unanimous decision on scores of 116-111, 114-113 and 114-113, but after the fight he tested positive for a banned substance. The result of the bout was changed to a no decision, and Soliman was suspended for nine months by the German Boxing Federation
“This fight really hurt,” Sturm said of the first meeting with Soliman. “It was heartbreaking. I don’t care that he doped. That’s not an excuse for me. I want to erase all doubts; I want to show the world that I’m by far the superior fighter. I didn’t train like I should have before the first fight. That won’t happen again. I promise I will keep my world title.”
“Getting a world title bout is like climbing Mt. Everest,” he said. “It’s taken me 23 years. You get to base camp and line up at the foot of the summit for your turn to conquer the peak. I’ve paid my dues and I’m ready. I couldn’t have said that five years ago, but now I can. I’m fighting smarter, and I’m jumping out of my skin to hear the referee say, ‘Seconds out.’
“My mission is to bring the IBF middleweight world title back to Australia. This is the title I have been chasing, taking my chances, and earning my No. 1 contender position. A little over 12 months ago I went over to Germany and beat Felix, winning that fight in a unanimous decision. I am under no illusions about the task ahead. I know Felix is going to be more prepared and ready for me this time, but I and my team also learned a lot from our last bout.”
