Geale's bodywork seemed to trouble Barker, and he was even dropped pretty solidly by Geale with a body shot... Who honestly isn't much of a puncher. I don't think Barker takes it to the body particularly well, which is a weakness multiplied by his mediocre, though not awful, stamina. When Sturm lets his hands go to the body he can deliver pretty sickening shots. Hurtful shots that can put guys down. Sturm has struggled in the past few years against high work rate guys who have smothered him, made him uncomfortable, put him into a shell. He's prone to clamming up against high activity fighters. When Sturm is comfortable and he lets his hands go he's actually kind of dangerous. So, thoughts? Is the bodywork aspect something that team Sturm noticed, hence why they wanted the fight so badly? Misc thoughts on the match are more than welcome.
Maybe. Sergio really wore him down with those dangerous left hands he throws to the gut. There seems to be a pattern of Barker being durable upstairs but vulnerable to the body, like Kessler and Maidana as well.
Yeah, my thoughts as well. Some fighters just don't take it well to the body. For a P4P level fighter, for example, I don't see Pacquiao being particularly durable to the body for example. He was badly hurt by the select few bodyshots Margarito landed on him. He afterwards said he was laid up in bed "in the fetal position" for days. Marquez hurt him to the body, which is what dropped his hands resulting in the first knockdown of the fight, from a right hand from left field. He was also stopped against Singsurat by a bodyshot, and was in one of his hardest fights ever against the body work expert that was Nedal Hussein.
I think Sturm will beat Barker, but it's a 50/50 fight at the moment. I give Sturm the edge...................Golovkin has been trying to get a fight with either one, if he does he will knock either one out easily.............
I just hope Barker takes Sturm seriously and doesn't half-heartedly go into this fight with that rematch clause on his mind. I get the impression that Sturm wants it more.
Barker should be confident after the Geale win, I can see Barker's generally high work rate being too much for Sturm. As long as he keeps the pressure on Sturm and doesn't allow Sturm much time to use his jab and pick his shots, keep on him as Sturm cannot deal with pressure. I reckon Barker will win a wide points decision.
